Robert Burns: Ayr and Alloway: Day 6

The city of Ayr, population 47,000, is situated on the Firth of Clyde, just across from the Isle of Arran.

We enjoyed some time on the beach.  Tom even braved a wade in the waters.....not as cold as The Bay of Fundy!

There is a paved promenade along the beach frequented by cyclists, skateboarders, walkers, runners, and many dogs.

Beach Shot

We saw a few jellyfish.....I think.

We walked a couple of miles to Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns.

We visited the remains of the "auld kirk" where Robert Burns' father is buried.

Some of the tombstones in the graveyard at The Auld Kirk have an hourglass carved onto them.  It is said that an upright hourglass indicates death by natural causes while an hourglass on its side represents death by sinister means.

We crossed the Brig o Doon, built in the 15th century and featured in Burns' poem, Tam O'Shanter.

We met some Burns' characters, such as Nannie from Tam O'Shanter..

...and the mouse from "To a Mousie", the Burns poem from which John Steinbeck borrowed a line to title his novella, Of Mice and Men.

We stroĺled down Poet's Path...and

...through the Burns Gardens.

We marvelled at the stone fences with no mortar...

...and met a straw man riding a straw horse.

We visited the Burns Cottage where Robert was born on January 25th, 1759.  Burns died at the age of 37 and a half having reputedly lived a rather wild life enjoying women and drink!  Long speculated that Robbie died of alcoholism or venereal disease, recent historians have determined that he most likely died of heart disease.  Although he authored many 

books, poems, and hymns, his greatest hit is probably "Auld Lang Syne."

And just as we were leaving Alloway, we happened upon a wedding complete with tartan, bagpipes, and these four little bridal attendants.

Until Next Time...