Take a different path in Ayrshire & Arran
Have you been to Ayrshire & Arran recently? You might just be surprised at what you see.
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway is the ideal place to start before you venture inside Burn’s cottage where Scotland’s National Bard was born in 1759. Continue your Burns’ adventure at Rozelle House where you’ll find Tam O’ Shanter paintings by Alexander Goudie. Don’t miss the Burns House Museum in the charming cobbled backstreets of Mauchline and enjoy an audio tour.
Described as one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes, Dumfries House is a real gem, boasting priceless Chippendale furniture in opulent rooms. Throughout the estate discover woodland walks, the Queen Elizabeth Walled Gardens, or lose yourself in the maze. Near Maybole, the impressive Culzean Castle & Country Park with its grand turrets, is not to be missed and Kelburn Castle and Country Centre in Fairlie is adorned with graffiti courtesy of Brazilian street artists.
Across the water on the Isle of Arran, the Machrie Moor Standing Stones which date back up to 4,500 years, are set in stunning landscapes. At Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park wander the gardens with views down to Arran’s coastline. Discover lush woodland, waterfalls and a summer house before having some fun in the new Isle be Wild adventure playground.
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory near Dalmellington is found in the Galloway Dark Sky Park, the first of its kind in the UK. This is one of the best places to admire the dark skies, and they are so clear that you are likely to see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
For a change of pace, get your glad rags on and head to Ayr Racecourse, which also hosts the Scottish Grand National and the Gold Cup, popular days out full of excitement and glamour. Or why not tee off at almost 50 courses and 3 Championship Courses, like Royal Troon, or try a more unique course like Shiskine Golf Course on the Isle of Arran which has 12 holes and spectacular views?
The Isle of Cumbrae is a compact island accessed by Ferry from Largs in just 15 minutes! Ideal for cycling thanks to its size as well as being home to an array of wildlife.
In Irvine, you will find the Scottish Maritime Museum which is the home to Scotland’s seafaring heritage giving a fascinating insight into the importance of Scotland’s maritime heritage. The museum also hosts Irvine Harbour’s Festival of Light which is back again in 2019.
With miles of coastline in the area you are spoilt for choice. Take a stroll on Ayr beach, explore rockpools at Croy Shore, or why not try kitesurfing in Troon?
Culzean Castle nts.org.uk/Visit/Culzean-Castle-and-Country-Park/
Royal Troon royaltroon.co.uk
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Rozelle House Estate goudie.co.uk
Ayr Racecourse ayr-racecourse.co.uk
Scottish Maritime Museum
Isle of Cumbrae, Millport millport.org
Kelburn Castle kelburnestate.com/
Brodick Castle and Country Park
Machrie Moor Standing Stones
Dumfries House
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Dean Castle deancastle.com
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East Ayrshire's - Undiscovered Gems
East Ayrshire is full of undiscovered gems hiding in the many nooks and crannies of the region.
Explore Ness Glen and Loch Doon, just east of Dalmellington, for picturesque walks, stunning views, and peaceful landscapes, all topped off with afternoon tea in the Roundhouse Café at Loch Doon Dam. You can also discover Fort Carrick, a base for outdoor activities, and even call in at the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory on your way for spectacular views of the starry night sky.
Dunlop Dairy in Stewarton turn their farm produce milk into a range of delicious award-winning cheese which are sold through specialist wholesalers as well as in their farm shop. You can also purchase other local produces, such as free range eggs, milk and jam from the shop as well.
Just east of Kilmarnock, find your spirit at the Spirit of Scotland Sculpture on Loudoun Hill for a gentle walk along an abandoned railway line followed by an ascent of the hill for stunning views over the River Irvine and surrounding landscapes.
In Kilmarnock, enjoy a family day out at Dean Castle and Country Park for beautiful woodland walks, an educational History Trail, or head to the Palace to see world-class artefacts. Nearby, you’ll find the Dick Institute with exhibitions and permanent displays to browse. Enjoy the ultimate cooking experience at The Cook School, a 5 star venue that provides a fun and informal environment where you can learn to create effortless dishes. Rowallan Castle boasts winding streams, impressive woodlands, and even a Bronze Age settlement amongst the rolling greens of the world class golf course.
In Mauchline, learn about Scotland’s Bard at the Burns House Museum, where Burns’ once lived, and witness collections of rare, original objects and documents, as well as exploring the onsite library. Nearby you’ll find the Catrine House Coffee Shop & Ice Cream Parlour where you can enjoy award-winning ice-cream made from milk and cream courtesy of their very own herd of pedigree Ayrshire cows. There is a play park for the little ones and a farm shop so you can take delicious local produce home with you.
Come and explore the undiscovered gems of Scotland’s East Ayrshire!
Loch Doon -
Ness Glen -
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory -
Spirit of Scotland Sculpture, Loudoun Hill -
Burns House Museum, Mauchline -
Dick Institute, Kilmarnock -
Dean Castle and Country Park, Kilmarnock -
Dunlop Dairy, Stewarton -
Catrine House Ice Cream Parlour, Mauchline -
Cook School, Kilmarnock -
Rowallan Golf Course, Kilmarnock -
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Alloway & Burns Cottage 2015
We went to Alloway and Burns cottage July 25th 2015 for my birthday! Education's never been so much fun :-D
Robert Burns Trail
Places Robert Burns lived or visited from birth to death. Web Page:
History Insights - Robert Burns and 'The Hermitage' at Friars' Carse
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Robert Burns Monument
A 3d model created as a test in Cinema 4d of the Robert Burns Monument in Mauchline Ayrshire, Scotland.
