News > First Minister first over the threshold at restored Burns Cottage
First Minister first over the threshold at restored Burns Cottage
29/11/2009
First Minister, Alex Salmond, opened the National Trust for Scotland’s restored Burns Cottage in Alloway today (29 November 2009).
The iconic cottage, where Burns was born 250 years ago, has undergone careful renovation and reinterpretation, as part of the conservation charity’s project to transform the Burns National Heritage Park into the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.
Over the last eight weeks, expert teams have carried out core repairs to the 18th century thatched cottage which was built by Burns’ father. New audio visual displays will bring Burns’ story to life and the area of smallholding around the cottage, where the Burns family kept the livestock that supported them, has also been landscaped to give an impression of the agricultural landscape that existed 250 years ago. The former Burns Museum has also been transformed into a spacious Education Pavilion which will be the first educational facility in Scotland to have Burns experts on-site.
The £1 million restoration marks a major milestone in the progress of the Trust’s £21m Robert Burns Birthplace Museum project, due for completion in September 2010.
The Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council have made significant contributions to the project and joined the First Minister in celebrating the re-opening of the cottage and the launch of the new Education Pavilion which is located on the site of the old Burns Museum.
The First Minister announced today £2.1 million of additional support for Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. This brings its total investment in the project to £7.6 million.
Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, Kate Mavor said: “The cottage where Burns was born is one of Scotland’s iconic heritage sites, and the Trust is privileged to have it in its care. Our team of experts in Alloway has restored it in a highly imaginative way to enhance visitors’ knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Burns and his early life. The approach we’ve taken at the cottage gives just a hint of how interactive and inspiring our finished museum will be.”
First Minister, Alex Salmond said: “The re-opening of Burns’ Cottage and the opening of the Education Pavilion marks an important step forward in the Robert Burns Museum Project, which aims to celebrate the life and work of Scotland’s globally recognised cultural icon.
“Burns’ universal appeal has been demonstrated through the huge success of Scotland’s Homecoming Year. These beautifully refurbished facilities will help to showcase Burns’ work to people of all ages and will attract visitors from across the world who share a love and affinity for Burns and his genius.”
Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “I am delighted we have reached an important landmark in this terrific project today.
“Burns Cottage is one of our country’s most culturally significant and impressive visitor destinations, celebrating the life and times of one of the world's most influential cultural and literary figures – a man who is celebrated annually and who acted as the catalyst for this year of Homecoming.
"I am thrilled the renovation work has been so successful and Burns Cottage will, for generations to come, be inspiring and educational and really bring Burns to life for visitors from across the globe.”
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Burns has given Scotland a rich literary heritage that is recognised throughout the world. He is part of our national memory, celebrated every year and touching ordinary lives with a humanity that still resonates today. It is only fitting that his birthplace cottage be restored and interpreted in a manner we can all be proud of. It will offer visitors from both home and abroad an intriguing insight to the life and works of one of our national heroes. This is truly a day of celebration for Scotland’s heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be a part of that.”
To celebrate the re-opening of Burns Cottage, the National Trust for Scotland is offering free entry to Burns Cottage on St Andrew’s Day, Monday 30 November 2009. Burns experts will be on hand to give guided tours around the Cottage and linking in with Alloway’s agricultural heritage, the park will be visited by very special guests Pat and Tyde, two local heavy horses who are sure to entertain little and big kids alike.
Director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Nat Edwards, said: “I can’t wait to welcome our first visitors across the threshold of Burns Cottage. There is a magic about this little cottage that absolutely spellbound Burns – you can see echoes of it throughout his poetry. Stepping into it really takes you into another world – in a way no movie or computer game could ever hope to. I think it’s wonderful that we are celebrating the 250th St Andrew’s day since Burns’s birth by inviting families from around the country to share in the magic.”
Burns Cottage closed on 5 October 2009 to allow for renovation and reinterpretation of the historic Scottish landmark.
The restoration of the cottage involved re-thatching the cottage’s roof, repainting the interior and exterior of the building and some core repairs. Items within the cottage have been carefully conserved by the National Trust for Scotland’s team of Burns experts including conservator Sylvia Krauss and curator of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum David Hopes.
A newly created tartan blanket, woven on a 200 year loom at another National Trust for Scotland property - the Weaver’s Cottage in Kilbarchan - will also be displayed on the bed where the bard was born. Hundreds of Burns enthusiasts visited the Weaver’s Cottage to watch property manager and expert weaver Christine MacLeod create the new blanket and help make rag rugs which will also go on display at Burns Cottage.
Additionally thought-provoking audio visual displays have been installed to bring Robert Burns’ story to life in an authentic manner, aiming to inspire guests by giving them a realistic look into his life.
The site of the old Burns Museum has undergone extensive renovation to create The Education Pavilion which will be the first education facility in Scotland to have dedicated Burns staff on site. The Pavilion has three education spaces which will be filled with an exciting programme of educational facilities in addition to doubling up as an events area – allowing Burns Suppers and other events to take place just steps away from the birthplace of the Bard.
