The Poet’s Choice – Securing the Future of Ellisland Farm

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to announce that it has offered a loan facility of £50,000 to the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust to provide cashflow support during the National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported development phase of the Trust’s ‘Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne’ project. This project will secure the 18th-century home of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, conserving, refurbishing and enhancing it for future generations.

Chosen from one of three potential farmstead sites by Burns, the Category A listed Ellisland Farm near Dumfries was constructed in 1788. He spent the first few years of his marriage with his young family at this farmstead, and, due to its surrounding landscape and views over the River Nith, he referred to the site as ‘the poet’s choice’. Ellisland Farm is considered the most authentic and least altered of the homes of Robert Burns, with much of its design directed by the poet himself, including a parlour with views across the orchard and down the river, which was specifically planned to provide space for writing and entertaining. Burns’ poetry and songwriting was heavily inspired by the countryside around the farm; whilst living there, he wrote some of his most well-known and loved songs and poems, ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ ‘Banks and Braes’ and ‘Tam O Shanter.’

Image: Burns' parlour, which has been preserved as he intended, with two windows allowing inspiring views of the surrounding landscape.

Today, the Ellisland Museum holds a significant collection that has been built up over a century. It includes original manuscripts of poems, letters and precious items that once belonged to the Burns family. The 170-acre farmstead also contains several buildings that Burns would have known and used, including stables and a walled orchard.

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust was formed with the aim of revitalising this at-risk historic site and preserving it as a lasting tribute to the genius of Robert Burns. The planned ‘Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne’ project will not only safeguard the future of the buildings and extensive collection on site through essential conservation work, but it will also allow the Trust to expand its programme of public events and engagement. Additionally, new facilities will be developed on site, including a Centre for Song - a space that will continue to nurture creativity in future generations, just as Burns envisioned.

To learn more about Ellisland Farm, please go to: https://www.ellislandfarm.co.uk/

The AHF has provided a number of previous grants to support this project, and is incredibly pleased to have now been able to support the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust further with this recent loan offer. A range of funds, including loan investment, are available for not-for-profit organisations across the UK who want to bring historic buildings back into use. For more information, please visit: Home | The Architectural Heritage Fund (ahfund.org.uk)

The AHF’s grant programmes in Scotland are supported by Historic Environment Scotland and the William Grant Foundation. The Heritage Impact Fund is also made possible with funding from Historic Environment Scotland, as well as The National Lottery Heritage Fund.