About Ellisland Farm

Robert Burns took up the lease of the farm at Whitsun 1788 but did not begin farming until 11th June that year. He brought his wife Jean Armour, and his two year-old son Robert (Bobby) to Ellisland the following December.

Two further sons, Francis Wallace and William Nicol, were born at Ellisland Farm.

Burns shot to fame a few years earlier and had been touring the country as “the toast of Scottish society”. In 1788 he “resolves to lead a retired, domestic life” and had also been in training for the lucrative and respectable post of an Excise Officer. A post had just become vacant in Nithsdale and by coincidence, one of his Edinburgh aquaintances Patrick Miller had just purchased the nearby estate at Dalswinton. Dalswinton was a few miles north of Dumfries and also had three vacant farms. Robert was offered the first choice of the three.

Robert Burns described Ellisland Farm as “the poet’s choice” of those farms offered by Patrick Miller, his landlord.  Here he could find inspiration, whereas he felt the other farms lacked soul.

At Ellisland Robert built his own house, a splendid six apartment house (described as a “modest mansion” by visitors in 1789) with views over the Nith. Ellisland is a national treasure as it is so unchanged and shows us exactly how Robert and Jean lived during the peak of their wealth and the height of his poetical inspiration.

The farm comprised of 170 acres with an orchard.  Burns had 9 or 10 cows, including 3 fine Ayrshire cows; 4 horses and some sheep. The Ayrshire dairying system was introduced and cheese, including ewe-milk cheese, was made.

Robert Burns described Ellisland Farm as “the poet’s choice”  he could find inspiration here, he felt the other farms lacked soul.

Once the family had left Ellisland it passed to another tenant and in 1805 it was sold to a local farming family. That family owned the farm until 1921. Over the years they welcomed visitors to two rooms of the house which had been preserved. They also amassed a considerable collection of artefacts and manuscripts which today can still be seen at Ellisland.

In 1922 the farm was purchased by Mr George Williamson, a wealthy Edinburgh wool merchant who was an admirer of Burns. On his death the house, farm and its collection were bequeathed to the nation for the sole purpose of  “The contemplation of the life and works of Robert Burns”.

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, a new trust formed in 2020, continues to manage the house and farm as a museum and are supported by volunteers.