Schools and nurseries across the region have been invited to sign up to a free event for the January “Burns season” in Dumfries.
Sessions are being hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Arts and Museum’s Service this month so youngsters can “meet” national bard Robert Burns, and his wife Jean Armour, at their former home in the town, which is now Burns House Museum.
The Meet Robert Burns offer is also open to youth groups and other education providers as part of their celebrations around Burns Night.
Booking via email at: dumfriesmuseum@dumgal.gov.uk, or by phone at 01387 253374, is essential and visits will be limited to 30 students at a time due to the size of the venue and will last for up to two hours. They will take place weekdays from yesterday until January 28. A full Covid risk assessment will be available ahead of the visit and the property and any objects handled will be cleaned between visits.
The poet died in the property in 1796 aged 37 and his family lived there until the 1830s. Burns House has become a place of pilgrimage for enthusiasts from around the world.
It is the chance for young people to look around the house which is dressed for the 1700s and they will get to handle historic objects and see rooms used by Burns and his family.
His study is there where he wrote, during last three years of his life, some of his best-known songs and he’s scratched his signature on a windowpane with his diamond-tipped stylus.
The sessions with “Burns” include exploring Jean’s cookbook and finding out about the foods that her husband liked – and didn’t like. And to hear him talk about his experiences in Dumfries and family life in the past. There will be opportunities to dress up and try on clothing from the past as part of the visit.
