Events
What’s on at Ellisland Museum & Farm
Upcoming Events
July 2026
2nd July – Summer Holidays at Ellisland: Silhouette Making
Step into history and get creative this summer at Ellisland Museum & Farm!
Our Summer Holiday Heritage Arts & Crafts Sessions offer children and families the opportunity to explore local heritage through hands-on creative activities inspired by the people, stories, nature, and rural life of Ellisland. Set within the beautiful historic surroundings of Burns’ farm and museum, each session combines learning, creativity, and fun!
Suitable for:
- Children and families
- Ages 4+
- No previous crafting experience required
Booking recommended.
4th July – Ye Jacobites at Ellisland!
Step back into the world of the Jacobites at Ellisland Museum & Farm on Saturday 4th July for a fun-filled family day of history and hands-on activities.
Led by an educational historian, this interactive event invites children and families to discover the stories, symbols and traditions of the Jacobite era through authentic costumes, historical equipment and exciting activities. Young visitors can explore what life was like during the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie while learning about the Jacobite themes and influences woven through Robert Burns’s poetry and songs.
With opportunities to dress up, handle replica objects and take part in lively historical activities, this is a perfect chance for children to experience Scotland’s past in the inspiring surroundings of Ellisland — the home of Scotland’s national bard.
5th July – ‘A Jacobite by Name?’: Jacobitism in the Life and Work of Robert Burns
Join us on Sunday 5 July, 2–3pm, for ‘A Jacobite By Name?’: Jacobitism in the Life and Work of Robert Burns, a fascinating talk delivered by Patrick Jamieson, PhD scholar at the University of Glasgow, exploring how ideas of identity, naming and political memory shaped Burns’s engagement with Jacobitism throughout his life and writing.
Refreshments will be provided.
Booking essential. Tickets by donation.
9th July – Summer Holidays at Ellisland: Quill Writing
Step into history and get creative this summer at Ellisland Museum & Farm!
Our Summer Holiday Heritage Arts & Crafts Sessions offer children and families the opportunity to explore local heritage through hands-on creative activities inspired by the people, stories, nature, and rural life of Ellisland. Set within the beautiful historic surroundings of Burns’ farm and museum, each session combines learning, creativity, and fun!
Suitable for:
- Children and families
- Ages 4+
- No previous crafting experience required
Booking recommended.
16th July – Summer Holidays at Ellisland: Embroidery
Step into history and get creative this summer at Ellisland Museum & Farm!
Our Summer Holiday Heritage Arts & Crafts Sessions offer children and families the opportunity to explore local heritage through hands-on creative activities inspired by the people, stories, nature, and rural life of Ellisland. Set within the beautiful historic surroundings of Burns’ farm and museum, each session combines learning, creativity, and fun!
Suitable for:
- Children and families
- Ages 4+
- No previous crafting experience required
Booking recommended.
16th July – Pinocchio at Robert Burns Ellisland Farm
Carlo Collodi’s classic is a perennial favourite. It is the third most translated book in the world, having appeared in no fewer than 260 languages since it was published in 1883, and has never been out of print. Childless toymaker Geppetto buys a piece of wood to make a puppet – little realising the chaos he is about to unleash. The puppet yearns for adventure and runs away, but instead of excitement only finds glorious attractions containing hidden dangers. He returns home hoping to be showered with sympathy and learns his tribulations are just beginning. Running away hasn’t worked; lying won’t work; he must become a real boy to achieve the belonging he craves.
Collodi describes the development from puppet to real boy in the same way that useless green timber is matured into useful well-seasoned wood – a transformation only achieved through trials of water and fire.
Illyria celebrates this magical coming-of-age tale in a thrilling musical outdoor show.
18th July – NithLife Summer Evening Event at Ellisland
Join NithLife for a wildlife-packed evening at Ellisland Farm which will include:
- Looking for bats, moths, owls and other night-time activities
- Fly Tying demonstrations
- Poetry and storytelling
- Open Stage Session
Attendees can enjoy an evening walk along the River Nith and take in Ellisland’s beautiful surroundings as evening turns to night.
This event is ticketed by NithLife.
30th July – Summer Holidays at Ellisland: Print Making
Step into history and get creative this summer at Ellisland Museum & Farm!
Our Summer Holiday Heritage Arts & Crafts Sessions offer children and families the opportunity to explore local heritage through hands-on creative activities inspired by the people, stories, nature, and rural life of Ellisland. Set within the beautiful historic surroundings of Burns’ farm and museum, each session combines learning, creativity, and fun!
Suitable for:
- Children and families
- Ages 4+
- No previous crafting experience required
Booking recommended.
August 2026
1st August – Burns Summer Celebration
Join us on Saturday 1st August for a special Burns Summer Celebration at Ellisland Museum & Farm, as we mark the 230th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns.
Event Highlights
- Large family ceilidh with live music and dancing
- Fun games and activities for all ages
- Raffle with exciting prizes
- Refreshments available
Whether you’re a Burns enthusiast, a keen dancer, or simply looking for a fun family day out, we’d love to welcome you to Ellisland for this special anniversary celebration.
Book your tickets now and join the festivities!
4th August – Burns and the Scottish Enlightenment: Reflections on the 250th Anniversary of America
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, join writer, Global Scot and Ellisland trustee Ian Houston for a thought-provoking exploration of the connections between Robert Burns, the Scottish Enlightenment, and the birth of modern Americ
Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to take part in an informal discussion exploring Burns’s continuing international legacy.
Refreshments will be provided.
Booking required. Tickets by donation.
15th August – Be a part of Nithraid 2026
Represent your local community and its spot on or near the River Nith at Ellisland and march in the procession this August!
Do you live in a community near Ellisland Museum & Farm?
Ellisland is working with NithRaid to bring together a group from our local community to celebrate the River Nith. Working with local nature scientists and artists, participants will create a piece of art that will be brought along to Nithraid as part of the main procession. This could be a banner, costumer or anything to add to the fun and spectacle of the procession while also representing the River Nith at Ellisland and its surrounding local community. This project will run at various points elsewhere along the River, including in New Cumnock, Kirkconnel, Thornhill, Moniaive and Kingholm Quay – so sign up and get involved in some creative fun and represent your local community this August!
