Original manuscripts written by Robert Burns- which haven’t been seen in over 100 years- have been saved for the nation to enjoy in a new exhibition opening today.
Twelve original documents written by Scotland’s national Bard have been added to the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Burns collection in Alloway following a £15 million fundraising campaign.
The important pieces include letters, poems and songs, giving further insight into the creative process of the country’s most famous poet.
The manuscripts were donated to the National Trust for Scotland from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries in 2022, following a successful campaign to secure these for the public, saving them from being sold to a private collector after they were put up for sale in 2021.
Joining these priceless works in the ‘Homecoming’ exhibition at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which runs until March 12, is the Burns First Commonplace Book - a collection of early drafts of songs, prose and poetry collated when Burns was still a young unpublished poet living in Ayrshire.
The Burns First Commonplace Book, which was given jointly to the National Library of Scotland and NTS, hasn’t been on display in Scotland since 1896.
Sarah Beattie, Curator for the National Trust for Scotland in Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway, said it was truly special to have the collection ‘come home to Ayrshire’, where Burns was born.
She said: “It’s amazing to have this collection available for public viewing.
“The last time the First Commonplace Book was exhibited was over 125 years ago.
“If we hadn’t secured this collection, these works could have been bought by a private collector- or collectors- and they might have been separated from each other.
“So to have them kept together and come home to Ayrshire is amazing.”
Philip Long OBE, National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Securing this outstanding collection for the public was an excellent example of our sector working together to raise the funds and support needed to save them for our cultural heritage and ensure that they would be protected for and enjoyed by future generations.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.
“Burns was inspired by nature, beauty and heritage and his work is of deep significance to Scotland.
“As the custodians of the place where Burns was born, and many of his most important works, the National Trust for Scotland is honoured to add these important pieces to our collection and to share these with the public through our new exhibition.”
To mark Burns’ Night, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is hosting a Burns Birthday Bash family weekend on 21 and 22 January and a Blazing Burns Night Spectacular ceilidh and fire performance on Jan 21.
Find out more at: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum
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