Overview of Ellisland Farm

A farmhouse, built by the poet Robert Burns, and visitor attraction in Dumfries and Galloway, Ellisland lies 6½ miles (10.5 km) north northwest of Dumfries. Burns farmed Ellisland between 1788 and 1791, before moving to Dumfries, and while there wrote a number of works including Tam o' Shanter and Auld Lang Syne. The farmhouse, where Burns' wife Jean Armour gave birth to two of their children, is now a museum and contains artefacts relating to the poet. There is an audio-visual display in the Granary and nearby there are riverside walks which are said to have inspired Burns during his most productive years.

The farm was part of the Dalswinton estate of Patrick Miller (1731 - 1815) who Burns had met in Edinburgh. Miller had bought the estate only three years before letting the 69-ha (170-acre) farm to Burns, and it was in need of much improvement. The poor and badly-drained soil proved hard work for the family and Burns took on the post of district exciseman to generate additional income.

Since 1929, the attraction has been maintained by the Ellisland Trustees, with the assistance of local volunteers known as the Friends of Ellisland. Also on display is a fine collection of vintage agricultural implements and tools, collected from all over Scotland.