Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
National Trust for Scotland museum in Alloway with the world's largest Burns collection, the cottage where he was born and sites from Tam o' Shanter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born in Alloway in 1759 in a cottage that his father built. The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, run by the National Trust for Scotland, tells his story in the village where he grew up and was inspired. It brings together several sites: the museum building, Burns Cottage with its smallholding, Alloway Auld Kirk, the Brig o' Doon and the Burns Monument and its gardens, linked by a walkway called the Poet's Path.
The museum building houses more than 5,000 Burns objects, including his handwritten manuscripts, items that belonged to him and his family, and objects connected with the poet since his death. It is described as the largest collection of Burns material in the world. The displays are arranged in themed zones that follow his life and are full of interactive activities for all ages.
The Auld Kirk and the Brig o' Doon were made famous by his poem Tam o' Shanter, and the Burns Monument is where Burns tourism began in 1823. A Burns-themed play area called Scots Wa-Hey is in the museum gardens, and the café serves traditional Scottish dishes. The collection is also available to explore online.
Highlights
- World's largest collection of Burns objects, including original manuscripts
- Burns Cottage, the home where the poet was born
- Alloway Auld Kirk and the Brig o' Doon from Tam o' Shanter
- Burns Monument and Monument Gardens
- Scots Wa-Hey play area with a zip wire and climbing wall
Permanent exhibitions
- The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum exhibition – An open-plan museum with more than 5,000 Burns objects, including manuscripts, arranged in themed zones about the poet's life with many interactive displays.
- Burns Cottage and smallholding – The four-room cottage where Burns was born, with an orchard, vegetable plots and a pond.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- National Trust for Scotland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £12 |
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| Reduced | £9.50Concessions |
| Children & teens | £7 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Essential carers are admitted free. |
| Families | £31The one adult family ticket costs £19. |
| One adult family ticket | £19 |
The ticket includes Burns Cottage and the museum. The prices shown exclude the optional 10 percent Gift Aid donation. Admission is free for National Trust for Scotland members. The museum takes part in the ScotRail 2-for-1 offer for rail ticket holders with a paper voucher.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is level access from the museum entrance to the exhibition, shop, café, accessible toilet and Burns Cottage. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the museum and at the cottage. The museum and education areas have hearing loops, large print labels are available, and the museum has accessible toilets, with a further accessible toilet beside Burns Cottage. The cottage has narrow doors and one cobbled room, and the Auld Kirk, Brig o' Doon and Burns Monument have steps and uneven surfaces. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £31 · The one adult family ticket costs £19. |
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- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Families can collect free trails called Och Aye Spy and Mousie Hunt and an activity sheet of challenges. The Burns-themed play area Scots Wa-Hey in the museum gardens has a zip wire, a climbing wall and a wheelchair accessible roundabout. The café is family-friendly and there are baby changing facilities at the museum.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ayr station
Alloway is 2½ miles south of Ayr. There is a regular train service from Glasgow to Ayr, and from Ayr a local bus runs to Alloway.
By car
Free parking
Car parks at the museum and at Burns Cottage, both with Blue Badge spaces. There is an electric car charging point at the museum and four bike racks outside.
- Accessible parking
The museum is signposted from the A77 and is about 40 minutes from Glasgow. Burns Cottage is ½ mile from the museum and the two sites are linked by the 500 metre Poet's Path. A busy road crosses between the sites, with traffic islands to help crossing.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
The café in the museum serves soup, sandwiches, hot meals and cakes, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options and high chairs. The large shop sells Burns books, local crafts and children's items. Wi-Fi is listed among the facilities on the visit planning page, without further details. Dogs are welcome in the garden areas on a lead.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | One ticket allows visitors to come and go during the day. Museum lighting is kept low to protect the manuscripts, and a Burns song or poem is played every hour when the lights dim. The museum is usually quieter before 11:00 and after 16:00. |
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