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Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport,
visited Ayr and Alloway, to see at first hand the range of Burns-related
attractions which are scheduled to play a major role in the 250th
Burns Anniversary and Scottish “Homecoming” celebrations
being planned for 2009.
The visit was a follow-up to an invitation extended by the Leader
of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Andy Hill, who recently met the Minister to discuss the future
of the Burns
National Heritage Park.
Afterwards, Councillor Hill said: “The visit was well worthwhile.
It enabled the Minister to see for herself the range of attractions
which are of such great importance to the tourist industry not
only of South Ayrshire, but of Scotland.
“ The whole area has a highly significant role to play in the 250th Burns
anniversary celebrations, which in turn are vital to the overall ‘Homecoming’ celebrations
which the Scottish Government is already planning.”
The Minister’s visit began with an informal meeting at
the County Buildings, Ayr, headquarters of South Ayrshire Council,
at which the Minister discussed with Councillor Hill and Councillor Robert Campbell, Convener of the Council’s Economic
and Tourism Development Committee, the latest developments
in the management arrangements for the Burns National Heritage
Park. Also involved in the discussions were Sandra Osborne MP,
and Cathy Jamieson, MSP, together with the Council’s Chief
Executive, Tom Cairns.
The visiting party then travelled to Alloway for a brief visit
to Burns Cottage and museum. The Minister also had the opportunity
to see Burns Monument, Brig o’ Doon and Alloway graveyard
before entering the Burns National Heritage Park and being welcomed
at the Tam O’Shanter Experience by South Ayrshire Provost
Gordon McKenzie who is also Chair of Burns Heritage Park Joint
Board.
Further informal discussions took place within the audio visual
theatre.
Additional persons taking part included John Dalrymple Hamilton
a trustee, of Burns Cotttage/Museum; local Ayr Rozelle ward Councillor
Robin Reid; Catriona Mackie, Chief Executive, Ayrshire & Arran
Tourist Board; John Mason, Head of Tourism, Culture & Sport,
Scottish Government; Michael Hunter, Director, West Region, National
Trust; and Evelyn McCann, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise
Ayrshire.
Following the visit to Alloway, the Minister returned to County
Buildings for an informal buffet lunch prior to visiting Burns-related
attractions in East Ayrshire.
The Minister’s visit to Ayrshire follows the recent vital
step undertaken by South Ayrshire Council to safeguard the future
of the Burns National Heritage Park, including the Tam O’Shanter
Experience.
Following negotiations involving the Council, the National Trust
for Scotland and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport,
a decision was taken by the Council that it would accept interim
management arrangements proposed by the National Trust for Scotland – on
a basis that the Scottish Government would underwrite any financial
deficit arising from the operation of the Burns National Heritage
Park in 2005/06.
Pictured during the Minister's visit outside Burns Cottage are
(left to right) Councillor Robert Campbell, Convener of the Council's
Economic and Tourism Committee, Cathy Jamieson, MSP, Councillor
Andy Hill, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Patricia Ferguson
MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Councillor Robin
Reid, Ayr Rozelle Ward and Sandra Osborne MP.
Patricia Ferguson MSP, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport
studies a statue of Robert Burns situated within the Burns Museum
in Alloway.
March 2005
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