Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(NTS;
www.nts.org.uk
; adult/child £8/6; 10am-5pm Oct-Mar, to 5.30pm Apr-Sep; )
This impressive new museum has collected a solid range of Burns memorabilia, including
manuscripts and possessions of the poet, like the pistols he packed in order to carry out his
daily work as a taxman. There's good biographical information, and a series of displays
that bring to life individual poems via background snippets, translations, and audiophones
with recitations. Appropriately, the museum doesn't take itself too seriously: there's
plenty of humour that the man himself surely would have approved of, and entertaining
audio and visual performances will keep the kids amused.
The admission ticket also covers the atmospheric
Burns Cottage
, connected via a
walkway to the Birthplace Museum. Born in the little box-bed in this cramped thatched
dwelling, the poet spent the first seven years of his life here. It's an attractive display
which gives you a context for reading plenty of his verse. Much-needed translation of
some of the more obscure Scots farming terms he loved to use decorate the walls.
Alloway Auld Kirk
Near the Birthplace Museum are the ruins of the kirk, the setting for part of 'Tam o'
Shanter'. Burns' father, William Burnes (his son dropped the 'e' from his name), is buried
in the kirkyard; read the poem on the back of the gravestone.
CHURCH
Burns Monument & Gardens
The monument was built in 1823; the gardens afford a view of the 13th-century Brig o'
Doon.
GARDEN
Sleeping
Brig O' Doon House
(
01292-442466;
www.brigodoonhouse.com
; s/d £85/120, restaurant 3-course dinner
£25; )
On the main road right by the monument and bridge, a charming ivy-covered
facade conceals this romantic, rather luxurious hotel, which will appeal greatly to Burns
fans. The heavyish decor of plaid carpets is relieved by slate-floored bathrooms; rooms
are spacious and very comfortable, and there are also a couple of cottages - Rose, tradi-
tionally decorated, and Gables, more contemporary - across the way. Service is helpful,
and there's a decent
restaurant
, but the place is often booked up by wedding parties at
weekends.
HOTEL
