This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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The complete Robert Burns
05/07/2004
Tourists and Scots alike will be able to track down the
complete life and works of Robert Burns, through a project
which lists the rich and diverse collection of Burns
memorabilia throughout Scotland.
Frank McAveety launched the study which will give a
clear picture of the distribution and care of Burns
collections, and accepted a copy of 'The Definitive
Illustrated Companion to Robert Burns' on behalf of the
nation.
Speaking at Burns Cottage Museum, Alloway during a
day-long visit to Ayrshire, the Minister for Tourism,
Culture and Sport said:
"Robert Burns is one of Scotland's most famous sons and
is popular around the world and at last we have a picture
of where the collections lie, who has what, where it is
kept and how it is cared for.
"Scotland's cultural heritage is something of which we
are justifiably proud. Thousands of people visit every
year to experience it at first hand. Being able to learn
about and appreciate Burns is important not just for Scots
but also for those visitors. The accessibility of the Burns
collections will have a positive effect on the tourist
industry.
"It is essential that we know the scale and distribution
of collections in order to ensure that future generations
can share and enjoy them. The funding of this project
through the Strategic Change Fund demonstrates accurately
how beneficial this initiative can be not just locally, but
nationally too."
The project has been funded by the Strategic Change Fund
(£107,306) and will run from November 2003 to March
2005.
There are 36,526 artefacts in the Distributed National
Burns Collection. 53 per cent of the most significant
objects are cared for by the independent sector.
Burns Cottage museum holds 35 per cent of the most
significant material. There are only 35 copies of The
Definitive Illustrated Companion to Robert Burns.