East Ayrshire Leisure Guide Sept - Dec 2017 The Guide Sep-Dec 2017 | Page 22

M U S E U M S | BU R N S H O US E & D E AN CAST L E
H E R ITAG E | BU R N S MO N U M E N T CE N T R E
Dean Castle's £5.2M restoration and
modernisation project to allow essential
stonework restoration alongside internal
modernisation and redisplay will begin in
January 2018.
Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Bard, lived
in Mauchline in what was arguably his most
creative and productive period. It was at his
farm, Mossgiel, close to the town, that he
composed many of his best-loved poems. 
Whilst making his new farm ready, Burns and his
wife Jean Armour lodged in a room in what is
now Burns House Museum.
Using original manuscripts, objects and other
publications we interpret Burns’ time in
the town and his relations with many of its
characters.
You can see some of the plans for the
redevelopments on display in the Banqueting
Hall, and you can have your say on what you
might like to see and do in the Castle in the
future. You can also find out how to get
involved in the project – from volunteering
and internship opportunities, to museum
collections workshops and talks, and specialist
visits for you and your groups. From January
2018 much of the Castle’s collections will be on
display at the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock.
CLOSED FRI 15 & SAT 16 SEP
Access is limited to some areas of
the museum.
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We are running a series of workshops
to guide you in using the collections to
research your local and family history.
Introduction To Local & Family
History Research
THU 28 SEP · 2PM-3PM · FREE
Tracing Your Military Ancestors
THU 26 OCT · 2PM-3PM · FREE
NOTE: Due to the necessary preparations for
the refurbishment works we regret there could
be some disruption, at short notice, to opening
times and to access to certain areas. The Keep
remains closed.
Please visit: eastayrshireleisure.com before you
make your journey for the most up-to-date
information.
Mauchline Community Library is now also
housed within Burns House Museum.
BURNS HOUSE MUSEUM & LIBRARY
CASTLE STREET, MAUCHLINE, KA5 5BZ
T: 01290 550045
TUE: 10.30am-1.40pm, 2pm-6pm
WED: 10.30am-1.40pm, 2pm-6pm
THU: 1.30pm-4.40pm, 5pm-8pm
FRI & SAT: 10.30am-4pm
Heritage Workshops
DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK
DEAN RD, KILMARNOCK KA3 1XB
T: 01563 554736
PARK AND GROUNDS OPEN
ALL YEAR ROUND.
CASTLE AND VISITOR CENTRE OPEN:
APR - SEPT: 11AM - 5PM (DAILY)
OCT - MAR 10AM-4PM (WED - SUN)
Access is limited to areas of the Castle.
eastayrshireleisure.com
Introduction To Local & Family
History Research
The Burns Monument Centre is a shared venue
between East Ayrshire Leisure, East Ayrshire
Council and Ayrshire Archives. The local