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Burns for the bairns
02/12/2008
School pupils from across Scotland are to get the chance to broaden their knowledge of Robert Burns thanks to a special fund being provided by the Scottish Government.
As part of the build up to next year's 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's Bard, First Minister Alex Salmond said that plans were being put in place to help Scottish pupils learn more about Burns' life and works.
This will include the establishing of a fund to help schools visit the new Burns Heritage Museum being built in Alloway, Ayrshire.
Speaking as the St Andrew's Day celebrations drew to a close, Mr Salmond said:
"Robert Burns is one of Scotland's favourite sons, and as we approach the 250th anniversary of his birth, I am delighted that the Scottish Government can play its part in ensuring the Bard's legacy lives on for generations to come.
"We are contributing £5.5 million towards the National Trust for Scotland's £21 million project to build a world-class Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayrshire.
"And we will now be providing funding support to give school pupils across Scotland the opportunity to visit the new Burns Museum and other major Scottish historic sites.
"I view Burns as the Scot of the Millennium and through the new Museum, through the other Burns-related facilities in Ayrshire and beyond, and through funding support for school visits, we will ensure we preserve his legacy so that future generations can learn more about Scotland's greatest cultural icon."
The new Museum will form the main part of the Burns experience in Alloway, alongside the Birthplace Cottage, the Burns Monument and Gardens, Brig o'Doon, Alloway Auld Kirk and a connecting walkway to all the sites. The project is due for completion in 2010.