We are planning on staying in Edinburgh for 4 nights in March and would like to include Robert Burns sites in our jam packed itinerary. Interested in the opinions of anyone who has visited the Burns birthplace and museum in Alloway or where he died in Dumfries. Dumfries sounds interesting and worthwhile, but not easy to get to given that we thought we would take a train from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then another train to Ayr for Alloway. Alternatively, it appears that there may be a bus to Ayr from Edinburgh. I haven't found any tours that seem worth the expense, and none that include Dumfries. Should we spend 3 nights in Edinburgh and one night in Glasgow instead of all four in Edinburgh? Unfortunately, that is all the time we have in Scotland, at least this time. Thanks!
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1639 posts
Ayr and Ayrshire are Rabbie Burns country. If you want Robert Burns no ifs no buts it is Ayrshire.
The birthplace and museum are both by Ayr and are the same ticket if not NTS members. The museum gives a good run through of his life and the times he wrote in.
However given the travel to get to Ayr from Glasgow, yet alone Edinburgh, that will be a day. It is an hour each way for me to Ayr from here before I do anything there.
Posted by
OP
Chicago, Illinois, USA
30 posts
Thank you very much, MC. I love Burns and am thrilled at an opportunity to get to see some of his sites. I'd also like to see some of Glasgow, and it sounds like we'd better plan on a night there and one less night in Edinburgh. So much history, and so much to see in this small country!
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I did a day trip from Paisley years ago. I enjoyed it. There was a video on the Tam O'Shanter poem. But from having looked at the website, it's looks like there has been a lot of change since my visit, which is great. My experience has been that the various tourist and heritage organizations have been investing in the properties. I came back via Largs as I had been reading a Nigel Tranter novel and had to see where the big sea battle of Scotland vs the Vikings had been. ; ). I'm not sure if I really recommend it. I was pretty wrapped up in the history. Maybe MC can chime in.
And, MC I was in Paisley waiting for the Air Canada strike to end. My trip was technically over, but I couldn't get home! The TI book the bed ahead put me there as convenient for the airport. It was my first trip back to Scotland and I did 't know my way around. The restaurant choices were really awful. Gee, they were just like the ones I've had in towns near American airports!
Pam
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1639 posts
The Burns birthplace museum has had a lot spent on it by the NTS and it shows. They have a lot of his memorabilia, and explanation of the times he wrote in and some interactive attractions.
Pam, you gave me a laugh. Largs is one of Glasgow's seaside towns, possibly not of interest to an international tourist. There is an attraction called Vikingar! there about the battle and Vikings in Scotland. It was good when I went last there a few years ago. And of course Nardini's ice cream.And that is it.
As for Paisley, not the best of the Glasgow commuter belt but not the worst, some places to see for visitors, some restaurants, but really just a commuter town for Glasgow with what that implies.
You would have been better in Glasgow itself.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Yes, indeed, I would have been better in Glasgow! Now I know that! I also know that I could have ditched the car and seen a lot of sites in Glasgow on that trip. But then I would have missed Ayre! :)
I thought you would laugh at Largs. Nigel Tranter steers one to the most out of the way places!
Pam
Posted by
Glasgow, Scotland
1639 posts
Pam it was brilliant! I only ever go to Largs if I am going somewhere else and it is on route, and stop if there is a free space near Nardini's for the ice cream!!! ;-)
Then again, I have probably been to places in other countries the locals are looking at me as if I am mad! Drawn there like you by a book or some kind of other interest.