Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ON THE BURNS TRAIL
As well as the numerous attractions associated with Robert Burns in
Alloway
, two more
places that resonate with Burns fans can be found not too far from Ayr; 6 miles northeast of
Ayr is
The
Bachelors' Club
(Easter-Sept Fri-Tues 1-5pm; £3.50; NTS), a wee thatched house
in the tiny village of Tarbolton. It was here in the upstairs room that the 20-year-old Burns
attended dancing classes, set up a debating society and became a Freemason. In Kirkoswald,
14 miles southwest of Ayr, is
Souter Johnnie's Cottage
(Easter-Sept Mon, Tues, Fri-Sun
11.30am-5pm; £3.50; NTS), once the home of John Davidson, Burns's boon companion and
the original inspiration for Souter (cobbler) Johnnie in
Tam o' Shanter
. The restored alehouse
here has life-size stone figures of Johnnie, Tam himself and other Burnsian characters, all of
whom are buried in the nearby graveyard.
olive risotto with Troon langoustine tails, and slow-cooked
confit of duck (£14.95). If you're feeling particularly
decadent, try one of the house cocktails.
Daily
9am-midnight.
Cecchini's
72 Fort St
T
01292 263607,
W
cecchinisayr
.co.uk.
A cut above your average pizza and pasta joint, cool
Cecchini's
has an enticing range of mains, such as borlotti
casserole (£8.95), and spezzatino (Scotch beef cooked with
red wine and tomatoes), as well as any number of terrific
value daily deals.
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm.
Stage Door
12 Carrick St
T
01292 280444,
W
stagedoorcafe.co.uk.
Given that it shares the same
space as the theatre box o
ce, this is a surprisingly classy
restaurant, with very favourably priced dishes like honey
glazed Ayrshire bacon steak, and monkfish tail with Cajun
spices (£9.95) to tempt you in. The two-course express
lunch menu costs £10.95.
Daily 10am-11pm.
Tudor Kitchen & Grill
8 Beresford Terrace
T
01292
261404,
Scottish food dominates in this understatedly appealing
restaurant, like haggis, neeps and tatties in a whisky and
chive sauce, and pan-seared fillet of pork with Stornoway
black pudding mash (£10.95). There's also breakfast
(9-11.30am) and the £7.95 two-course early-evening deal
from 4-5.30pm is a steal.
Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun
10am-9pm.
PUBS
Tam o' Shanter
230 High St
T
01292 611684.
So
named after the eponymous Burns character, this cosy,
thatched inn receives a steady flow of locals throughout the
day, here for a bit of banter while supping on a pint of the
local real ale.
Daily 11am-midnight.
West Kirk
58a Sandgate
T
01292 880416.
For a quiet
pint of real ale, head to this music-free Wetherspoon
church-to-pub conversion, with wooden balconies held
up
4
by
pistachio-coloured
fluted
pillars.
Daily
W
tudorkitchenandgrill.com.
Traditional
8am-midnight.
Alloway
ALLOWAY
, formerly a small village but now on the southern outskirts of Ayr, is the
birthplace of Robert Burns (1759-1796), Scotland's national poet. Today it is
totally dominated by all things Burnsiana, all of which is gathered under the
umbrella of the
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
. Note that the entrance fee applies
only to the museum and cottage; the other sights are free to visit and have no set
opening times.
Burns Museum
Murdoch's Lone • Daily: April-Sept 10am-5.30pm; Oct-March 10am-5pm • £8 (including entrance to cottage); NTS •
T
0844 493 2601,
W
burnsmuseum.org.uk
he centrepiece of the Birthplace Museum is the
museum
itself, a voluminous and
illuminating exhibition that should satisfy even the most ardent Burns fan. While the
focus is, inevitably, on his extraordinary literary accomplishments - look out for four
skilfully carved wooden friezes depicting the key scenes in
Tam o' Shanter
- the
beautifully presented glass cabinets are stuffed with memorabilia pertaining to other
aspects of his life, such as the pistol he used as an exciseman, and the apron he wore at
Masonic meetings in Dumfries. In addition, you can view his parlour chair and desk,
the wedding ring belonging to his wife, Jean Armour, and dozens of books and letters
dedicated to friends and family.
