We are delighted to share that Dumfries and Galloway Council has awarded the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust £270,061 towards the next stage in the restoration of Ellisland Farm, the only home Robert Burns designed and built himself, and the place where he wrote Auld Lang Syne.
The grant comes from the council’s Community Led Economic Regeneration Framework (CLERF) and was approved by the Economy and Infrastructure Committee following a rigorous internal assessment by senior officers. It represents a significant proportion of the funding for this phase of work, which has a total value of more than £370,000.
The award will allow Collective Architecture to take forward RIBA Stage 4 technical design — the milestone that makes the project construction-ready and potentially unlocks the full capital funding package needed for delivery. It is a decisive step for a Category A listed site of national importance, whose buildings are at risk and in need of urgent conservation.
The Trust is grateful to the council for an investment that brings the restoration meaningfully closer to delivery.
Councillor Andy Ferguson, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “Ellisland is one of Dumfries and Galloway’s most important cultural assets, with a unique place in Scotland’s history as the home built by Robert Burns. This investment will help secure the next stage of the project, moving it closer to becoming a must visit destination that celebrates our heritage while supporting the local economy.”
Councillor Tony Berretti, Vice-Chair of the committee, added: “We are pleased to support the Trust and partners in bringing forward plans that will protect the site and create new opportunities for visitors and communities alike.”
Joan McAlpine, Project Director of the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to Dumfries and Galloway Council for this major investment, which allows us to take Ellisland to the next stage of delivery. This funding is a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of Burns tourism in Dumfries and Galloway. By transforming Ellisland into an international destination, we can significantly strengthen the region’s cultural offer and ensure that the place where Auld Lang Syne was written achieves the global recognition it deserves.”
Kevin Bryson, Partner at Gardiner & Theobald, has been appointed project manager for this stage. He brings extensive experience in heritage projects, including work on Category A listed buildings such as the conservation of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Hill House in Helensburgh.
The council’s support follows a recent £25,000 grant from the Pilgrim Trust, a conservation charity, and comes alongside funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise. Earlier stages of the design were supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Economic impact
Independent analysis by BiGGAR Economics sets out the project’s potential, including £840,900 in local economic benefits and 25 jobs each year in Dumfries and Galloway, £1.1 million in economic benefits and 30 jobs across Scotland, and a further 40 jobs supported through visitor spending. The project aligns with Community Wealth Building and net-zero principles, and with the council’s priorities for economy, health and wellbeing.
Completion of RIBA Stage 4 will open the way for major funding applications ahead of construction, with the restored site expected to open in 2028.