Epic USA trip begins for Burns violin

The trip is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, the principal way in the United States of supporting Scotland’s heritage.

Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is David Hopes and I was the Trust’s Curator (from 2006–11) and then Director (2014–16) of Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. RBBM includes the tiny thatched cottage where Burns was born and a magnificent Victorian monument to Burns (both recently conserved with the assistance of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA). The museum is also home to the most significant collection of Burns artefacts in the world.

One of those artefacts, a violin played by William Gregg, Burns’s dance teacher, will be the star of our trip to the States. It’ll be played by one of Scotland’s finest fiddlers, Alistair McCulloch.

It’s a real privilege to share the violin with so many friends and supporters of the National Trust for Scotland in the USA. The trip has been organised by Kirstin Bridier, Executive Director of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, in partnership with the Scottish Government, who are kindly funding the 18-day tour.

Although it’s me taking the violin to the States, it’s been a team effort to make this happen.

I’d like to thank the amazing staff at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, particularly Chris Waddell and Caroline Smith, the Trust’s brilliant Curatorial and Collections Services team, particularly Suzanne Reid (Conservator) and Sarah Beattie (Curator), and the Tarbolton Bachelors’ Club Committee, especially Bobby McCroskie.

The trip will take us from New York to Boston, Chicago (twice!), Los Angeles, and Washington DC.

I’ll be posting updates as we journey across the USA – please do follow and share, and let me know if you have any travel tips!

If you have any enquiries about the trip please contact my colleague, Kirstin Bridier, kbridier@ntsusa.org

If you are based in the USA and would like to support Scotland's heritage please visit https://ntsusa.org