Tourism

FAMOUS PEOPLE

Literature - ROBERT BURNS (1759 - 1796)

No visitor to this part of the world should miss visiting Mauchline, which was the home of Robert Burns during the most creative period of his life. Here he met many of the characters who inspired him and wrote his poems about them.

Lovers of Robert Burns' poems will also wish to visit beautiful Afton Glen near New Cumnock, ("flow gently sweet Afton"). Partway along the Glen a memorial has been created by local Burns enthusiasts.

At The Cross in Kilmarnock town centre stands a statue of Burns and the printer, John Wilson, commemorating the publication of the first edition of Burns' poems close to that site in 1786. An original copy of the 'First Edition' or 'Kilmarnock Edition' can be seen at Dean Castle, Kilmarnock, along with a collection of Burns' handwritten manuscripts.

On the 27th January 1877 there was an anniversary meeting to honour Robert Burns in the George Inn Hall, Kilmarnock, attended by upwards of 250 people. At this meeting it was proposed, and unanimously agreed, that a statue be erected in some suitable place in Kilmarnock to the honour of the poet. A committee was appointed to carry out the proposal. The appeal to the public for funding met with unprecedented success, and no less that £2,488 was collected in 18 months. With such a large fund at their disposal, the original plan was extended to include an ornamental building and Museum in addition to the statue. The plans of Robert Ingram, architect, Kilmarnock were accepted for the building, while the statue was thrown open to competition. Eventually, the committee awarded the commission for the statue to W. G. Stevenson, sculptor, Edinburgh.

On the afternoon of September 14th 1878 R. W. COCHRAN-PATRICK, Esq. of Woodside, laid the memorial stone in the presence of a large crowd in the Kay Park in Kilmarnock.. The statue was unveiled on 9th August 1879 by Colonel Alexander of Ballochmyle, before the largest number of spectators Kilmarnock had ever witnessed. The Museum building was in the Scottish Baronial style. It consisted of 2 storeys and a tower, the total height being 80 feet. Unfortunately, the monument was severely damaged in a fire in November 2004.

Related Information:

Burns House Museum, Mauchline
Burns Monument, Kay Park, Kilmarnock