As we celebrate Burns Night, it’s hard not to look at the quaint village that birthed the poet himself and how it’s now been taken over by a seaside town
The former village now forms part of a much bigger suburb (Image: ad_foto / Getty Images)
Not only was this the birthplace of Robert Burns but it also helped to inspire one of his most famous pieces, drawing in fans to the area every year.
Alloway once stood as a picturesque village close to the west coast of Scotland and home to the famous writer Robert Burns. The poet is renowned for his works across the world and celebrated each year on Burns Night but it all began in these quiet winding roads.
Arguably one of his most famous works, known as Tam o’ Shanter is heavily inspired by his birthplace and references the local church and mediaeval bridge, which now act as landmarks to visitors. The poem, which dates to 1790, describes a character whose drunken habits take him on a horse ride home one stormy night where he sees witches and warlocks ‘dancing with the devil’.
His father, William Burnes, just happens to be buried at the Auld Kirk church, which prominently features in the poem. At night, to create an eerie feel and a ghostly presence for tourists, the church is lit up with green lights at night.
As we find ourselves celebrating Burns Night once again on January 25, many Scots and fans of Burns’ work pay homage to his talents by visiting Alloway.
Although no longer a village, the area is now a suburb to a much bigger town, known as Ayr, which has essentially swallowed up this scenic area.
Thankfully the village has been able to maintain some of Burns’ legacy, as the cottage in which he lived has been maintained and is under the protection of the National Trust.
Sitting next to the home is a museum, dedicated entirely to showcasing his early manuscripts and works for fans to catch glimpses of.
Also buried within the village is a moving 19th-century memorial, in memory of Burns, which sits at the foot of the village, by the church he wrote about in his poem. It was designed by Thomas Hamilton and now acts as a stop point for many tourists to photograph.
In 1935 the lovely little village of Alloway was adjoined by the Royal Burgh of Ayr, making the village an official suburb and no longer a standalone spot. It has a total population of roughly 46,982 and has attempted to make numerous bids to change Ayr to city status.
A recent visitor to Alloway shared their experience on TripAdvisor: “These church remains are so atmospheric and enchanting. Often you can find yourself alone there and have a real good look at all the gravestones. You can see where Burns got his inspiration for part of the setting of Tom O Shanter.”
Meanwhile, another visitor said: “Even though I have lived most of my life in Burns Country and live less than 20 minutes away, this was the first time I have visited the museum and cottage. Really enjoyed the experience, especially the museum displays, but the real highlight was the cottage. Big shout out to the guide, very friendly and informative.”
