The Bard's wearing a mask.
If you’d muttered those words to anyone this time last year they’d have surely thought you’d lost the plot.
But it's 2020, and it's exactly that which now greets returning visitors to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum after it reopened last week.
A statue of the poet inside the Alloway museum has been given its very own face covering as punters were welcomed back for the first time since March.
All facilities are now open from Thursday to Monday, including the immersive Burns exhibition, Scots Wa-Hey children’s play area and the café.
Caroline Smith, Operations Manager at the museum said: “Our team has been working extremely hard to prepare the museum and cottage for reopening.
“We understand that the threat of the coronavirus is still very real and the safety of our visitors and staff is our absolute priority – we’ve had to make a few changes so that everyone can enjoy Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.
“There will be hand sanitiser stations at various points and we ask that people maintain a social distance at all times.
“There also will be limited seating in the café, which will be offering a reduced menu. Due to the size of the rooms inside the cottage, only one person or family group are allowed in a room at one time.
“Visitors will be asked to wait until the room in front of them clears before entering.”
The thatched cottage where Burns was born in 1759 and lived until the age of seven will also be open to visitors, who can glimpse into the Bard’s early life and the inspiration behind his poetry.
The museum and Burns Cottage are owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland and support from members has allowed the conservation charity to continue extensive conservation work on the traditional thatched roof during the pandemic.
Centuries of Scots winters had taken their toll and the roof had significant tears and the thatch was rotting underneath.
Repairs have now been completed, with specialist teams replacing the traditional thatched roof and repairing the walls and chimney.
Caroline added: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors back and telling the fascinating stories of Scotland’s National Bard.
“Thanks to the generous donations we’ve received, we’ve been able to bring in specialists to maintain the original construction of the cottage and make sure that it’s there for generations to enjoy.”
