National poet hails museum for the bard

Scotland's newly-appointed Makar performed her first duty at the official opening of a museum dedicated to Robert Burns.

Liz Lochhead was joined by First Minister Alex Salmond as she paid tribute to the national bard as the 21 million Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway opened its doors.

Ms Lochhead was named as the country's national poet on Wednesday, succeeding the late Edwin Morgan.

The National Trust for Scotland museum houses a collection of 5,000 artefacts relating to Burns, including memorabilia and manuscripts.

Ms Lochhead said: "It is a huge pleasure to officially open the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. His work is, was, and ever shall be, the greatest monument to him.

"But his life of passion, pleasure, poverty and contradiction will never fail to fascinate, infuriate, challenge and engage with us."