Trustees working to give Ellisland Farm and Museum a secure future as a Burns tourist destination have been making a difference – despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former home of national bard Robert Burns and his family, Ellisland has stood since 1788 and the land, house and farm buildings were gifted to the nation in 1928 by two Durisdeer brothers and it has been run as a heritage attraction, thanks mainly to the efforts of volunteers.
However, when a new group of Burnsians took it over two years ago, they were met with the worrying news that it was operating with a deficit of between £15,000 to £24,000 per annum and no reserves.
Its annual report and accounts, published this month, show it has received grant award offers of £312,235 in the year to 2022 – mainly to cover staff posts, emergency repairs, security, the masterplan and conservation study and the development of new holiday accommodation.
The trust also grew its membership income five fold in 2021 and has 12 Burns clubs members in its “1788 Circle”.
In January this year, The Annandale Distillery and The Globe Inn became Ellisland’s first corporate sponsor and in August the trust launched Explore Ellisland which recreated the site in Minecraft, one of the world’s most popular computer
games.
Pandemic restrictions limited what The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust could do in ways of public events for the first year but they have been making up for it this year with a number of online and in-person gatherings and have had school visits too – all raising awareness of one of the region’s historic gems.
They have also been building up supporters keen to help the only home built by Burns and where he penned some of his most famous works including Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter.
Work has gone on generating grant aid as the charity receives no regular public subsidy.
On top of a building structure survey, it is now moving on with the creation of a £30,000 Masterplan and viability study which will propose ways to create world class facilities, restore the 1788 buildings and develop new trading income streams.
