Description

Built 1788 for Robert Burns. Single storey farmhouse with steading. All painted rubble and dressings; house has painted margins. West elevation of house: three-bays (central door now a window) with additional (blank) bay at right possibly an early 19th century addition; four-pane sashes; corniced end stacks: door in re-entrant angle of rear (east) wing. Slate roofs, graded slates over rear wing. Two parallel steading ranges to west; north range has lofts at west end, two lintelled cart openings to courtyard, and loft door flanked by small square openings above; plain south range and nearby range set at right angles both with roof vents. Pyramidal-roofed single storey square shed to north east set on slope above river bank, with door facing west, two windows and two basement doors facing south. Walled orchard to south of house.

Statement of Interest

An outstanding example of a late-18^th century group of farm buildings that survive relatively unaltered and have a significant historical association with Scotland's National Poet, Robert Burns.

Burns, who is one of Scotland's most important cultural and historical figures, was a tenant farmer at Ellisland from 1788 to 1791. He was responsible for building the farmhouse, barn, and byre and stable, as well as implementing the field enclosures. Inspired by its setting on the River Nith, Burns' literary output during his tenure was exceptional. A quarter of his songs and poems (over 130) were written here, including some of his most celebrated works (Tam o' Shanter, Ae Fond Kiss and Auld Lang Syne).

The site has been in trust since 1928, and the museum holds an outstanding collection of Burns relics, including manuscripts, printed materials, and the poet's personal items.

Some alterations and additions were made to the site, largely in the 19^th century, but much of the developments implemented by Burns survive, including the original farmstead and field structure, along with the wider landscape setting. This relative lack of alteration is rare for farmsteadings from this period and can be largely attributed to its longstanding association with Burns. The improvements made by Burns are also important as they reflect a period of significant agricultural advancement and societal change throughout much of Scotland during late 18^th century.

Although his tenure was short lived, Ellisland is considered one of the most authentic and significant sites that have a direct association with Robert Burns.

Listed Building Record revised in 2026.

External Links

• Ellisland Farm at Wikipedia
• Ellisland Farm official website
• Wikidata Q5366039

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)