Perhaps
those words of Burns best sum up what our vacations in Scotland
are all about!
Robert Burns, Scotlands National Bard and often described
as the only true International Poet, was born in the village of
Alloway, just outside Ayr, on 25th January 1759. In his short life
of 37 years, he wrote and collected a vast amount of poetry and
songs, which are read, recited and sung in all corners of the World
to this day.
Every year we are asked by Guests to include something connected
with Robert Burns in their Itineraries.

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This normally takes them to Alloway with the cottage where the Bard
was born being the most popular choice. However, a short walk or
drive from there, included in whats now known as the Robert
Burns Heritage Park, is the Burns Monument and Gardens, the
Tam OShanter Experience which is an excellent
modern Audio/Visual presentation, and the setting for Tam O' Shanter
at Alloways auld, haunted kirk and the famous
Brig o Doon,

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A
day spent visiting these places gives a marvellous insight into the
life and times of Robert Burns. We can arrange all standards of accommodation
in the adjacent town of Ayr, but recommend spending at least one night
in the heart of Burns Country, at the Brig o Doon House
Hotel, in walking distance of all the above attractions.
For the truly keen and dedicated Burnsian, there are a multitude of
other places we can include in such a Tour, which can be expanded
into the surrounding area featured in the Bards life and work.
On the way to, or from Alloway, a visit to Kilmarnock, home of the
Burns Federation might be of interest, or possibly a call
at the Irvine Burns Club with its fine Museum. For many, an essential
part of such a tour is Dumfries where the house in which Burns spent
the last years of his life is now a museum. Theres the chair
in which he wrote his last poems, many original letters and manuscripts,
and the famous Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of his work. Of course,
no visit to Dumfries would be complete without calling at the Burns
Mausoleum in St Michaels Kirkyard where, together with his wife
Jean and five of their children, the Bard is buried.
We have Guides available for such tours who can add a bit of colour
to the day by reciting or singing Burns work while sharing their
knowledge and love of his life and times with you.
Scottish Highland Trails holds corporate membership
of the Robert Burns World Federation and one of the Directors, Alex
Hood, who recently completed a six-year spell as President of one
of the biggest Burns Clubs in the Edinburgh area, also holds individual
personal membership. He will personally supervise all enquiries
regarding tours in Burns Country. |