A Golden Day at Ellisland Museum & Farm: A Celebration of Robert Burns

Hello and happy Burns Night! It’s me Walter! I’m taking over this blog again because I wanted to share with you all the answer to the question- how does a Golden Retriever tour guide celebrate Robert Burns Day?

Robert Burns, the National Poet of Scotland, has been a frequent visitor on many of our past articles, and I’m sure there are many more about him to come. In fact, we have published an article about how to celebrate Burns Night with a Burns Supper and the festivities. We have also published an article about his Mausoleum in Dumfries. However, for my ‘dog’s perspective’ on Burns, we are heading back to Dumfriesshire- just outside of Dumfries- to Ellisland. Our visit was a couple of summers ago, but, fortunately, I kept a detailed travel journal.

Walter’s Travel Journal- Ellisland

Boy has this been an incredible summer! I’m very happy that Mom and Dad have had me write this travel journal because we have been to so many amazing places all over Scotland. First, we got to explore Aberdeenshire with its awe-inspiring castles and historic homes. And now Dad says we are going to Dumfriesshire to the former home of the famous Scottish writer, Robert Burns- Ellisland.

As we cruise over the scenic rolling hills of the Scottish Borders towards our destination, I want to take a moment to explain a couple of things. First, as some of you might know, my brother Arthur and I are named after Scottish literary giants. I am named after Sir Walter Scott, and my brother is named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Therefore, it makes sense why I would want to honour another Scottish literary legend like Rabbie Burns.

Second, some of you might be wondering if Arthur is also going to write about Burns. After all, he has come a long way this summer. However, the truth is he has been quite silly lately and showing some goofy immaturity again. It all started a few days ago, when we were supposed to be taking a nap while our parents went shopping. However, Arthur, as usual, wasn’t sleepy and somehow, he got a hold of the television remote control and was looking through our classic Christmas movie collection. Of course it’s summer, but I don’t think the little guy understands the concept of time or the calendar yet (I have so much to teach him!). But I realise that he hasn’t experienced a Christmas yet, so I thought this was the perfect chance to tell him all about it. Well, let’s just say that our preferred choice in movies says it all.

I got a bit choked up and teary-eyed when the nice folk of Bedford Falls broke into singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at the end of the timeless classic, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (one of my favourites). On the other paw, Arthur laughed so hard he cried and almost wet his doggy bed when he saw Cousin Eddie emptying the RV toilet into the storm drain in Christmas Vacation. So, you see, he’s clearly not quite yet mature enough to do justice to the legacy of Robert Burns. It's best that I cover him this time, and maybe I’ll let him have a turn next year.

Speaking of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, Robert Burns wrote it when he was living in Ellisland, but more on that once we get there. I think that we might be getting close because we just turned onto a small farm road.

There is a lush tree canopy lining the road, but- before you know it- the rolling green farmlands just open up before us. We have arrived at the home that Robert Burns built for himself, his wife, Jean Armour, and their young family.

I can certainly see why an artist like him would choose this site to build his homestead; this place, on the banks of the River Nith, is oozing with inspiration. In fact, Burns once said about it, “The banks of the Nith are as sweet, poetic ground as any I ever saw”.

Oh, I see some locals in the pasture, and I am inspired to go and have a wee chat with them.

While I do that, here’s a lovely video published by the Ellisland Museum for you to enjoy. It will give you some historical background to this magical place. Just be sure to join me again after the video so that we can go and explore the “Ploughman Poet’s” home and farm further.

As I lead Arthur through the gates onto the farm, we first start exploring some of the outbuildings, such as the stables and the byres.

We actually had a chance to meet Jenny Geddes- Rabbie’s beloved horse- in the stables. Fun fact, Robert Burns named her after an Edinburgh woman who was famous for throwing a stool at the Dean of Edinburgh in St Giles’ Cathedral. It’s a fascinating story that my dad often tells our guests on our Edinburgh walking tours.

One thing that is great about Ellisland that it so dog friendly. In fact, Arthur and I visited nearly all the buildings, including an exhibition in the granary building that houses a large collection of artefacts related to Scotland’s Bard. Here are some photos from that exhibition.

The one place that we can't go is the house itself, which I understand, since this place is the most authentic of Robert Burns’ homes to survive. In fact, it is the only home that he built himself. It is also one of the best preserved old and historic farmhouses anywhere in Scotland, that also houses some incredible artefacts, letters, books, etc. related to Burns. Sure, I am disappointed that we must split up and that Mom and Dad will take turns looking through the house. They did share all these photos with me, so I want to share them with you.

Arthur and I are excited to learn that instead of the house, we are going for a walk along the banks of the Nith, just like Burns in his day! It is on this very walk that Robert Burns wrote his masterpiece- ‘Tam O’Shanter’! For now, I will save the story of that poem for a later day when one of us writes about Burns Birthplace Museum and Cottage in Alloway, since the events of that poem mostly take place there.

However, on this walk, Burns was also inspired to write ‘The Address to the Wounded Hare’. It’s a solemn story, so I will spare my goofy little brother from it for now, and distract him by having him say hi to the hare instead. However, I will share the tale with the rest of you. Robert Burns loved all animals, and he absolutely detested any form of cruelty towards them.

