10 ayrshire burns trails

(As featured in The Herald Weekend Magazine Sat 24 Jan 2026)

Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) is revered as the national poet of Scotland. His continuing legacy is celebrated worldwide. Many places in Scotland and beyond have a strong connection to Burns, but none more so than his birthplace of Ayrshire.

Burns was born and spent most of his life in Ayrshire. From the cottage where he was born in Alloway, to the room he stayed in with Jean Armour in Mauchline, from the walks he took in his beloved Ayrshire countryside to his encouragement in Irvine to publish his work, then printed in Kilmarnock. Ayrshire is by far the most renowned destination in the world when it comes to Scotland’s poet Robert Burns

Should you wish to walk in Burns footsteps today then there are a number of opportunities to do so via some of the best Ayrshire Burns trails. These trails are all quite different, taking in nature, heritage, culture and landmarks. Some have fun challenges to complete and most are suitable for all ages and walk / wheel / cycle abilities (check individual trails for details)

1- Blue Bonnet Trail This trail, inspired by one of Burns’ most famous poems - Tam o’ Shanter - takes you from the Tam o’ Shanter Inn in Ayr town centre out to Alloway and the infamous Brig o’ Doon, the same route Tam himself journeyed. Along the way there are blue bonnet signs to find making this one especially fun for families. Download the Destination South Ayrshire app to get the route.

2- Burns Hame Toun Make your way around Burns’ ‘Hame Toun’ of Ayr solving challenges as you go in this family friendly town centre based adventure! Taking approximately just one hour it is great fun for families allowing you to compete in your group to find the answers to questions all around you. Find Out More

3- Mauchline Burns Heritage Trail Mauchline is a location steeped in Burns history and on arrival you are likely to spot blue plaques dotted around the town and graveyard. Visit mauchlineholyfair.com to find the Robert Burns Blue Plaque Guide and A Guide to Mauchline Kirkyard where many of Burns’ friends and children are buried.

4- Irvine Burns Trail Irvine boasts the Wellwood Centre offering indoor tours, exhibits and an A/V Burns Room. From here you can also pick up the trail that takes you around town or you can download this from irvineburnsclub.org

5- Kilmarnock Burns Trail Kilmarnock is adorned with a giant mural of Burns, the excellent location to start this town trail. Pop into the Robert Burns World Federation on John Dickie Street or contact the team at rbwf.org.uk to pick up a copy of the trail. In Kilmarnock you can also take the Kay Park Walk to go past Kilmarnock’s Burns Monument Centre and statue. See gillianswalks.com for this one.

6- River Ayr Way For nature enthusiasts, The River Ayr Way – Scotland’s first source to sea path - is a popular route that can be completed in sections. The Ayr to Auchincruive walk goes from Ayr harbour, through auld Ayr, along River Ayr and ends up in Auchincruive where you can find the Wallace and Burns Cairn. The Annbank to Failford walk ends near Highland Mary’s Monument. See gillianswalks.com for both.

7- Alloway Burns Trail If you want to explore Burns birthplace of Alloway, this circular walk begins at Burns Cottage and goes past Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Auld Alloway Kirk, Burns Monument & Gardens, Brig o’ Doon and through the Alloway Railway Tunnel and Rozelle Park. There are food and drink choices as you go and the museum also boasts the Burns Wa-Hey playpark if your tired feet need a coffee and a sit down while the kids keep going! gillianswalks.com

8- Alloway Sonnet Saunter

For a truly poetic trail, scriever Simon Lamb has created the Sonnet Saunter in Burns birthplace of Alloway. Collect leaflets at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum or Burns Cottage and scan the QR codes as you explore the inspirational locations of Burns poetry.

9- Burns Tribute Trail

Did you know that only Christopher Columbus and Queen Victoria can rival Burns in their number of (non-religious) statues? thelandoburns.com has searched the globe and so far found 114 tributes made to Burns. Are there more? Let us know! Tributes include statues, miniatures, busts, plaques, monuments and cairns. All of these types of tribute can be found in his birthplace of Ayrshire. Why not create your own Ayrshire tribute trail and visit them all. See here for details.

10- Burns Grave Goers An alternative kind of trail! Although Burns himself is not buried in Ayrshire, the graves of many of his friends and family can be found here including -

Mauchline – THE place to find many of Burns cronies and some of his children Alloway – William Burnes (father).

Maybole - William Niven (school friend).

Kirkoswald - Real life Tam o’ Shanter characters, maternal grandparents, Hugh Roger (schoolteacher).

New Cumnock - Auld Licht Rev James Young.

Dundonald - Rev Dr Robert Duncan (Twa Herds).

Irvine – Helen Miller Mackenzie (Mauchline Belle).

Burns Anniversaries in 2026

In 2026 it will be 267 years since Burns was born and 230 years since he died. Especially relevant to Ayrshire this year is also that it is 240 years since The Kilmarnock Edition was printed and 225 years since the first Burns Supper in Alloway. Some of the main events taking place this year to celebrate include –

·      Burns Big Bash (May 2026)

·      Mauchline Holy Fair (May 2026)

·      Graham Fagen, The Kilmarnock Edition (June, Sep 2026)

·      Kilmarnock First Edition Festival (July 2026)

·      Robert Burns World Federation Conference (Sep 2026)

Ayrshire – Birthplace of Burns

To celebrate this special year of anniversaries an ‘Ayrshire – Birthplace of Burns’ brochure is currently being produced containing information on each of the Ayrshire places connected to Burns. The brochure will promote days out, events, arts, products and walks and will also include information for visitors on food, drink and accommodation in the area, all with a link to the bard. Click here to pre-order a free pdf brochure to hit your email as soon as available.

Further information on Burns in Ayrshire is available via thelandoburns.com a one stop website that showcases all of the places Burns connected with throughout Scotland and beyond. The online shop features contemporary and artist gifts inspired by birthplace, landmarks, nature and the Scottish language. Subscribe to the newsletter for 10% off your first order.

Visit Us In Ayrshire – The Birthplace of Burns!