Ellisland Museum in Dumfries, which was farmed by Robert Burns and his family in the late 18^th century, will launch a project for young people thanks to a £5,000 grant from the ScotRail Foundation Cultural and Arts Fund.

The ScotRail Foundation is part of the ‘ScotRail in the Community’ initiative and aims to empower residents making a positive difference in their local community.

The project will help to modernise the organisation as they continue to preserve the history of the farm and its place in the story of Robert Burns life, where he wrote more than 130 of his most famous works.

Having created its own Curriculum for Excellence programme, which covers Burns’ poetry, the museum will use the funding to deliver the Ellisland Tales and Trails project, providing a fun way for local young people to learn about Burns’ work, the Scots language, history of the site and surrounding landscape.

The funding provided to 18 groups and individuals throughout the country is the largest the Cultural and Arts Fund has ever made, with £60,215 being awarded to support local communities.

Applications are taken from groups or individuals across Scotland looking to fund arts, community recreation, or sports activities in the vicinity of a train station, or with a travel or safety theme.

James Ledgerwood, Head of Economic and Community Development at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “It’s fantastic to see the real difference that these grants are making to local communities. This project is providing young people with an opportunity to learn about one of Scotland’s most famous poets.

“We know how important the railway is to the communities we serve, and we want to do all we can to strengthen and support that link.”

Sue Hughes, Ellisland Museum Project Officer, said: “At Ellisland Museum we actively work with young people to develop and deliver our programmes.

“This exciting project will provide a new opportunity to work with professional artists and storytellers to produce creative interpretation for the site designed by, and for, young people.”

Giles Ruck, CEO Foundation Scotland, said: “We have been working with the ScotRail Foundation since 2016 supporting grassroot projects across Scotland. This latest round has attracted a number of projects which will connect communities to their railway stations, bringing colour and vibrancy to the stations and the thousands of travellers who pass through each day.”