Robert Burns’s farm at Ellisland is opening its doors this month for a family fun day.
The event on Sunday 31 July will include strawberry teas, children’s games, face painting and a plant sale as well as tombola, musical entertainment and novelty stalls. The day starts at 12 noon and continues till 4pm.
Among the highlights are music by young musicians from Spectrum, who will perform at 2pm. The group are organised by music teacher Barbara Lewis and come from across Dumfries and Galloway.
Another treat is specialist tours of the museum and collection by Dr David Hopes, the former Director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway. Dr Hopes is vice chair of The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust and has written about the collection and its history. He currently runs Leeds Museums and Galleries.
Lee McQueen, project officer for the Trust and himself a local musician, is organising the event and said it was a chance for locals to rediscover the cultural gem on their doorstep and have a good time.
Lee said: “The new trust running Ellisland took over at the start of the lockdown so there have been few chances to welcome the community into this magical setting.
“We want people to come and enjoy themselves and rediscover what is the most authentic of all Burns’s homes – the only one he built himself.
“As well as the farmstead and museum there are beautiful riverside walks, so four legged members of the community are welcome to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Burns loved dogs and now they can walk in his footsteps!”
Entry to the Fun Day is free. If anyone wishes to help, including by donating a prize, plants or home baking, please contact Lee on [email protected]
