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Stay at Ellisland

Book a holiday in Auld Acquaintance Cottage

Our new holiday cottage is open for bookings!

Robert Burns was inspired by the tranquil, scenic setting of Ellisland, describing it as ‘the poet’s choice’. The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust has recently refurbished a riverside self-catering cottage in the grounds of the historic site so that visitors can be inspired by Ellisland, just as Burns was.

Contemporary Comfort

Auld Acquaintance Cottage has been recently refurbished with contemporary Scottish styling, where rich colours, natural textures and atmospheric lighting inspire comfort and relaxation. The spacious open plan sitting room, with locally designed wood burning stove, is the perfect place to curl up with a book after a riverside walk.

Respect for nature and the environment is reflected in the approach the Trust has taken to sympathetically refurbish the cottage. For example, an air source heat pump provides low carbon heating.

Kitchen in the holiday cottage
Dining table

Historic Views

The view towards the river from Auld Acquaintance Cottage is almost identical to the view that Burns would have enjoyed from the desk in his Spence. In fact, the original cottage, designed by Burns for his family, can be seen from the dining table. We invite you to raise a toast to friendship and the days of auld lang syne during your stay.

Sleeps Three+

Auld Acquaintance Cottage has two bedrooms. The master bedroom includes a king size bed with an en-suite with shower cubicle and toilet. The second bedroom contains a single bed. If additional sleeping space is needed, there’s also sofa bed in the sitting room.

All the rooms are on the ground floor, and there are two small steps to access the property. Pets are allowed by arrangement. There’s a small garden and patio area with outdoor seating so you can make the most of the natural surroundings.

Master bedroom
Ensuite in master bedroom

A Sensitive Approach

We are acutely aware of the importance of balancing respect for the historic site, with providing access and educational opportunities at Ellisland. The Trust is embarking on a programme of ‘conservation through use’ to protect Ellisland, which means we are opening up some areas of the site to tourism activity. By booking Auld Acquaintance Cottage, visitors are providing valuable income to the Trust that will help protect the future of Ellisland.

Beloved Ellisland

For eighteen years Auld Acquaintance Cottage was the home of Mrs Pat Saunders, before she moved into residential care in 2021. She loved this place and celebrated her 90th birthday here, still independently occupying her beloved cottage, where she would take daily walks along the banks of the Nith, trying to spot the kingfishers. We are delighted to now be able to extend the opportunity to experience staying at Ellisland to more people.

Wire sign with the chorus of Auld Lang Syne
Complementary toiletries

Booking now available

Bookings are available through AirBnB.

Become a member

Find out how to become a member at Ellisland.

Burns at Ellisland

Burns experienced his most creative and fruitful years here at Ellisland with Jean Armour and their children. He found great poetic inspiration in the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the various people he met and the events he witnessed whilst living here.

Burns Attractions

Ellisland Museum & Farm is conveniently situated on the road between Robert Burns’ birthplace in Alloway and his final resting place at St Michael’s Cemetery in Dumfries. Ellisland is part of the Footsteps of Burns trail in and around Dumfries.

Our Collection

There is so much to see at Ellisland Museum & Farm, so please allow at least an hour for a short visit and two to three hours for a full visit. We’re a short, 5 mile drive from the centre of nearby Dumfries, just off the A76.

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