Funding has been granted for a new museum to display the legacy of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It is hoped that the museum will be ready for the 250th anniversary of his birth in Janaury 2009. There will be around 4500 items on display including Tam O’Shanter and Auld Lang Syne written in Burns hand.

I have mixed feelings about the 17 million pounds to be spent on this project. I know that we should celebrate our heritage and this project will probably increase visitor numbers to the area. However I think that Burns is already firmly in the public eye. I know a school we had an annual Burns poetry reading competition and that Burns night get worldwide coverage. I would advocate spending more money on encouraging current Scottish poets.