The new museum commemorates the life and work of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, and his legacy which is celebrated around the world.
The museum, run by the National Trust for Scotland, is made up of several sites which together tell the story of the man, his ideas and beliefs and above all, his poetry and verse.
Burns Cottage
The "Auld Clay Biggin" (the old clay building) where Burns was born on 25th January 1759 is the start of the journey. Here is where the seeds of inspiration were sown.The cottage was built by Burns' father, William, and has been restored to show what his home was like when Burns lived there from 1759 - 1768.
There is the original recessed bed where his mother, Agnes Burns, gave birth, the spence, the "best room" where Robert Burns' teacher John Murdoch, taught him his lessons, the fire beside which Burns sat and listened to his father read from the Bible or to his mother's cousin, Betty Davidson, telling tales of witches and mysterious goings-on. And throughout the day as his mother worked at making cheese or tending the cow, she hummed and sang tunes from her girlhood which Robert would remember when he came to set his verses to music.
From these humble beginnings came a poet whose poetry and songs are known around the world.
The New Burns Museum
The new Museum gives plenty of opportunities for the visitor to listen to his works, either at listening posts beside exhibits telling the story of particular poems, or broadcast every hour and sung by Eddi Reader and others. Information about the exhibits is written using both Scots and English, as Robert Burns did, and a glossary is supplied for those not acquainted with the Scots tongue.
The original manuscripts are there, in Burns' flowing cursive script with his amendments and drafts; his travelling inkwell and pen kit which allowed him to stop and write whenever an idea struck him; a fragment of his wife, Jean Armour's black silk wedding dress; a cast of his skull taken after his death.
Many of the displays are interactive and visitors can learn about Burns' radical ideas while later in his life, he took the government's shilling and became an exciseman. They can make a silhouette of themselves which can be emailed home, or participate in a Burns' supper game. And all they time, they are steeped in his songs and verse.
A section of the museum deals with his world-wide fame and the reasons behind it; why his verse speaks to people of many nations and how his fame has spread and sometimes degenerated into a haggis eating, whisky drinking melee once a year at Burns' Suppers on his birthday.
Tam o' Shanter
His tale of witches and the effects of the demon drink, Tam o' Shanter, can be listened to or read in the museum. Two of the places mentioned in it are just across the way; Alloway's old ruined kirk (church) where Tam watched the comely witch, Cutty Sark, dancing to the devil's music (and where incidentally, Burns' parents are buried), and the Auld Brig o' Doon (the old bridge) where Tam's trusty mare, Meg, lost her tail to the witch.
Official Opening of the Burns Museum
The official opening of the Burns Museum on January 23rd will be carried out by Provost Winifred Sloan of Ayr and there will be a variety of street events and music and of course, a pipe band throughout the day. There are events for children too, including party fun and games and face painting, and small animal handling at Burns' Cottage. A 5k walk around landmarks associated with Robert Burns will raise money for Ayrshire Cancer Research and dancers and performers will be out and about throughout the afternoon.
Ann Burnett - Ann Burnett is an experienced writer of children's stories and scripts, short stories and articles, and comedy.
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