The Monkton Vaulted Tower Windmill, Ayrshire, Scotland
The uniquely Scottish Monkton Vaulted Tower Windmill dates from the early 18th century and lost its cap and sails when it was converted to a dovecote or doocot. The vault has been partly infilled however it once acted as a reception and storage area.
Ayr town centre
The Royal Burgh of Ayr is the largest of Ayrshire's towns and serves as the main transport hub for the area. With an abundance of castles, gardens, visitor centres and museums nearby, there is more than enough entertainment in Ayrshire for the whole family.
Undoubtedly Ayr is an old town-the most zealous of historical researchers cannot say just how old. Its story is writ large on the pages of Scottish history. Many of its landmarks bear the indelible stamp of its antiquity. But in every other respect the Auld Toun is the modern home of a modern-minded and thriving community who are well aware of the need to keep abreast of the times, not only for their own sakes but for the benefit of the many thousands who come annually to make holiday.
World-wide fame of Ayr as the centre of the Burns Country, makes the town a natural selection for the tourist's itinerary, but the ordinary holidaymaker may not appreciate that it is, in its own right, one of Scotland's leading holiday centres. Burns himself may have fostered misunderstanding by his writings.
His boast of:
Auld Ayr wham ne'er a toun surpasses
for Honest Men and Bonnie Lasses.
certainly has produced a reputation for the lealty of its men folk and the loveliness of its women, but at the same time has made The Auld Toun an alternative name rather than, as intended, an affectionate description.
ST VIGEANS ARBROATH ANGUS SCOTLAND August 2017
St Vigeans is a small village and parish in Angus, Scotland, immediately to the north of Arbroath. Originally rural, it is now more or less a suburb of the town of Arbroath. The name St Vigeans is derived from Vigeanus, a Latinised form of the Old Irish name Féichín. Saint Feichin flourished in the 7th century. There is no record of his having visited what is now Scotland, but followers of his cult may have founded a monastery among the Picts at St Vigeans as early as the 8th century. This is shown by the unusual dedication, and especially by the collection of more than thirty elaborately carved stones preserved in the St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum (converted from an old cottage) in the village (Historic Scotland; key from Arbroath Abbey visitor centre). The collection includes cross-slabs, some with Pictish symbols, cross fragments, recumbents, and architectural fragments. It is one of the largest and finest in Scotland of its period, and includes stonework dating from the 8th-12th centuries. Most of the stones were recovered from the parish church, into whose walls they had been incorporated as building rubble during the Middle Ages, during 19th-century 'restoration' work. Further fragments remain in the church's walls. A monastic context for the St Vigeans' sculptures is suggested by some of the stones showing representations of clerics and patristic scenes. The so-called Drosten Stone features a much-analyzed Hiberno-Saxon inscription.The presence of a formerly important, but moribund or redundant, monastic establishment at St Vigeans may have led William I of Scots to found nearby the Tironensian monastery of Arbroath Abbey, the former monastery's lands being donated to the new foundation. St Vigeans Church served as parish church to the inhabitants of Arbroath up to the Reformation. Built of the local red sandstone, it was a large and impressive example of a Scottish medieval parish kirk. Its situation on top of a prominent, steep-sided mound (presumably of glacial origin, though doubtless 'improved' by landscaping) is striking. Dating in part from the 12th century, but largely 15th century in date, the church unfortunately underwent a drastic 'restoration' in the late 19th century which, while it uncovered many Pictish fragments, also replaced most of the original architectural features of the church. It retains its internal round-pillared arcades, but all the doors and windows were renewed, so their original appearance has been lost. The western tower was also heightened and 'improved' by adding a castellated top and cap-house. The 18th-century headstones in the kirkyard, some of which are notably well carved, are interesting examples of folk-art, characteristic of Angus. There was once a legend that the kirk was built with stones used by an enslaved Kelpie, and for several years the local congregation would not enter the kirk during certain services for fear the building would collapse due to the Kelpie's curse. The 17th-century bridge across the Brothock Burn
The old village of St Vigeans consisted of a single street of red sandstone cottages flanking the foot of the church mound. These have been attractively restored and are well maintained. The Brothock Burn runs past the village and so through Arbroath (formerly Aberbrothock [and variants]), and is crossed by a bridge of 17th-century origin. The village lacks a shop or post-office, but does have a large public hall.
Shot in 4K. Edited in Corel Video Studio 10.
Note: The core content contained in the above combined articles, was originally written several A.N. Others + myself, then combined. It was all re-formatted, re-edited, with the spelling & grammar corrected, then added to where pertinent, before being updated by me, myself, and I, to suit this subject matter more exclusively.
Thank you to all those involved.
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a light Scots dialect, accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. He also wrote in standard English, and in these writings his political or civil commentary is often at its bluntest.
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Cup O Kindness BSL by Sense Scotland, Artform and Paragon Music
An evening of poetry and song inspired by Robert Burns performed and created by Sense Scotland and Artform perfomers and musicians, with musicians from Paragon Music.