Collective Architecture, an award-winning and 100% employee-owned practice with studios in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee, was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering process led by The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust. The Trust is the charity responsible for safeguarding Ellisland Farm and Museum near Dumfries.

The A listed 1788 farmstead is recognised as a site of exceptional historic and cultural importance. It is where Burns wrote a third of his creative output, including iconic works such as Auld Lang Syne and Tam o’ Shanter.

The design work is part of the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, South of Scotland Enterprise, Museums Galleries Scotland, and The Holywood Trust.

Earlier plans for a new-built visitor centre on the site have been scaled back to focus solely on adapting and conserving the historic buildings, which several condition reports have assessed as being at-risk.

Led by Emma Fairhurst and Gerry Hogan of Collective Architecture, the team will develop proposals to reverse historic damage to the 18th-century buildings, provide a safe home for the museum collection, and sensitively adapt certain structures to serve as event and education spaces.

The brief also includes creating visitor accommodation on what Burns called “Sweet Poetic Ground,” with the aim of hosting creative retreats and workshops so that future generations of  artists can also “see nature through the poet’s eyes”

The cottage that Burns built for his wife, Jean Armour, will be restored as closely as possible to its original 1788 condition. Modern alterations will be removed to create an immersive historical experience for visitors.

Joan McAlpine, project director of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne, said: “The Trust was impressed by Collective’s collaborative approach and their outstanding track record in conservation-led adaptive reuse. We particularly admired their work on other A listed sites such as the restoration of the Calton Hill Observatory in Edinburgh and the James Watt Institute in Greenock. Both projects involved the sensitive adaptation of heritage buildings housing important collections.

“Now that we are focused on delivering our vision using the A listed farm buildings, Collective’s expertise made them our first choice.”

Emma Fairhurst of Collective Architecture commented: “It is a privilege to be appointed to lead the design team for Ellisland Farm, a site of deep historical and cultural value. We look forward to working closely with The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust to restore and enhance this remarkable place, ensuring its legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.”

Collective Architecture has specialisms in conservation, strategic planning, and energy conscious design. Other notable projects include Glasgow Women’s Library and The Briggait in Glasgow.

The practice is one of several consultants appointed to the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project. Peebles-based Abound will develop an interpretation plan for the site, while Rob Robinson Heritage will produce a revised business plan.

In addition, Peter Thierfeldt – whose previous experience includes The Willow Tea Rooms, The Citizens Theatre, and Pitlochry Festival Theatre – has been appointed Director of Development to lead a major international fundraising campaign.

The development stage of Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne is costed at more than £900k and could unlock more than £1.2 million from the Heritage Fund to help deliver the completed project.