Hundreds turned out for a taste and a glimpse of life in Alloway 1759
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The fourth Alloway 1759 event on Sunday 29 January celebrating the birth and life of Scotland's national Bard, Robert Burns has again been hailed as a resounding success.
People from all over South Ayrshire and some from well beyond, enjoyed sights, sounds and tastes from a bygone era, marking the work and legend of the nation's greatest Scot.
Opening the event, South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan said: "Alloway 1759 is now in its fourth year - having been created to mark the Year of Homecoming in 2009 - and it has fast become a 'must see' attraction.
"Alloway village was transformed into a time gone by and it really added to the fun family event. There really was something for everyone to enjoy, music, poetry, acting, singing, dancing, walks and much more.
"The work of Burns was brought to life and everyone had a great time."
Councillor Margaret Toner, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure for South Ayrshire Council said: "Every year this excellent event keeps growing, with new and innovative ideas on ways to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns.
"It is now an established part of the national Winter Festivals programme, offering an afternoon as much about fun and celebration as it is about inspiration, education and information and I think that's exactly how Rabbie himself would have wanted it."
"South Ayrshire Council is committed to encouraging tourism and the promotion of all that we do best – and what better way to put the area on the map so early in the New Year than celebrating the life, work and legacy that is Rabbie Burns?"
Events in Alloway took place in and around Burns Cottage and the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and many of them were free. Visitors enjoyed celtic music; Ayrshire Farmers Market; Maybole Pipe Band; the arrival of Rabbie; an outdoor Ceilidh; Hipshot theatre company; Alloway Amble; poetry recitals; singing, haggis hurling and much more.
All weekend there were guided tours of Rozelle House available.
Alloway 1759 was the first of two annual events in South Ayrshire celebrating Burns.
The next event, the Burns an' a' that! Festival will take place from Wednesday 30 May to Sunday 3 June 2012.
For information about events in South Ayrshire visit www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/events.