Bachelors' Club
Thatched seventeenth-century house in Tarbolton where Robert Burns co-founded a debating club, learned to dance and became a freemason.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
A few years before his first book of poems appeared, Robert Burns co-founded the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club in this red-shuttered, thatched house dating from the seventeenth century. It was here that he learned to dance, became a freemason and helped to create a debating society for men only. Visitors can see the room where Burns and his friends met to argue about the big issues of the day, and the ten rules of membership written by Burns himself.
The ground floor is an eighteenth-century living space, while the upstairs rooms are the meeting rooms once used by the club. The house gives a rare view of the social life of men in rural Scotland at that time. It is one of about 200 thatched buildings left in Scotland.
The building is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Because thatch eventually needs replacing, the Trust began a phased conservation project starting with rethatching the roof, and the house is closed to visitors for the winter season. A handling table lets visitors examine household objects from the past, and guided tours tell stories of Burns learning to dance, becoming a freemason and the social history of the house.
Highlights
- Meeting room used by Burns and his friends
- Burns's ten rules of membership
- Thatched seventeenth-century house
- Eighteenth-century living space downstairs
- Handling table with historical household objects
- Guided tours on the social history of the house
Permanent exhibition
- Burns's bachelors' club – An authentically restored thatched house with an eighteenth-century living space, the upstairs meeting room and Burns's rules of membership.
- Operated by
- National Trust for Scotland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3.50Concession tickets |
| Families | £12Family ticket. |
| One-adult family ticket | £9 |
| Young Scot ticket | £1 |
Members of the National Trust for Scotland enter free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor is wheelchair accessible. Access to the upper room is limited because of a flight of 12 steps.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | £12 · Family ticket. |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
A handling table lets visitors, including children, examine household objects from the past.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
There is parking on the street close to the property.
The building is in the village of Tarbolton, South Ayrshire.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Food and drink are available in Tarbolton village, in Ayr and at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The National Trust for Scotland sells Burns-inspired products in its online shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are available and tell of Burns learning to dance, becoming a freemason and the social history of the house. A handling table lets visitors examine historical household objects and work out what they were used for and what they are made of. |