While ploughing his 170-acre farmlands, clearing the soil of stones, mending fences and carrying on his toils, he witnessed a man shooting and wounding a hare. It was not a hunt for necessity and survival, but rather a useless and mindless ‘sporting ‘ hunt to just shoot a lovely hare for no good reason. So, this what the ‘Heaven-Taught Ploughman’ composed:

‘The Wounded Hare’

Inhuman man! curse on thy barb'rous art,

And blasted by thy murder-aiming eye;

May never pity soothe thee with a sigh,

Nor never pleasure glad thy cruel heart!

Go live, poor wanderer of the wood and field,

The bitter little of life that remains!

No more the thickening brakes and verdant plains

To thee shall home, or food, or pastime yield.

Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest,

No more of rest, but now of dying bed!

The sheltering rushes whistling o'er thy head,

The cold earth with thy bloody bosom Crest.

Oft as by winding Nith I, musing, wait

The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn,

I'll miss thee sporting o'er the dewy lawn,

And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate.

As I said, it’s a sad story, but rest assured that on this occasion, we are nursing the hare back to health with our golden nudges, nuzzles and boops! Well, we better head back to the farm, to explore some more.

We decide to check out parts of the orchard as well as some more outbuildings. Unfortunately, we stumble on something that really captivates the immature mind of my wee brother- the old dry toilet- aka the outhouse! Arthur says it reminds him of something Cousin Eddie said in his new favourite movie. I tell him not to dare say it. Besides, he’s way too young to use that kind of language!

So, before this post starts to go down the drain, the one much more important thing I want to share with you all about Ellisland is the fact that they need your help! This incredible place of inspiration and history is in desperate need of some tender love and care in the forms of restoration and preservation. On Ellisland’s website, you can find out a lot more information about their future plans and how you can help with visits, memberships, donations, etc.

So, as we all come together to celebrate Robert Burns, maybe we can do our wee part in helping save the place that inspired him to create many of his most famous works like “Auld Lang Syne”. And, just like auld acquaintances, this magical place should never be forgotten. So, let’s all take a cup o’ kindness (well, me being a dog, I'll settle for an oatcake) and lets give some kindness to Ellisland!

Before I bid ae fond fareweel, I want to tell you that we all highly recommend that you visit Ellisland in person because we promise that you will be inspired! In fact, I was so inspired by our visit that I decided to dip my paws in poetry for the first time. Now, please be kind, I am just a young Golden boy with an abundance of love for Scotland. Here goes nothing-

‘A Golden Laddie at Ellisland’

by Walter the Golden

Upon a dawn sae crisp and clear, a bonnie retriever, fu’ o’ cheer, set off wi’ tail a-waggin’ free, tae Ellisland by Nith’s fair lea.

The dewy grass caress’d his paws; he sniff’d the breeze. He kenn’d nae cause but joy, as larks abune did sing, an’ sunbeams glint on tawny spring.

O’er whins and braes he romp’d wi’ glee, Och! What a sicht for ony to see— He spied a hare, sae fleet and shy, that darted swift as clouds on high.

‘Come chiel!’ the golden laddie pled, but off the hare in freedom sped. He bowed his head, his tongue hung lang, yet soon his heart again was strang.

For yonder in the field sae green, coo’s lowed a chorus, calm, serene. They blink’d their een at this new frien’, an’ sniff’d his nose o’er dyke between.

The Nith it glimmer’d, saft and braw, whilst lad and beast in peace did thraw. A golden day at Ellisland, wi’ furry paw and gentle hand.

O would that Burns himself had seen this lad sae blithe, this kindly scene! For in the land where verses flow, A dog may dream, and rivers go.

‘A Golden Lad at Ellisland’ (English version)

by Walter the Golden

Upon a dawn so crisp and clear, a lovely retriever full of cheer, set off with tail a-wagging free, to Ellisland by Nith’s fair meadow.

The dewy grass caressed his paws; he sniffed the breeze. He knew no cause but joy, as larks above did sing, and sunbeams glinted on tawny spring.

Over gorse and hills he romped with glee, Oh! What a sight for anyone to see—He spied a hare, so fleet and shy, that darted swift as clouds on high.

‘Come friend!’ the golden lad implored, but off the hare in freedom soared. He bowed his head, his tongue hung long, yet soon his heart again was strong.

For yonder in the field so green, cows lowed a chorus, calm, serene. They blinked their eyes at this new friend, and sniffed his nose over the wall between.

The Nith it shimmered, soft and fine, whilst lad and beast in peace entwined. A golden day at Ellisland, with furry paw and gentle hand.

Oh, would that Burns himself had seen this lad so blithe, this kindly scene! For in the land where verses flow, a dog may dream, and rivers go.

Have a wonderful Robert Burns Day! I also wish you all safe travels, and I hope that those travels take you here to Bonnie Scotland someday. Who knows, maybe you will join us for some more fabulous stories.

Until next time -Explore & Discover!

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