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Sandstone riverside building with crow-stepped gables, cherry blossom framing the riverbank path
Dumfries and Galloway

Robert Burns Centre

A free museum of Burns's last years in an 18th-century watermill on the River Nith in Dumfries, with a model of the town in the 1790s.

Welcome

On the west bank of the River Nith in Dumfries, an old stone watermill of the eighteenth century is home to the Robert Burns Centre, which tells the story of the poet's last years in the town.

The highlight is a large model of Dumfries as it was in the 1790s, when Burns lived and worked here, and around it are artefacts of national importance, films and an audio station where you can listen to performances of his songs and poems. Children have a Robert Burns Lego trail, word games and colouring to keep them busy.

Entry is free. The centre is open all year: every day from April to September, with shorter hours on Sundays, and Tuesday to Saturday from October to March. It is fully accessible, with a stair lift to the upper floor. Burns's house and his favourite inn are both across the river in the town.

A short drive awayFlourishA shop of handmade and Scottish-made gifts, homeware, cards and art on the High Street in Dumfries, with artists' studios above.4 min by roadSee itGift shop table with wrapping paper, Nutscene twine, seed tray dibbers and Highland cow paintings
Before you go

Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm.

Free.

Where
Mill Road, Dumfries, DG2 7BE.
Building
An 18th-century watermill.
Admission
Free.

Opening hours

Monday
10am–5pm
Tuesday
10am–5pm
Wednesday
10am–5pm
Thursday
10am–5pm
Friday
10am–5pm
Saturday
10am–5pm
Sunday
2pm–5pm
Where it is

On Mill Road, on the west bank of the River Nith in Dumfries, DG2 7BE, with disabled parking.

Close byDumfries.
  1. Dumfries Museum and Camera ObscuraDumfries Museum and Camera ObscuraA windmill tower with the oldest working camera obscura in the world on top.1 mile3 min by road
  2. Sandstone church spire with clock tower overlooks a statue in Dumfries town squareGreyfriars Church, DumfriesThe tall red sandstone spire of Greyfriars, a Gothic church at the end of Dumfries High Street, with the Burns statue at its door.1 mile3 min by road
  3. Red sandstone house with slate roof and cobbled path to black doorRobert Burns HouseWhere Burns spent his last years.1 mile4 min by road
  4. Black hanging sign reading "The Globe" against brick buildingsThe Globe Inn, DumfriesBurns's favourite inn.2 miles4 min by road
  5. Sandstone church spire with clock tower overlooks a statue in Dumfries town squareRobert Burns StatueThe poet's statue in the town.2 miles4 min by road
Directions
Gift shop table with wrapping paper, Nutscene twine, seed tray dibbers and Highland cow paintingsRestaurantsFlourish1.3 miles
Corner shopfront lit at dusk with outdoor table and chairs on pavementCafeKings Coffee and Books1.3 miles
A sign reading "Gracefield Arts Centre, gallery, cafe, craft shop, print makers workshop, studio rooms, admission free" stands beside a red sandstone building with solar panels on its roof.AttractionsGracefield Arts Centre1.3 miles
Multi-arched sandstone bridge over the River Nith with a weir in DumfriesAttractionsDumfries1.5 miles
Weathered headstones and an obelisk line a gravel path between tall cypress treesAttractionsSt Michael's Church, Dumfries1.6 miles
Red sandstone cathedral with pointed arches, tower and gothic west doorAttractionsThe Crichton, Dumfries2.5 miles
An aerial view shows farmland scarred with parallel trenches and heaped soil, a distant house and trees on the horizon.AttractionsThe Twelve Apostles Stone Circle3.2 miles
Burger stacked with onion rings, chips and a pint of beer at the barRestaurantsMabie House Hotel4.6 miles
AttractionsEllisland Farm6.4 miles
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