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A few years before his first collection of poems was published, Robert Burns co-founded the Tarbolton Bachelors’ Club in this curious red-shuttered, thatched 17th-century house. It was here that he learned to dance, became a freemason and created a men-only debating society.
Bachelors’ Club is a must-see for Burns fans and gives a rare insight into the secrets of male social life of the age. Downstairs is an 18th-century living space, while upstairs are the meeting rooms once used by Burns and his friends.
Thatch was the common building material for roofs. It was naturally renewable and a lightweight insulator. The Bachelors’ Club is one of approximately 200 thatched buildings remaining in Scotland. Thatch roofs can last several decades but eventually need to be replaced. To continue to preserve the character and integrity of the Bachelors’ Club, we will shortly begin a phased project that begins with rethatching the roof.
The Bachelors’ Club will be closed to the public for the rest of the season as we embark on this crucial restoration project. We anticipate reopening in 2025 and look forward to welcoming visitors back. Please check our website for updates on the reopening: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit.
