The audio-visual presentation provides a fresh introduction to Burns the man and Burns the poet and explores his complex relationship with women, nature and society.

Visit our rare collection of manuscripts and memorabilia of Burns and his contemporaries and find out more about life in Mauchline in the 18th Century, by examining the artifacts and illustrations of the poet's friends and patrons.

Listen to Burns's poems in our listening snug or have a go at recording your own poems or reading poems by Burns! Find out more about the many vivid characters around the town that Burns knew, like Holy Willie, who featured in Burns's poetry and who are now buried in the graveyard opposite the museum.

Robert Burns Collection

This collection consists of manuscripts, letters and poems, including 'Tam O'Shanter', 'The Twa Dogs', 'Holy Fair', 'Holy Willie's Prayer' and 'Cotter's Saturday Night'. In some cases these are the manuscripts for the original publication of the poem concerned, in others it is an altered version for a later edition. The collection of books has examples of all important editions of Burns's works, including the Kilmarnock (First) and Edinburgh (Second) editions.