Graveyard Restoration
Images & video footage coming soon...
The restoration of the family grave and its immediate surrounds is currently the most advanced part of the project.
Situated in the churchyard in the hamlet of Bolton this site contains the grave of Agnes Broun (the poet's mother), Gilbert Burns (his brother), Annabella (their sister) and five other members of Gilbert's family.
The final resting place of William Burnes, the poet's father at the Old Kirk In Alloway is internationally known, partially because this is the imagined scene of much of the classic 'Tam O'Shanter. The grave of his mother who was equally important in determining who he was to become, is currently virtually unknown.
The area surrounding the graves have been weeded and the gravestone itself is in the process of being restored to it original state (can you spot the spelling mistake, put there by the original engraver and kept by us in the name of authenticity?)
Most importantly, the railings surrounding the graves that were removed during the Second World War have been replaced by authentic substitutes created by local craftsmen.
Just outside the churchyard stands the local war memorial listing the names of the young men, who like the railings, were called away to the war. They can never come back and are indeed irreplaceable, but the restoration of the railings, some sixty years on, is done with them very much in mind.
Still planned for the site, are the erection of a modest communication board, further landscaping and the planting of some 'Jean Armour' roses.
The current church, whose building was partially supervised by Gilbert Burns, celebrates its 200th birthday in 2009, the year in which Scots everywhere will celebrate Robert Burns 250th birthday.
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