Burns' Ayrshire heritage celebrated in new brochure

In a collaboration between tourism teams from North, South and East Ayrshire councils, “Ayrshire – Birthplace of Burns” details the Bard’s connection to over a dozen Ayrshire towns and villages, and references more than 30 tributes to Burns including statues, monuments, murals and cairns.

While it is recognised the world over that Burns was born and spent most of his life in Ayrshire, this is the first tourism initiative to bring all of Ayrshire’s Burns connections together.  The 40-page brochure also highlights days out, events, arts, products, walks, food, drink and accommodation in Ayrshire – all with a link to Burns.

Councillor Alec Clark, Depute Leader, Commercial/Operational Services Policy Lead for South Ayrshire Council whose remit includes tourism said: “South Ayrshire lies at the very heart of Robert Burns’ story, and we are immensely proud of the world-class heritage we have here — from his birthplace in Alloway to the landscapes that inspired some of his greatest works. This new brochure shines a spotlight on the richness of those connections, offering visitors the opportunity to truly experience the places that shaped Scotland’s national poet. We look forward to welcoming people from near and far to discover Burns’ Ayrshire for themselves.”

Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Islands, Communities and Housing at North Ayrshire Council, said: “Robert Burns is synonymous with Ayrshire and spent an important year of his life in Irvine learning the craft of flax-dressing. It was an important period in his young adult life and many believe it was hugely inspiring in a creative sense too. The heckling shop, where Burns worked 10 hours a day, was restored in the 1980s and remains very much a fabric of Irvine’s town centre.  Ayrshire has such an amazing array of different memorials and tributes that celebrate the life of our most famous bard. This brochure gives a flavour of what’s available and we hope it attracts even more visitors to the area.”

Councillor Iain Linton, East Ayrshire Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources and Economy, said: “As part of our Ayrshire and our Islands Visitor Economy Strategy, we’ve been working with the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and VisitScotland to develop projects like this to help attract more visitors to towns and villages across Ayrshire. Mauchline was the home of Robert Burns during the most creative period of his life - it’s where he met many of the characters who inspired his poetry and where he also met his wife Jean Armour.

"The East Ayrshire Council Grants Committee at its meeting of 13 May, agreed to funding of £18,000 from the Renewable Energy Fund from the Scottish Power Renewables Whitelee Windfarm to support the annual Mauchline Holy Fair, a hugely successful event which is hoping to attract over 15,000 visitors this year.

"‘Ayrshire – Birthplace of Burns’ is a fantastic resource which celebrates the life of Burns through an Ayrshire Burns Trail, promoting some of the best attractions Ayrshire has to offer.”

The brochure is being widely distributed across Central Scotland, with printed copies available at transport hubs, hotels, museums and other tourism outlets.

A PDF of the brochure Ayrshire - Birthplace of Burns can also be downloaded