South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has raised the future of Ellisland Farm in the Scottish Parliament.

Colin Smyth questioned Government Ministers on the work the Scottish Government is currently doing to promote Robert Burn’s legacy in the South of Scotland. He raised the work of the Ellisland Farm Trust who have developed exciting plans to preserve Robert Burn’s legacy at Ellisland by transforming Robert Burn’s former home in to a world tourist attraction.

The farm, at Auldgirth, was gifted to the nation in 1928 by two Durisdeer brothers “for the contemplation of the life and works” of the Bard.

Speaking after the question in Parliament Colin Smyth said, “The Ellisland Trust have developed exciting plans to save and preserve the history of Ellisland and create a new world class tourist attraction.

On the back of my question to the Scottish Government in Parliament I have written to the Minister to formlaly invite him to Ellisland Farm to meet with the Trustees and to learn more about their plans. The plans drawn up the Trust help to celebrate Robert Burn’s life and works and continue his legacy both locally to Dumfries and to the country as a whole. That is why I hope Scottish Government Ministers will meet with the Trust in due course and back the plans that have been developed.”