His birthplace in Alloway, some two miles from the county town of Ayr, is the ideal starting point for any tour of the Ayrshire Land of Burns. Using the Burns National Heritage Park as a base you can visit the thatched cottage, referred to as the 'Auld Clay Biggin', which has been restored to its original setting as it was in the poet's time. An adjacent museum houses a unique collection of original manuscripts, including "Auld Lang Syne", paintings and personal artefacts. Within the village is the historic Kirk Alloway (circa 1516) where the poet's father and sister Isabella lie buried. The Kirk and the close-by Auld Brig O'Doon are famed for their scenes in the poet's prose "Tam O' Shanter". Vivid oil paintings of these scenes can be viewed at the nearby Rozelle House Galleries, which houses the Goudie collection.

Most of Burns' short life was spent working on farms, three of these being rented farms in Ayrshire - Mount Oliphant (1766), Lochlea (1777) where his father died in 1784 and Mossgiel (1784). In Leglen Wood, some three miles east of Ayr, stands a cairn commemorating Sir William Wallace. Burns was a great admirer of the Scottish patriot and as a young boy visited the wood, reputed to have been the hiding place of his hero.

Eighteen miles from Alloway is the town of Irvine where, in 1781, Burns went to learn the trade of flax dressing. To understand this important period in the poet's life visit the Irvine Burns Club (founded in 1862), which has its own Burns Museum with many rare manuscripts, and the Vennel Gallery and Heckling Shed in the town's in the town's Glasgow Vennel. Failford, with its Monument, lies two and a half miles west of Mauchline and is where the poet and his 'Highland Mary' met for the last time "on a Sunday in May" in 1786.

The town of Mauchline has many Burns connections including Mossgiel Farm which lies on the outskirts of the town. Like Alloway, it is a mecca for the thousands of visitors interested in the life and works of Burns. A visit to the Burns House and Museum in Mauchline's Back Causeway cannot be missed, and the house has recently been refurbished. It was the first home in 1788 of Burns and his wife, Mauchline-born 'bonie Jean Armour', prior to them leaving Ayrshire for Ellisland Farm in Dumfries. The street in which the poet's house is situated has changed little in appearance since those early days. Adjacent to Burns House is the historic Mauchline Churchyard, where four of Burns' young children are buried, together with his wife's parents and a host of his associates. The farm of Mossgiel is where Burns composed many of his famous poems including "To a Mouse", "The Cotter's Saturday Night" and "The Brigs of Ayr".

It was during this period (1785-86) that Burns sent his poems to John Wilson (Printer) in Kilmarnock and on 31st July 1786, 612 copies of his "Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" were published at 3/- per copy. These sold out within two weeks. Today, a copy of these poems would fetch at auction over £20,000.

In Kilmarnock is Dean Castle, well known to Burns, and now the home of the Robert Burns World Federation. With a membership spanning the world, the Federation was founded in 1885. Historic Dean Castle has connection with the Earl of Glencairn, an early patron of the poet, and the castle stages periodic Burns exhibitions.

In 1780 Burns established a Debating Society in the village of Tarbolton, which is now referred to as the Bachelors' Club and houses a small Burns Museum. The property is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, as is Souter Johnnie's Cottage at Kirkoswald with its Burns associated Museum. The poet went to school at Kirkoswald for a short period.

It was at Tarbolton that Burns became a Mason, and a visit to the Museum of Lodge Tarbolton (Kilwinning) sheds light on his Masonic associations. Willie's Mill, on the outskirts of the village, was the home of the poet's friend William Muir and where Bonie Jean took refuge during her second pregnancy, prior to moving to Mauchline. Many rivers and streams run through Ayrshire, most of them being referred to in the poet's songs and poems, such as "Sweet Afton".

Today throughout the world many monuments and Burns Clubs exist to celebrate the Ayrshire Bard. None more so than today in Ayrshire where the legend of Burns truly comes to light - "That man to man the world, o'er, Shall brithers be for a' that."

The Burns an' a' that! festival runs throughout Ayrshire in May/June to celebrate the life of the bard. Main events include a Gala Concert at Culzean Castle and the Holy Fair at Mauchline whilst numerous fringe events offer a wide range of entertainment. For further information on the festival please click here.