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Visit Brig o’Doon, Visit Alloway

April 25, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Brig o'Doon, Alloway, Ayrshire

This evening, I am posting information on the famous Brig o’Doon at Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Brig o’Doon is Scots- English for Bridge over the River Doon.

This bridge dates from the 1400s and no longer carries vehicular traffic. It as immortalised in the Robert Burns’ poem Tam O’Shanter where he (Tam) and Meg escape the clutches of the witch Nannie by galloping over the Brig o’Doon, leaving Nannie with nothing more than Meg’s tale.

The bridge has also lent its name to:

The 1947 musical, Brigadoon by Lerner and Loewe.
The 1954 film of the musical with Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse

A visit to this bridge is essential for guests visiting Burns country. Close by is the Burns Monument and Burns Cottage.

Brig o'Doon, Alloway, Ayrshire

Brig o'Doon, Alloway, Scotland

Ayrshire, Buildings, Locations, People, Robert Burns, Scotland tour, Tours none

Visit Burns Cottage, Visit Alloway

April 24, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

: Burns Cottage, Alloway, Ayrshire

This evening, I am focusing on the birthplace of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. This is located in the village of Alloway, south of Glasgow. It was here that Burns was born on Jan 25th 1759. His early years were spent here and influences from the immediate locality, such as the Brig o’Doon and Alloway Kirk found their way into his poetry.

The cottage was built by Burns father with his own hands in 1756. Burns called it ‘an ald, cley biggin’. It actually fell apart during a violent storm in 1759 and had to be rebuilt.

After the Burns family moved two miles away in 1766 the cottage and seven acres of cultivated land was let to various tenants until 1781 when it was sold to the Incorporation of Shoemakers in Ayr who let it out as an alehouse. Subsequently, the Alloway Monument Trustees rescued and restored the building to more or less its current state. The cottage is now under managemnt of the National Trust for Scotland and is a popular visitor attraction in the area.

Burns Cottage, Alloway, Ayrshire

Inside Burns Cottage, Alloway, Ayrshire

I visit Alloway about twice a year in course of tours. Here is most recent blog post.

Ayr, Ayrshire, Buildings, Locations, People, Robert Burns, Scotland tour, Tours none

Taste Scotland’s Beers, Taste Scotland

March 3, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Burns Cottage, Alloway, Scotland

This afternoon I attended a special Burns themed event at the Birthplace Museum of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. The museum is located about 45 mins south of Glasgow near the Ayrshire coast on the West of Scotland.

The event commenced around 1.00pm with the underlying them of ‘Burns Beer Festival 2012′ and sub titled ‘A peck o’maut’ in Scots English. The series of events comprised:

A talk on smuggling in 18th century Ayrshire. ( Burns at one time was a customs agent employed to combat the extensive smuggling industry.)
A talk by a learned academic on the works of Scots poet Robert Fergusson whose works served as a great inspiration to Burns.
Welly throwing competition.
Talk on Malting, Brewing and Distilling.
Pub Quiz.
Ceilidh ( traditional community dance).

: Visitor Group, Burns Cottage, Alloway

Here are the beers ( real ales) on offer which include two with names inspired by Burns: ‘Timerous Beastie’ and ‘Rabbies Porter’. In Britain, the term ‘real ale’ is used to describe a traditional, flavoursome beer which continues to ferment in the cask from which it is served. This category of beer is usually produced on a small scale by specialist, local brewers.

: Scottish Real Ales at Burns Cottage, Alloway

Rear of Burns Cottage, Alloway, Scotland

Overall, an interesting afternoon entailing some sightseeing along the nearby Ayrshire coast.

Ayrshire, Buildings, Culture, Food & Drink, Locations, People, Robert Burns, Scotland tour, Tours none

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