£30,000 "sustainable future" masterplan to be drawn up for Robert Burns Farm near Dumfries

A £30,000 “sustainable future” masterplan for the Robert Burns Ellisland Farm and Museum near Dumfries is to be created.

Some of Scotland’s leading architects and heritage experts are on board to help develop the vision for Burns’ former family home where he penned Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter among others.

The masterplan and viability study have been commissioned by the charity behind the site since 2020, The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, and needs to propose ways to create world class facilities, restore buildings, and to develop new income streams.

The project is being funded by The Architectural Heritage Fund/Historic Environment Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise and The Holywood Trust. The plan will be drawn up by a consortium led by Delfinity Limited, which includes Oliver Chapman Architects and Harrison Stevens Landscape Architects and heritage expert Lyndsay Clark.

Project lead Hazel Allen said: “We are thrilled to be working with the trust to develop a compelling masterplan for this unique site, so pivotal in the life of Burns.”

The Ellisland trustees said engagement with local community, cultural and youth organisations is an essential part of the six month project.

The trust’s business development manager, Joan McAlpine, said: “We are so excited to work with such a talented team of experts.

“The home of Auld Lang Syne should be recognised around the world as a place to celebrate Burns, nature and Scottish culture.”

She added: “We want more people, especially young people, to be inspired by Ellisland the way Burns was inspired – and also to generate economic benefit and jobs for this part of South Scotland. We will of course reach out to the wider community to develop that vision.”