Major restoration plans for Robert Burns's Ellisland Farm approved
Robert Burns' historic home in Dumfriesshire set for a significant conservation upgrade
Last updated 30th Apr 2026
The historic Ellisland Farm, famously known as the home where Robert Burns penned some of his most celebrated works, is set for a major restoration following the approval of plans by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Conservation architects Collective Architecture will spearhead efforts to rejuvenate the Dumfriesshire site, reversing structural deterioration and restoring Burns’s original cottage to its 1791 condition.
Ellisland Farm holds historical significance as the only home designed and built by Robert Burns himself, who arrived at the site with his wife Jean Armour in 1788.
The Category A listed farmstead is seen as a national treasure, having remained largely unchanged over centuries.
Joan McAlpine, Project Director of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, expressed her excitement, stating that the approval marked a "major milestone in the race to Save the Home of Auld Lang Syne."
She highlighted the Trust's vision to transform Ellisland into a leading heritage and cultural centre.
Conservation Plans
The approved conservation plans will address longstanding damage and create climate-appropriate storage for valuable manuscripts and artefacts.
The focus will be on preserving the original 18th-century A-listed buildings and providing an authentic visitor experience emulating the view Burns himself would have had upon arrival.
Future Developments
Visitor accommodation will be introduced on the 140-acre site to generate sustainable income, inspired by Burns's own writing retreat among nature.
Emma Fairhurst, Conservation Architect at Collective Architecture, emphasized the importance of integrating contemporary additions while preserving the site's heritage.
Collective Architecture began their work with the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust in July 2025.
Duncan Dornan, Chair of the Trust, noted the blend of research and modern conservation techniques in creating an authentic experience of Burns's creative environment.
The Trust, established in February 2020, continues to transform Ellisland Farm and has secured substantial funding for restoration efforts, including support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Additionally, the Trust has renovated on-site holiday accommodation to promote sustainability through use.
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.