A TEAM of conservation architects have been appointed to draw up plans to save a farm built by Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.
The award-winning firm Collective Architecture has been appointed to develop plans to save the A-listed building by the charity responsible for safeguarding Ellisland Farm and Museum near Dumfries.
Built in 1788, the farmstead is recognised as a site of exceptional historic and cultural importance as it is where Burns wrote a third of his creative output, including famous works such as Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter.
Earlier plans for a new-built visitor centre on the site have been scaled back to focus solely on adapting and conserving the historic buildings, which several reports have assessed as being “at-risk”.
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 adapt certain structures to serve as event and education spaces.
Fairhurst welcomed the announcement, stating that Collective Architecture aims to ensure the legacy of the building is preserved.
She 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.”
The cottage that Burns built for his wife, Jean Armour, will also be restored as closely as possible to its original 1788 condition.
Modern alterations will be removed to create an “immersive historical experience” for visitors while a visitor accommodation will also be included in the plans to revamp the farm aiming to give people the chance to host creative retreats and workshops so that future generations of artists can also “see nature through the poet’s eyes”.
The design work is 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.
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 re-use.
“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.”
Collective Architecture, which owns studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, is one of several consultants appointed to the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project.
Peebles-based Abound will develop an interpretation plan for the site, while Rob Robinson Heritage will produce a revised business plan.
In addition, Peter Thierfeldt, whose previous experience includes The Willow Tea Rooms, The Citizens Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, has been appointed director of development to lead a major international fundraising campaign.
The development stage of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne is projected to cost more than £900,000 and could unlock more than £1.2 million from the Heritage Fund to help deliver the completed project.
