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Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard
Discover on This Tour
- Burns Cottage, Poet’s Path and Alloway Kirk
- Brig O’Doon, Burns Monument and Memorial Garden
- Burns Birthplace Museum
- Burns House
- Burns Mausoleum
About This Tour
This is a private, full day, driver-guided tour. Your expert guide will pick you up and drop you off at your Edinburgh accommodation with their vehicle. This tour is also available from Glasgow.
Tour Itinerary
Our journey begins in Edinburgh, where we will drive past the Robert Burns Monument on our way out of the city towards the Burns heartland of Alloway. On arrival, our first stop will be at Burns Cottage.
Built in 1757, this tiny dwelling welcomed Scotland’s beloved poet Robert Burns into the world just two years later, and careful restoration has ensured the cottage has changed little since. The bard’s birthplace remains true to its humble origins, allowing visitors to step back in time to the days of Burns’ childhood. We will explore the cottage, with its intimate and fascinating glimpse into daily life on an 18th century Scottish smallholding.
From the cottage we will stroll down Poet’s Path, reliving the tale of Tam o’ Shanter, one of Burns’ most famous protagonists. Making our way to the Auld Alloway Kirk, we will discover the ancient ruined church that provided the perfect ghostly setting for the tale. Continuing in Tam’s footsteps we will come to the Brig o’ Doon, a medieval stone arched bridge over the River Doon. Thought to have been built in the 1400s, the bridge offers fine views on all sides as well as a pivotal role in Burns’ epic narrative poem.
Next we will enter the Burns Memorial Garden, a peaceful spot offering scenic views and further commemoration of the bard and his life. Here we will see the Burns Monument, rising out of the gardens in Grecian splendour.
After lunch we will visit the Burns Birthplace Museum, exploring exhibitions that offer a unique chance to get up close and personal with Burns’s genius and legacy.
Getting back on the road, we will drive to the town of Dumfries and visit Robert Burns House, where Scotland’s favourite son lived out his final years and penned some of his best-known works. In this modest sandstone residence frequented by famous figures of the past, we will find an intriguing collection of Burns’ personal belongings and original manuscripts.
Proceeding from here we will make a final stop at the nearby Burns Mausoleum, before returning to Edinburgh where the tour will finish.
Photos: Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard
About Your Guide
Our local, expert guides are simply the best in the business, and the primary ingredient in what makes our tours great.
As passionate ambassadors for Scotland, our guides bring Scotland to life through their knowledge, personal stories and life experiences, allowing you to truly immerse yourself into the best our country has to offer. In their safe and capable hands, you can rest assured you’re being well looked after from start to finish. So relax as we take you on an unforgettable journey to discover our rich history, proud heritage, unique culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
All of our guides are passionate expert freelance tourist guides. They are trained to the highest level of tourist guide certification in Scotland by the Scottish Tourist Guides Association, meeting European Standards CEN EN15565:2008 and accredited by both the European Federation of Tourist Guide Associations and the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations.
Where & When
Start: Your guide will meet you with their vehicle at your Edinburgh accommodation at 8AM.
Finish: At the end of the tour your guide will drop you off at your Edinburgh accommodation at approximately 7:30PM.
Activity Level
Easy Activity: Driver-Guided tour by private vehicle with some walking involved to visit attractions
FAQs
What is Included and Not Included?
Included:
- Pick up from and drop off at your Edinburgh accommodation
- Private Blue Badge Tourist Guide
- Private Transport
Not Included:
- Meals and drinks
- Entry to Burns Birthplace Museum and Burns Cottage. These can be purchased on arrival and are both covered under the same ticket.
What Entrance Fees are Required?
Burns Birthplace Museum and Burns Cottage 2020 Fees
Adult (18-59): £7.50
Senior(60+): £4.50
Child (0-17): £4.50
All visits to venues and attractions are optional.
What is the Cancellation Policy for this Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by you 21 or more full days before tour departure: 100% refund.
Cancellation by you less than 21 full days before tour departure: No refund.
What Happens If I’m Late or If I Miss the Tour?
If you are running late, please contact the guide directly using the contact details we have provided to you after booking. Your tour finish time does not change. No refunds are issued for ‘no shows’ or missed tours.
Terms & Conditions
For further information please see our full Terms, Conditions, and Cancellation Policy.
Can I Customise This Tour?
Yes, all of our tours can be customised to an itinerary or specification that suits you. Please contact us before booking to discuss further.
Is This Tour Suitable for Children?
All of our tours are suitable for children but please do bear in mind the following when booking this tour:
- This tour is a 11.5 hour long tour.
- Any children on this tour who are who are both under the age of 12 and under 135cm/4ft 5in tall will require child car seats. Please indicate during booking how many child car seats you require.
What About Travel Insurance?
We recommend that participants on our tours arrange for themselves suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance in advance.
What Does On-Request Booking Mean?
This Tour is Booked On-Request. We will seek to confirm your booking as soon as possible and endeavour to do so within 3 days of you making the booking. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your booking after 3 days we will inform you of this by email.
At this point you will then have the option of either:
- A 100% refund of your payment, or
- An alternative date for your tour (subject to availability)
I Have A Question Not Answered Here
For all other enquiries, please contact us.
