FANS of Robert Burns' poetry now have a new reason to visit Largs after an information board celebrating the life and legacy of the 'ploughman poet' was erected in a local park.

The information sign has been put up in the Robert Burns Garden at the town's Douglas Park.

The sign is the latest enhancement following years of work upgrading the garden by Douglas Park's team of volunteers, led by Caroline Morgan.

Along with the sign, it's hoped that visitors to the park will soon be able to listen to a recital of Burns' most famous poem, Tam O' Shanter, read by local Burns scholar and speaker Angus Middleton.

The garden dates back to the 1980s when Robert McKay, of the former Cunninghame District Council's parks department, came up with the idea of a natural tribute to both Burns and Tam O' Shanter.

 

 

It features various small scale artefacts associated with the poem, including Alloway Auld Kirk and Churchyard, the Cairn and the Brig O’ Doon.

However, in recent years, mainly as a result of neglect and vandalism, the garden had fallen into a state of disrepair and was only a shadow of its former self.

But the setting up of the Douglas Park Project in 2020 paved the way for a major makeover both of the park and the Burns garden.

 

The ploughs in the garden have been sandblasted and repainted, along with other metal artefacts, including two large wagon wheels.

The project's volunteers have also applied purple slate to the garden's Tam O' Shanter Trail and woodchip to its woodland paths.

 

The market cross has been repainted and the trees at the front have been tidied to allow light to flood in.

The information board has been installed thanks to support from the Largs Cronies Burns Club after Caroline contacted Dr Nigel Lawrie, from the club's committee, to find out if the group would be willing to help give the garden something extra for visitors to enjoy.

The Cronies agreed to provide financial help towards the cost of a noticeboard, which will eventually include a QR code directing people to a recording of Angus Middleton, the Cronies' vice-president, reciting Tam O' Shanter.  

This noticeboard is now in place and the club says feedback received from visitors to the Burns Garden has been very positive.

The picture shows Largs Cronies president Brian Jackson along with Dr Nigel Lawrie, vice president Angus Middleton and past presidents David Galt and Raymond Connal.