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Mauchline is a village situated
about 12 miles northeast of Ayr, 9
miles southeast of Kilmarnock.
The most interest in Mauchline
today, is from people researching
the poet Robert Burns 1759 - 1796.
Burns lived at Mossgiel Farm by
Mauchline, from 1784 until he set
up home in Mauchline with his wife
Jean Armour in February 1788. They
lived in a room in what is now the
(Burns House Museum) in Castle
Street. Burns and his family moved
to Ellisland Farm by Dumfries in
1789.
Burns time at Mauchline was
eventful as he met his wife, a
local woman Jean Armour in 1784,
had a daughter to a woman from
Tarbolton named Elizabeth Paton in
1785, had an affair with "Highland"
Mary Campbell in the summer of
1786, and fathered a son with Jenny
Clow in 1788, who he met while in
Edinburgh promoting his work. The
love affairs, and the town of
Mauchline, are said to have
inspired Burns to write many of his
finest works, referred to as The
Golden Years.
The village has a number of
buildings linked to Burns, such as
the Burns House Museum where he
lived, Poosie Nansies Inn where The
Jolly Beggars Howff was situated,
Mauchline Castle where Burns is
believed to have married Jean
Armour, and the National Burns
Monument opened in 1898.
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The monument has been used as a
Tourist Information Centre and Museum in
the past, but is rarely opened today. It
is situated on the west side of Mauchline
(traveling towards Kilmarnock).
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The Burns House Museum, as
seen in this image, is situated
in the centre of Mauchline on
Castle Street with period
buildings and cobbled
streets.
Reviews/Map: KA5
5BZ
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The museum contains a period room
where Robert Burns began his married
life, a display of Burns memorabilia and
gives information on Burns life in
Mauchline (1784-1788).
The museum may be open
Tuesday-Saturday 10.30-1700 and
14.00-17.00 on Sunday’s. Check
opening times Tel: 01563 576 000.
Website .
Large
Image
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Mauchline Church is also in
the village centre next to the
Burns House Museum. This Church
was completed in 1829, 41years
after Burns had left the
village.
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Mauchline Church is built on the site
that previously held St Michael’s
Church built in the 1200s.
Large Image.
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Mauchline Castle was built in
the 1400s as a monastic residence
for Melrose Abbey.
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Image
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Robert Burns is believed to have
married Jean Armour in the Castles dining
room.
With the Castle now being the family
home of Alexander Hamilton, it is not
open to the public. However, you do get
rear views of the castle from the cobbled
streets around the Burns House
Museum.
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Poosie Nansie’s Tavern
is across the road from the
church. This is one of two pubs
in the centre of Mauchline,
ideally situated for drinks and
meals. Large
Image
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The oldest parts of Poosie
Nansie’s date back to the 1700s.
This tavern, that may have been a brothel
in the times of Burns, inspired Burns to
write the cantata Jolly
Beggars.
Meals available from 12.00 - 15.00
Monday to Friday, 12.00 - 20.00 Saturday
and Sunday. For enquiries phone 01290 550
316.
Burns Club Website
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Across the road from the
Tavern is the Fairburn Hotel, a
former coaching inn named the
Loudon Arms.
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On the front of the hotel is a 'spout'
where residents and travelers have drawn
water for generations. The water from the
spout comes from a geological formation
in the district.
www.fairburnhotel.co.uk
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In the centre of Mauchline, at
The Cross, is the Labrary with a
Statue of Jean Armour in
front.
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Image Up Close
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The statue is made of bronze, unveiled
by Lady Hagart-Alexander of Ballochmyle
on the 30th November 2002, St Andrews
day. The statue looks toward Castle
Street where Jean and Robert lived.
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The 5,972-yard par 70,
Ballochmyle Golf Course, is
situated about two miles
northeast of Mauchline, off the
B705.
Website
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This is fine looking course with tree
lined fairways that welcomes visitors,
prices around £28 per round. The
clubhouse offers full catering and bar
facilities. Bookings/price check, phone
01290 550 469.
All Ayrshire
golf courses
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