Glasgow Central releases info in Scots to promote Bard

Robert Burns at Glasgow Central Station encouraging people from Glasgow to visit the Robert Burns Memorial Museum Picture: Lenny Warren / Warren Media

Passengers to Ayr got their travel information in Scots for the first time at Central Station this week, as part of a push by the National Trust for Scotland to promote its Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

The charity has launched a campaign to encourage Glasgow culture vultures to visit the award-winning Alloway museum. Posters featuring a striking railtrack design will appear on trains to and from Ayr, at Glasgow Subway stations and online.

Robert Burns, played by Chris Tait, announced the 12.34 departure to Ayr from Platform 11, with the immortal words:

“Honest Men and Bonnie Lasses,

Robert Burns at Glasgow Central Station encouraging people from Glasgow to visit the Robert Burns Memorial Museum Picture: Lenny Warren / Warren Media

“Tak’ the train to Ayr that Passes,

“The twelve thirty fower train tae Ayr gaes fae platform eleeven.”

Information signs will also appear in Scots.

The Bard passed out ‘Bard Cards’, which give a two-for-one offer for the museum which is home to the world’s premier Burns collection.

Picture: Lenny Warren / Warren Media

David Hopes, Director at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum said: “Just a short hop on the train transports you to Burns country, where you can see the very bed where Burns was born, the brig over which Tam and Meg galloped and breathe the same air that inspired Burns.”

And, the conservation charity hopes it will put Alloway on the map all year round.

David continued: “Burns is about more than Burns Night. His significance in Scottish culture cannot be overstated and his words and music should be celebrated all year round, not just when we’re addressing the haggis. With our amazing programme of music and cultural events, art exhibitions and family fun too, we’ve created a bustling creative cultural hub at the museum and have something special to offer all year round, all within an hour of Glasgow.”

Since opening to the public in December 2010, the museum has welcomed well over a million visitors and has won a series of accolades including being selected as a finalist for the prestigious Art Fund prize, securing a five star rating from VisitScotland and being named as Horace Broon’s ‘new favourite place in Scotland’. The project was generously supported by the Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.