Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland's favourite poet.
Guided Tour
Guided Tour
What is it?
A guided tour is the practice of an individual leading a group of people around a point of interest and giving them information about it, which can cover topics such as religious significance, cultural history and how it relates to other locations and events in history.
What does it involve?
Attending a guided tour basically just involves paying attention! All the work is done for you in finding out the facts and presenting them in an interesting manner; the role of the participant just calls for a level of interest in your surroundings and an eagerness to learn!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Tour guides can be extremely educational - physically interacting with the place while learning about its history will provide a different kind of academic experience to the classroom by giving the students something more tangible to focus on.
What equipment do we need?
You shouldn't need any equipment for a guided tour, but check beforehand to make sure; some tours involve their participants even further by getting them to write down their own thoughts, or make drawings - so you may need to ensure students have something to write on!
Who is it suitable for?
Guided Tours are suitable for pretty much anybody if you pick the right one - smaller children will find it harder to focus on more complex subjects and will need more visual aids, but if they are engaged correctly they will have a great time! Likewise, teenage students will get bored if the subject isn't engaging enough, so make sure to choose the tour appropriate for the age and interests of the group.
Costs?
Around £20 or less per person, but it can vary greatly depending on the location of the tour - for example, a minibus tour around a park will cost more than a short walk around a country manor! Make sure to shop around to get an idea of the prices in your area.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
A guided tour should be suitable for all ages, but students with condtions such has ADHD may have trouble focusing for an extended period of time - make sure to be aware of the specific needs of your group.
How do we include?
Many guided tours have disabled access for those with limited physical movement, but it would be wise to doublecheck beforehand. Those who are deaf and blind can also be included in guided tours but may need more specialist staff - again, you will need to check with the specific establishments.
Doing it abroad?
There are points of public interest all around the world, so wherever you can find something well known chances are there will be a guided tour available! Foreign tours may be conducted in another language though, so make sure to confirm the specifications of the tour before booking it.
Main website:
This website gives a good overview of places where you can go for a tour guide, but you're best looking at the specific areas around you to find out details!
Venues with this Activity
The Royal Burgh of Ayr held the Rozelle lands as part of the Barony lands of Alloway until an auction in 1754 to reduce the Burgh debt brought sale of the lands to Robert Hamilton for £2,000. The Hamilton family made their fortune in the sugar and tobacco industries in the West Indies. The first mansion house was finished by 1760 and was in the classical style of Robert Adam.
North Ayrshire Heritage Centre shows the history of North Ayrshire with displays of archaeology, costume, transport, and popular culture. A photographic archive of the local area is available for reference.
The museum has displays on the history of the town and the surrounding area, local family history, overseas links especially with Australia, the ship HMS Largs, and so on. Each year a special themed display is prepared for the museum’s opening in June, July and August.
Built in 1776, the former parish church in Saltcoats, houses our principal museum collection.
Set within the magnificent grounds of Rozelle Park, the Maclaurin Gallery offers a rare chance to enjoy a wide range of works from local, national and internationally acclaimed artists.
The Doon Valley Museum is located in a conversion of one of the oldest buildings in Dalmellington (dating from 1744). It was saved from demolition in the 1980s and now serves the community as a museum, art gallery and meeting place. Our permanent museum displays explore some of the rich heritage of the Doon Valley – with a focus on mining and how it affects the communities of the area.
Dean Castle, home and stronghold of the Boyd family for over 400 years, is open all year round to visitors and is one of Ayrshire’s greatest free attractions.
17th century flour mill and ancillary buildings on riverside site
17th century flour mill and ancillary buildings on riverside site. Exhibitions telling the story of country life from 1800 to the present day. Collection of costume, furnishings and memorabilia.
a fresh combination of interactive and traditional exhibits; a truly authentic Burns experience
Refurbished in 2004, the Burns House Museum is a fresh combination of interactive and traditional exhibits; the Museum represents a truly authentic Burns experience.
Brodick Castle offers 800 years of history and a staff of Rangers and Education Guides who are used to dealing with school groups both on a formal and informal basis. From Vikings to Victorians, we provide a unique opportunity to expand on the topics covered at various levels in the curriculum.
A mansion located 2 miles (3 km) south southwest of Montrose, the present Dunninald Castle was built in the Gothic-revival style to the designs of architect James Gillespie Graham (1776 - 1855) for Peter Arklay in 1824.
One of the finest country houses in Scotland
Originally founded in the mid-13th century as a leprosy and plague hospice, it was remodelled and expanded in the mid-19th century by Patrick Allan-Fraser (1813-90), who served as his own architect. The building draws on mediaeval domestic architecture, resulting in a curious arrangement of Scottish Gothic, yet functional and with spendid, well-preserved interiors.
The beauty of Edzell was a statement of the prestige of its owners, the Lindsays.
The stylised walled garden was created around 1604. Adorned with heraldic sculptures and carved panels, the architectural framework surrounding the garden is unique in Britain.
The garden also includes walled flower and nesting boxes and a delightful summer house.
Come and visit the finest castle in Scotland - Winner Best Attraction 2015
Glamis Castle has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and a royal residence, since 1372. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the late Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret, as well as the legendary setting for Shakespeare´s famous play Macbeth.
Restenneth is noted for its ruined priory, with its square tower with octagonal spire forming a prominent landmark.
The working studio of the famous Montrose sculptor includes displays of his sculptures and etchings
William Lamb was a man who gave all to his art. Worldly success and the politics of art interested him not at all. He may be revealed now as one of the few original minds in Scottish art of this century.
Based at Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, the collections of the Tayside Medical History Museum are among the finest in Scotland, showcasing the extraordinary history of pioneering medical research and practice in Dundee and the surrounding region.
Extraordinary collections of animals, birds, fish and reptiles from around the world, plus models, charts and other teaching equipment
The University's Zoology Museum houses many fascinating specimens from around the world. Most of them were collected by the celebrated Sir D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, the first Professor of Biology at Dundee.
A wide range of objects of artistic, historical and scientific interest
The University has over 30,000 historic artefacts, artworks and specimens acquired during the 134 years of the institution's existence. These are cared for by Museum Services, which has been awarded Full Accreditation as a public museum service.
Exhibitions and Displays
Eight stunning galleries and a changing programme of exhibitions and events
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum is a splendid Gothic Revival-style building housing Dundee’s main collection. McManus’ displays offer a fascinating insight into Dundee, through exhibitions of Art, History and the Environment.
There are 8 galleries within The McManus, which are laid out on two floors.
RFC/RAF and wartime artefacts, pictures, memories and memorabilia housed in the wartime RAF Montrose HQ, depicting the story of the historic aerodrome which opened in February 1913, and various aircraft on display outside. Also recently opened to the public is a wartime pillbox with working field telephone.
History
The museum holds significant Neolithic and bronze age artefacts, and from Montrose’s later history the collection includes examples of Montrose silver and Dryleys pottery.
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