The area surrounding the smallholding of the Burns Cottage has been thoughtfully landscaped to open up views and enhance the feel of the rural setting which will link into the education programme and allow visitors to watch examples of rural and farming practices during Burns’ life.
Over the last eight weeks, expert teams have carried out core repairs to the 18th century thatched cottage which was built by Burns’ father. New audio visual displays will bring Burns’ story to life and the area of smallholding around the cottage, where the Burns family kept the livestock that supported them, has also been landscaped to give an impression of the agricultural landscape that existed 250 years ago. The former Burns Museum has also been transformed into a spacious Education Pavilion which will be the first educational facility in Scotland to have Burns experts on-site.
The £1 million restoration marks a major milestone in the progress of the Trust’s £21m Robert Burns Birthplace Museum project, due for completion in September 2010.
The Heritage Lottery Fund, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council have made significant contributions to the project and joined the First Minister in celebrating the re-opening of the cottage and the launch of the new Education Pavilion which is located on the site of the old Burns Museum.
The First Minister announced today £2.1 million of additional support for Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. This brings its total investment in the project to £7.6 million.
Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, Kate Mavor said: “The cottage where Burns was born is one of Scotland’s iconic heritage sites, and the Trust is privileged to have it in its care. Our team of experts in Alloway has restored it in a highly imaginative way to enhance visitors’ knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Burns and his early life. The approach we’ve taken at the cottage gives just a hint of how interactive and inspiring our finished museum will be.”
First Minister, Alex Salmond said: “The re-opening of Burns’ Cottage and the opening of the Education Pavilion marks an important step forward in the Robert Burns Museum Project, which aims to celebrate the life and work of Scotland’s globally recognised cultural icon.
“Burns’ universal appeal has been demonstrated through the huge success of Scotland’s Homecoming Year. These beautifully refurbished facilities will help to showcase Burns’ work to people of all ages and will attract visitors from across the world who share a love and affinity for Burns and his genius.”
Councillor Margaret Toner, Depute Leader of South Ayrshire Council and Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “I am delighted we have reached an important landmark in this terrific project today.
“Burns Cottage is one of our country’s most culturally significant and impressive visitor destinations, celebrating the life and times of one of the world's most influential cultural and literary figures – a man who is celebrated annually and who acted as the catalyst for this year of Homecoming.
"I am thrilled the renovation work has been so successful and Burns Cottage will, for generations to come, be inspiring and educational and really bring Burns to life for visitors from across the globe.”
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Burns has given Scotland a rich literary heritage that is recognised throughout the world. He is part of our national memory, celebrated every year and touching ordinary lives with a humanity that still resonates today. It is only fitting that his birthplace cottage be restored and interpreted in a manner we can all be proud of. It will offer visitors from both home and abroad an intriguing insight to the life and works of one of our national heroes. This is truly a day of celebration for Scotland’s heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be a part of that.”
To celebrate the re-opening of Burns Cottage, the National Trust for Scotland is offering free entry to Burns Cottage on St Andrew’s Day, Monday 30 November 2009. Burns experts will be on hand to give guided tours around the Cottage and linking in with Alloway’s agricultural heritage, the park will be visited by very special guests Pat and Tyde, two local heavy horses who are sure to entertain little and big kids alike.
Director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Nat Edwards, said: “I can’t wait to welcome our first visitors across the threshold of Burns Cottage. There is a magic about this little cottage that absolutely spellbound Burns – you can see echoes of it throughout his poetry. Stepping into it really takes you into another world – in a way no movie or computer game could ever hope to. I think it’s wonderful that we are celebrating the 250th St Andrew’s day since Burns’s birth by inviting families from around the country to share in the magic.”
Burns Cottage closed on 5 October 2009 to allow for renovation and reinterpretation of the historic Scottish landmark.
The restoration of the cottage involved re-thatching the cottage’s roof, repainting the interior and exterior of the building and some core repairs. Items within the cottage have been carefully conserved by the National Trust for Scotland’s team of Burns experts including conservator Sylvia Krauss and curator of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum David Hopes.
A newly created tartan blanket, woven on a 200 year loom at another National Trust for Scotland property - the Weaver’s Cottage in Kilbarchan - will also be displayed on the bed where the bard was born. Hundreds of Burns enthusiasts visited the Weaver’s Cottage to watch property manager and expert weaver Christine MacLeod create the new blanket and help make rag rugs which will also go on display at Burns Cottage.
Additionally thought-provoking audio visual displays have been installed to bring Robert Burns’ story to life in an authentic manner, aiming to inspire guests by giving them a realistic look into his life.
The site of the old Burns Museum has undergone extensive renovation to create The Education Pavilion which will be the first education facility in Scotland to have dedicated Burns staff on site. The Pavilion has three education spaces which will be filled with an exciting programme of educational facilities in addition to doubling up as an events area – allowing Burns Suppers and other events to take place just steps away from the birthplace of the Bard.
The area surrounding the smallholding of the Burns Cottage has been thoughtfully landscaped to open up views and enhance the feel of the rural setting which will link into the education programme and allow visitors to watch examples of rural and farming practices during Burns’ life.
