Alloway, on the southern edge of Ayr, is popular with visitors as it was the birthplace of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. As well as the cottage he was born in, there is a very good museum (with cafe and shop) about his life and work as well as the Auld Kirk (the inspiration for the poem Tam o’ Shanter), the Brig o’ Doon and the Burns Monument. Although dating after Robert Burns, the parish Church is also worth visiting.
The Museum and Burns Cottage are in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and there is a charge for entry. The other attractions are free.
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum was opened in 2010 at a cost of £21 million. It replaced a smaller building next to Burns Cottage which is now used as an education centre. It covers all aspects of Burn’s life, with original manuscripts of his poems, letters, lock of his hair and pistol he carried as an Exciseman.
Poet’s Path
Burns Birthplace is reached by a 5-10 minute walk from the museum along the ‘Poet’s Path’. The weather vanes lining the path depict scenes from Tam o’ Shanter.
There are also statues of characters from other poems. The Mouse is a "Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie"
Of course there has to be a haggis...
The Twa Dogs was a satirical poem a conversation between two dogs - Luath and Caesar.
The fox with the broken chain illustrates “On Glenriddell's Fox Breaking His Chain”