3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Restoration planned for only farm built by Robert Burns
Dating back to 1788 and built by Burns himself, the farmstead is recognised as a site of exceptional historic and cultural importance.
It was built as a family home for his wife, Jean Armour, on the banks of the River Nith, and was acquired by the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust in 2020.
Read More:
The trust quickly identified a number of repairs which are needed to preserve the farmstead, and a conservation architect-led design team has been appointed following a tendering process.
Collective Architecture, an award-winning and 100 percent employee-owned practice with studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee will adapt and conserve the historic buildings, as part of the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise, Museums Galleries Scotland, and The Holywood Trust.
Led by Emma Fairhurst and Gerry Hogan of Collective Architecture, the team will develop proposals to reverse historic damage to the 18th-century buildings, provide a safe home for the museum collection, and sensitively adapt certain structures to serve as event and education spaces.
The brief also includes creating visitor accommodation on what Burns called 'Sweet Poetic Ground,' with the aim of hosting creative retreats and workshops so that future generations of artists can also 'see nature through the poet's eyes'.
The cottage that Burns built for his wife will be restored as closely as possible to its original 1788 condition. Modern alterations will be removed to create an immersive historical experience for visitors.
Joan McAlpine, Project Director of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne, said: 'The Trust was impressed by Collective's collaborative approach and their outstanding track record in conservation-led adaptive reuse.
"We particularly admired their work on other A-listed sites such as the restoration of the Calton Hill Observatory in Edinburgh and the James Watt Institute in Greenock. Both projects involved the sensitive adaptation of heritage buildings housing important collections.
"Now that we are focused on delivering our vision using the A listed farm buildings, Collective's expertise made them our first choice.'
Emma Fairhurst of Collective Architecture said: 'It is a privilege to be appointed to lead the design team for Ellisland Farm, a site of deep historical and cultural value.
"We look forward to working closely with The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust to restore and enhance this remarkable place, ensuring its legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come."
