Role Summary

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks a highly skilled Project Manager to lead the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, delivering significant conservation and adaptation works at Ellisland Museum and Farm. The post is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to players of the National Lottery and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Introduction

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) safeguards the 1788 farm designed and built by the poet Robert Burns on the banks of the Nith near Dumfries. The A listed steading is the best preserved of all the poet’s homes, the only one he built, and the place where he wrote a quarter of his musical output, including the international anthem to friendship, Auld Lang Syne. The farmstead sits in 140 acres comprising woodland and fields which were first enclosed by Burns himself. RBET is a membership Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a volunteer board of Trustees formed in 2020, although the site itself has been held in trust since 1928. It is located six miles north of Dumfries off the A76. It is an accredited museum, with seasonal opening, holding events and group visits off-season, depending on capacity. A small team of volunteers maintain the grounds and riverside walks for free public enjoyment all year.

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust’s charitable purpose is as follows:

To hold the lands and farm of Ellisland, and such other funds and assets as may from time to time be comprised in the Trust Property, in trust for the following purposes:

(a) the advancement of education

(b) the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture

(c) the promotion of the life and works of Robert Burns

(d) to maintain a museum and collections for the benefit of the public

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust Mission Statement is as follows:

“Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Burns in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet’s eyes. We will create a world class visitor experience and a vibrant centre for creative learning to ensure the unique collection, buildings and landscape are accessible to a diverse range of modern audiences.”

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne

In September 2024, our trust secured the offer of a development stage grant of up to £489,206 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. In November 2024 we were awarded up to £313,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise towards the project. We expect to receive Permission to Start by January 2025. The development stage of the project is costed at £945,000 while the full cost after delivery and re-opening is £7.4m, which includes start up activity costs.

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne intends to bring the spirit of Burns – love, kindness and equality – into the 21st century and widen access to Ellisland with a vibrant programme of events, activities and artist residencies. We will restore the 1788 cottage, creating an immersive visitor experience, and develop a gallery/museum to display the collection, which is at risk in the deteriorating buildings. Our barn will be sensitively adapted as a Centre for Song, so future generations are inspired by Burns’s “sweet poetic ground.” We will increase visitor numbers and develop new income streams to protect the built heritage, collection and outdoor spaces, including woods, paths and fields created by Burns. This will increase economic prosperity in South Scotland and enhance wellbeing with skills training, jobs and volunteering opportunities.

A full brief can be downloaded below.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is excited to be recruiting for the role of Marketing & Communications Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for the development and delivery of individual marketing and communication plans to promote every aspect of Trust activity to raise the profile of the Trust and develop key audiences. The role holder identifies new opportunities to engage with audiences and markets through promotional materials and creative campaigns including marketing across digital platforms, direct marketing, website development and public relations.

About Scottish Historic Buildings Trust

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a Charity and Building Preservation Trust with over 40 years’ experience saving derelict and redundant buildings throughout the whole of Scotland. Everyone has driven or walked past a forlorn and unloved historic building at some time. You may have wondered why it isn’t being used or why doesn’t someone do something with it? The answer is often complex and the solutions equally so. It takes a special group of people to identify a way forward and restore these buildings to the benefit of the community. SHBT is a dynamic and innovative charity that does just that and our Marketing & Communications Manager is key to our success.

Diversity

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open processes, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone.

Further information

For an informal chat about the job, please contact Fiona Lawrence, Operations Manager, by email on fiona@shbt.org.uk

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is excited to be recruiting for the role of Fundraising Officer. This is a new role which will contribute to our fundraising strategy over the next five years; working to create a new donor database, as well as launch in due course a new supporters’ scheme. Requiring creativity and ambition, we are keen to support the role holder with a training package and mentor, helping us shape the role and achieve realistic fundraising targets. This is an opportunity for someone keen to make a lasting contribution to one of Scotland’s leading heritage organisations.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director, you will contribute towards building our supporter base and developing fundraising income. Working closely with colleagues in Events, Communications and Marketing, you will maximise engagement with donors and voluntary income in support of our work as Scotland’s largest historic buildings preservation trust and our work across the country.

About Scottish Historic Buildings Trust

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is a Charity and Building Preservation Trust with over 40 years’ experience saving derelict and redundant buildings throughout the whole of Scotland. Everyone has driven or walked past a forlorn and unloved historic building at some time. You may have wondered why it isn’t being used or why doesn’t someone do something with it? The answer is often complex and the solutions equally so. It takes a special group of people to identify a way forward and restore these buildings to the benefit of the community. SHBT is a dynamic and innovative charity that does just that and our Marketing & Communications Manager is key to our success.

Diversity

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open processes, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone.

Further information

For an informal chat about the job, please contact Fiona Lawrence, Operations Manager, by email on fiona@shbt.org.uk

Join our team as the Trusts and Foundations Coordinator, where you'll play a key role in helping to deliver National Galleries of Scotland’s ambition to grow funds raised from grant sources. This is a wonderful opportunity to build on your fundraising skills, while working in a highly supportive Development Team passionate about art.

You will have excellent research and organisational skills, strong written and verbal communication, and be proficient in analysing financial information for persuasive grant submissions.

You’ll be responsible for maintaining the list of prospects, monitoring opportunities and recording approaches and outcomes. You’ll also write proposals and steward relationships with Trusts and Foundations through regular communication, report writing, arranging visits and generally ensuring we meet the conditions of any funding received.

This post is part of a pilot strategy to grow NGS income. This post is initially on a 22-month fixed term contract, with the possibility of extension depending on the income levels achieved during the pilot. This offers an excellent opportunity for a results-driven individual to demonstrate their impact and contribute to shaping the success of this initiative.