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Museums and Galleries
Rozelle House Galleries
A unique commemoration of the birthplace of and life of Robert Burns. 25th - 29th January 2012
Rozelle House is an Accredited Museum under the MLA Accreditation Scheme
Opening Times
Monday, Wednesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Tuesday: CLOSED
Sunday: 12noon – 5pm
The Royal Burgh of Ayr held the Rozelle lands as part of the Barony lands of Alloway
until an auction in 1754 to reduce the Burgh debt brought sale of the lands to Robert
Hamilton for £2,000. The Hamilton family made their fortune in the sugar and
tobacco industries in the West Indies. The first mansion house was finished by 1760
and was in the classical style of Robert Adam. During the early Nineteenth Century
the house was remodelled by David Bryce to remove the previous classical structure.
The
House and estate flourished throughout the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries,
but by the 1960s the Hamilton family were struck by high death duties and taxation
which led to the sale of much of the surrounding land. In 1968 the house, with none
of its historic interior remaining, was gifted to the Royal Burgh of Ayr leading
to its establishment as the Council's Museum and Art Gallery. Between 1975-76 the
servant's quarters and stable block were converted into the Maclaurin Galleries
with funds from the bequest of Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin.
Rozelle House is now a major display venue, currently showing
the significant collection, Tam O' Shanter, a series of 54 paintings, by Alexander Goudie. The exhibition also includes
a labelled guide for children (this children's guide is used in teaching throughout
South Ayrshire schools). There are also a number of art workshops and classes held
at Rozelle which are open to people of all abilities. Bookings for workshops must
be done through reception at Rozelle House before attending.
Rozelle House is home to the Ayrshire Yeomanry museum, Rozelle Craft House and Rozelle
Coffee Shop. All 3 of these are open to the public during normal opening hours for
Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Galleries.