Things to do
The Bachelors club Tarbolton
Under the thatched roof of this humble-looking, 17th-century house in Tarbolton, Ayrshire, Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, learned to dance, founded a debating club and became a Freemason. Just a few years later Burns made his name with the publication of Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, which soon garnered widespread literary acclaim and established him as ‘the plowman poet’.
A visit to this authentically restored house, now converted into a museum chronicling the formative years of one of Scotland’s greatest literary talents, is a must for any Burns enthusiast. For more information visit www.nts.org.uk/Property/Bachelors-Club/
Robert Burns Museum
Scotland’s Bard is synonymous with Ayrshire and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway is a truly unique experience and the perfect place to learn about Scotland’s favourite son. The museum houses Burns’ most important collection of works, while visitors also have the chance to see the Burns Cottage and other historic landmarks. For further information visit www.burnsmuseum.org.uk.
Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory occupies a fantastic hilltop site on the edge of the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park. This publically accessible educational observatory has some of the darkest skies in the UK and two large telescopes through which to observe the night sky.
The Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park was the first Dark Sky Park in the UK and Europe, and was award a Gold-tier status by the International Dark-Sky Association.
This new observatory includes a 20” Corrected Dall Kirkham telescope in a 5 metre dome and a 14″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope for a more hands-on, open air observing experience. For further information visit www.scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk
Cycling Ayrshire
With many fantastic cycle routes with some of the best views in the world Ayrshire is a must for the cycle enthusiast. The routes are varied and will suit the very best of cyclist to the novices among us. Please visit www.cycleayrshire.co.uk for further information.
