In the footsteps of Rabbie Burns
The annual day of celebration for the great Scottish poet Robert "Rabbie" Burns is January 25th, which was his birthday. On this day, people worldwide host Burns Night suppers and remember the life and work of the famous bard.
A trip to Scotland, whether on a walking or cycling holiday, is a great opportunity to visit some of the landmark attractions and places associated with this colourful 18th century character.
Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in the village of Alloway in Ayrshire. You can follow a short Burns’ Walking Trail, visiting his birthplace and the nearby woodland and parks.
[caption id="attachment_19020" align="aligncenter" width="398"] You will walk the Poet's Path as part of the Burns' Walking Trail.[/caption]
Spend time at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which houses the world’s biggest and most important collection of Burns’ memorabilia, including his writing set, pistols and a cast of his skull.
The museum is set in 10 acres of countryside in Alloway and the site includes a collection of buildings and landmarks that are all connected to the poet’s life, including Burns’ Cottage where he was born, the Burns Monument and , from his famous poem, Tam O’ Shanter.
[caption id="attachment_19021" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Brig o' Doon[/caption]
You can also visit the Kirkoswald home of Souter Johnnie, who was immortalised in this famous poem.
Other Burns attractions in Ayrshire include the Bachelors' Club in Tarbolton, which is a thatched cottage where Burns established his debating club.
The Burns House Museum in Mauchline is where Robert Burns lived and worked between 1784 and 1788.
Why not also take a trip to Dumfries & Galloway, where Burns moved with his family in 1788? You could visit his former home Ellisland Farm, which is now a museum.
[caption id="attachment_19024" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Robert Burns House in Dumfries.[/caption]
In Dumfries, you'll discover Burns’ final home, Robert Burns House, on Burns Street.
Just around the corner you can enjoy a drink at The Globe Inn, which was Burns’ local pub. His old chair is still in the bar but be warned that if you sit on it you have to either recite a line from one of his poems or buy all the other customers a drink.
A Burns circular walk in Dumfries follows his footsteps from the town centre, along the banks of the River Nith and back along a cycle path.
[caption id="attachment_19023" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Robert "Rabbie" Burns.[/caption]
Another Burns’ destination is Edinburgh, where you can visit the Writers’ Museum to see a permanent Robert Burns collection.
Long distance walkers might like to know that the Southern Upland Way passes close to Burns’ country between Sanquhar and Wablockhead, while the River Ayr Way cuts a beautiful route through Ayrshire.
Remember to toast Burns with a wee dram of whisky on January 25th.
Written by
FionaOutdoors