Page 97 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

SOUTHERN SC O TLAND  95

site of a 15th-century Douglas
stronghold. The castle’s multi-
turreted, formidable exterior
conceals a priceless collection
of art trea sures as well as such
Jacobite relics as Bonnie Prince
Charlie’s camp kettle, sash and
money box. Hanging within oak-
panelled rooms are paint ings by
Thomas Gainsborough, Sir
Joshua Reynolds, Alan Ramsay
and Rembrandt, whose Old Lady The exterior of Burns Cottage, birthplace of Robert Burns
Reading takes pride of place. The
emblem of a crowned, winged y Burns Heritage Museum is set in beautiful
heart recalls the famous Douglas Trail countryside. It incorporates Burns
ancestor “The Good Sir James”. Cottage, the poet’s birthplace,
Legend has it he bore Robert South Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway. which houses memorabilia and
the Bruce’s heart on crusade n Dumfries (01387) 253862, Ayr a col lection of manuscripts. The
against the Moors in Spain. (01292) 290300. ∑ visitdumfriesand ruins of Alloway Kirk and the
galloway.co.uk 13th-century Brig o’ Doon have
the best period atmosphere.
Robert Burns (1759–96) left
behind a remarkable body of E Robert Burns Centre
work ranging from satirical Mill Rd, Dumfries. Tel (01387) 253374.
poetry to tender love songs. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat,
His status as national bard is 2–5pm Sun; Oct–Mar: 10am–1pm &
unchallenged and an official 2–5pm Tue–Sat. &
Burns Heritage Trail leads visitors E Burns House
around sights in south west Burns St, Dumfries. Tel (01387)
Scotland where he lived. 255297. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–5pm
In Dumfries, the Robert Mon–Sat, 2–5pm Sun; Oct–Mar:
Burns Centre focuses on his 10am–1pm & 2–5pm Tue–Sat.
years in the town, while Burns E Ellisland Farm
House, where he lived from Holywood Rd, Auldgirth. Tel (01387)
1793 to 1796, contains 740426. Open Apr–Sep: 10am–1pm &
memorabilia. His Greek-style 2–5pm Mon–Sat, 2–5pm Sun; Oct–
mausoleum can be found in Mar: 2–5pm Tue–Sat. & 7 8
The sturdy island fortress of Threave Castle St Michael’s Churchyard. ∑ ellislandfarm.co.uk
on the Dee At Ellisland Farm there are E Burns House and Museum
further displays, with some Castle St, Mauchline. Tel (01290)
t Threave Castle of Burns’s family possessions. 550045. Open 10:30am–6pm Tue &
Mauchline, some 18 km Wed, 1:30–8pm Thu, 10:30am–4pm Fri
Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway. & Sat. & 7 limited.
Tel (07711) 223101. 3 Dumfries. (11 miles) east of Ayr, has the
Open Apr–Sep: 10am– 4:30pm daily; Burns House and Museum in E Robert Burns Birthplace
Oct: 10am–3:30pm daily. & = another former residence. Museum
∑ historicenvironment.scot Alloway, just south of Ayr, is Alloway. Tel (01292) 443700. Open
the real centre of the Burns Trail. 10am–5:30pm (cottage 11am–5pm.
A menacing giant of a tower, The Robert Burns Birthplace & 7 « ∑ burnsmuseum.org.uk
this 14th-century Black Douglas
strong hold on an island in the Scottish Textiles
Dee commands the most com-
plete medieval riverside harbour Weaving in the Scottish Borders
in Scotland. Douglas’s struggles goes back to the Middle Ages,
against the early Stuart kings when monks from Flanders
resulted in his surrender here established a thriving woollen
after a two-month siege in 1455 trade with the Continent. Cotton
– but only after James II had be came an important source of
brought the cannon Mons Meg wealth in the Clyde Valley during
to batter the castle. Threave was the 19th century, when handloom
dismantled after Protestant weaving was overtaken by power-
driven mills. The popular Paisley
Covenant ers defeat ed its patterns were based on original
Catholic defenders in 1640. Only Indian designs.
the shell of the kitchen, great A colourful pattern from Paisley
hall and domestic levels remain.

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