On a sunny September’s morning at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, the first Independent Mind project got underway. As part of this, the Recovery Ayr group were invited to Burns cottage.

Recovery Ayr works with individuals to try and lessen the impact of alcohol and drug dependency within communities. Their mandate is to try and do this by creating platforms from which the issues surrounding the misuse of alcohol and drugs can be openly discussed, therefore, not only benefitting the individual, but also their families, communities, and wider society as a whole.

Recovery Ayr were invited to the cottage to explore the possibility of using theatre as a platform to discuss issues surrounding the misuse of alcohol and drugs. From this point it was decided that the group would organise an original Christmas Pantomime.

Over a period of four months, the service users and staff from Recovery Ayr worked tirelessly with the playwright Rab Wilson, and the directors Chris Taylor (Hipshot Theatre), and Andrew O’Donnell (Icarus Events). And it was from this collaboration that Tam O’ Shanter, the Mornin’ Eftir emerged.

Tam O’ Shanter, the Mornin’ Eftir is a light hearted reimagining of Burns’ well kent tale, in which Tam awakens from a drunken slumber and starts to recount the events of the previous night. What really happened doon by the auld Kirk?

Two documentaries were made to map the amazing journey of all those involved in the project. Please set aside a moment to watch them, and enjoy catching up with the worthwhile work we have been doing at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

 The making of Tam o' Shanter by Quick Off the Mark Productions

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 Tam o' Shanter documentary by Mike Murray

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Head for thought encourages young people from across Ayrshire to engage with their local culture and heritage and also to look at Burns’ poems, relating them to life in Scotland today.

Embracing the spirit of rebellion and independence so typical of Burns they are producing contemporary creative responses to what they have found inspiring at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Each group will produce an online counter-culture magazine working with Scots poet Rab Wilson and illustrator John Fardell.

 Burns' Blethers - Issue 1

A selection of songs and poems created by the pupils from Ayr Academy, click the image to read the very first issue!

Mad Mega Mingles - Issue 2

A selection of songs and poems created by the pupils from Girvan Academy, click the image to read the next issue!

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum would like to thank all the pupils that have been involved for their hard work and dedication and we hope you enjoy the magazines produced. New work will be added every few months so please visit us again to see the next fantastic issue.

Interactive

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum holds the world’s largest collection of artefacts relating to Scotland’s best known bard. Our collections include over 5,500 manuscripts, books, personal artefacts, & artworks relating to Robert Burns and his legacy. To explore our exciting objects, choose one of the options below:

• Burns on the web

  

  There are many excellent online sources of information about Robert Burns. Some of the best learning resources and links can be found here.More

• Spooky Stories

  

  Using a panorama of old Alloway, with its churchyard and bridge, you can make your own Tam O'Shanter ghost story and bring it to life on the screen.More

• Burning issues

  

  Many of the burning issues of Burns' days are still just as relevant and contentious today. But what was Robert Burns' opinion on these issues - taxation, devolution, revolution, smuggling, emigration, monarchy?More

• Photofit

  

  Most portraits were painted from memory, or after his death, but you can try our fascinating photofit game, using descriptions by people who knew him to build up your own pictures of Robert Burns.More

• Video Clips

  

  Watch video clips from the museum.More

Friday 7 June - Sunday 15 September

Calum Colvin is one of Scotland's leading contemporary artists and has a long-standing interest in Burns. His innovative and distinctive work incorporates sculpture, painting and photography. This exhibition will feature Burns-related work created over several years.

Museum (Gallery)

Free with admission

Saturday 22 June

1.30pm - 4pm

Join us in our cafe for an afternoon of fantastic music provided by the Lomond School Traditional Music Group

Museum

Free

weekdays July and August

Noon, 2pm and 3pm

Take a short 30-minute fun tour of Burns Cottage, try making butter and explore the clothing of Burn's time!

Burns Cottage

Free (with admission)

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week between 2 July and 12 September

2pm

Take part in fun workshops for families - try Journey Journals, ceilidh dancing or family ranger sessions. For more information or to book please email: burns@nts.org.uk or call 0844 493 2601.

Burns Cottage

Free (with admission)

Soon you will be able to view and learn about these collections and Robert Burns together online for the first time.  To Your Mouse will provide a rich, multimedia experience that will allow you to discover the objects that reveal so much about the man behind the myth.

Whether you choose to navigate our interactive timeline, examine the inspirations behind the poet’s works, or browse our online collection database, you will soon discover the fascinating story of Scotland’s Bard.

Daily from Monday 15 to Friday 19 july

10am - 12noon

Come and have some fun and get crafty at our kids' holiday workshops. Suitable for age 5+. For more information or to book please email: burns@nts.org.uk or call 0844 493 2601.

Burns Cottage

£5 per child per 2-hour workshop. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July

11am - 4pm

Join us for a weekend of crafts and enjoy a range of local produce from our market stalls

Museum

Free