Plan to secure long term future of building linked to Robert Burns is approved

The green light has been given for conservation work to a historic Ayrshire building with links to National Bard Robert Burns.

Ayrshire Live previously revealed how the Burns Bachelors’ Club, in Tarbolton, needed significant works carried out in order for it to continue to function as a museum.

Now council planners have approved the project to help preserve the building’s long-term future.

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The Burns Bachelors’ Club is a small two-storey thatched cottage and thought to originate from the 17th century. It is where Scots poet Robert Burns established his renowned debating society in 1780.

The building is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland who said the roof needs re-thatched and a new ridge installed.

The organisation sought Listed Building consent from South Ayrshire Council to carry out the works and lodged an application.

Agents in the proposals were Laidlaw Associates Building Surveying Ltd, who said in a supporting statement: “The property was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) in 1938 and since then, it has been accessible to visitors as a museum. It is considered to be of high national significance given its links to Burns and as a fine example of Scottish rural vernacular architecture.

“It is listed at category A by Historic Environment Scotland and is one of only a very few thatched buildings surviving in Ayrshire today.”

The planning statement continues: “Surveys carried out during 2023 confirmed the thatch has reached an advanced state of deterioration. The exposed top layer is severely decayed and substantially colonised by moss. The ridge is particularly severely decayed and water ingress is occurring at the ridge and into the wall-heads, placing the rest of the building fabric at risk of damage.

“The work shall generally be carried out like-for-like, secured to the existing historic roof structure onto the existing platform of timber thatch battens using wire sways and reinforced with hazel spars, where necessary. The ridge has been replaced at least once during its life, but has decayed more rapidly, relative to the main roof coverings.”

As part of the re-thatch, works will include a change in the formation of the ridge covering to a timber plank ridge.

Also part of the plan is the reinstatement of a stone chimney on the East gable- to replace the existing “defective” 20th Century brick chimney.

In approving the proposals council papers said: “The proposed works represent sound practice for the repair and maintenance of the original building and follow best conservation practice. The works will serve to preserve and enhance the character, appearance and setting of the A listed Bachelors Club.”

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