February 27 2023

A rundown farm built by Robert Burns where some of the poet's most famous works were written is to be saved by a charity.

The Ellisland Trust propose to develop Ellisland Farm on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway into a visitor attraction, by repurposing the farmhouse as a time capsule of eighteenth-century domestic life.

Intended to inspire a new generation of creatives the rural retreat will include outbuildings that play host to workshops and performances and new planting to improve surrounding woodland and fields.

Dr David Hopes, acting chair of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, said: “These plans mean we will preserve and enhance the landscape which inspired Burns by improving bio-diversity and enhancing accessibility. There will be opportunities to do that working with partners in the community.

“These plans will save the buildings by conserving them through use, safeguard the important collection and allow many more people to enjoy the site and benefit from it.”

A design team including Oliver Chapman Architects and HarrisonStevens propose a new build visitor centre to fund the £500k renovation, including a cafe and exhibition space to showcase some of Burns' prized possessions including manuscripts, a flute and a fishing rod.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by i wasnt going to say anything but, on 2 Mar 2023 at 16:00 PM

Odd that this never received any comment. For me, there are two things about this;
Firstly, is the disconnect/glaring disparity between the subject matter and the vision as illustrated. The gentrification of Burns no less.
The second obvious point would be, well if you're going to do this and take this approach, 500 G's doesn't really buy you that much these days.

#2 Posted by Jamie B on 2 Mar 2023 at 16:32 PM

Looks like a well considered and well composed piece of architecture to me.

#3 Posted by thats all very well, but on 4 Mar 2023 at 07:53 AM

2. I think maybe that's the problem, right there...the beautification of abject historical rural poverty. It's all very twee, whereas the physical reality was dire. It's a problem of the narrative and language.

#4 Posted by Jamie B on 6 Mar 2023 at 12:43 PM

4. ...but I wouldn't suppose it's necessary to strictly recreate the poverty you describe to give some sense of it. My children can visit New Lanark and get some sense of what it was like to live / work there, without 're-living' that experience.
In this case I would suggest it's reasonable that an attractive architecture can be a context for a 'narrative and language' for learning about Burns and old rural communities without having to recreate that dire poverty you refer to... perhaps that recreation would be even more twee?

#5 Posted by Fair scunnered on 6 Mar 2023 at 19:21 PM

Well there are straw men and there are straw men, but this takes the proverbial. I wouldn't suppose you were trying to deliberately miss the point there, mate? - No one ever talked about 'recreating the poverty' or 're-living that experience' What a load of bollocks. You don't have a clue about what is meant by narrative and language, clearly. I'm afraid it's not my job to inform you.

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