Robert Burns - where it began

“Robert Burns – where it began” is a project funded by Heritage Lottery to commemorate the meeting and marriage of Robert Burns’ parents, Agnes Broun and William Burnes, in Maybole. The couple met at a Market Fair in 1756 near the Market Cross which is
marked by a small cross on the A77 High Street in Maybole today. They married in the church which stood at the bottom of the Kirkwynd on Thursday 15th December 1757.

Maybole Community Council, Maybole Community Association and Maybole Historical Society applied with May-Tag Ltd for funding to hold events throughout the year to celebrate the Burns connection. The events would engage local people in awareness of their local heritage and engender pride in the community.

 

 

 

In March the project was launched with a presentation in the Town Hall attended by local dignitaries and community members, enhanced by local schoolchildren singing Burns’ songs and a visit from a Tam O’Shanter crony. Next came a very successful market Fair on June 9th when over two hundred locals dressed in period costume, businesses took part, arket stalls were erected and performances from fiddlers, pipers, dancers, magicians and folk singers followed a re-enactment of the original meeting of Agnes and William.
Over two thousand people enjoyed the glorious sunshine and all the fun of the Fair.

An ecumenical service at Crossraguel Abbey followed the next day to start Gala week, which saw a very well attended Burns quiz and on the Saturday a Burns-themed gala parade, led by the Pipe Band to the Glebe where most of the locals had congregated and the Gala King and Queen of Carrick were crowned.

You can download our Burns Festival Leaflet which will open with Acrobat Reader for more details.

Further events planned include a wedding re-enactment on the afternoon of Saturday 15th December, a young people’s concert on Friday 14th December and a final concert on Saturday 15th, to commemorate the wedding. The project will also produce a DVD and book and local heritage exhibitions have been staged concurrent with events, in Maybole Castle by the Historical Society. Further information and pictures can be seen at www.maybole.org