Welcome
Bachelors' Club is a very rare surviving 18th century thatched and lime-washed house in the Ayrshire rural village of Tarbolton. It is owned and operated by the National Trust for Scotland, and celebrates the Tarbolton period of the life of Scotlands national poet Robert Burns. On 11th November 1780, Robert and Gilbert Burns met in this building with five of their friends and formed the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club - a debating society for young unmarried men living within the parish of Tarbolton. The property retains the atmosphere and quirky characteristics of a building used down through the centuries as an alehouse, meeting room, domestic dwelling and cattle byre!
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Downstairs main roomStaff/Courtesy Public Toilet.Table Top ShopAccess with steps
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
Stagecoach bus service 43 connects with Ayr. Contact Traveline 0871 200 2233 for information.
Parking
There is a very shallow slope downwards towards the entrance. On rainy days care should be taken walking on wet paving.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
There is a deep and wide threshold at the door which has to be stepped over by visitors. Wheelchair users may pass over this with care, and a staff member is present to provide help if required. Tall people have to stoop slightly to enter the building. The door is 1800mm high.
Getting around inside
Downstairs main room
All visitors to the property benefit from no fixed entry charge and recieve a bespoke guided tour. Voluntary donations are very welcome and contribute to running costs. The lower room is interpreted as an 18/19th century living space with period furnishings and detail. It has a very low ceiling with open beams and a stone flagged floor with rugs. There is space for a wheelchair to access the room with limited manouverability around the furniture. Some furniture can be moved to create more space if required. Light levels are slightly subdued and typical of a historic vernacular building with small windows.
Public toilet
Staff/Courtesy Public Toilet.
The toilet has restricted access - the first opening is 1700mm high and 700mm wide, and then there are two doors both 1800mm high and 600mm wide. There is no wheelchair access and there are no disabled fittings in the toilet.
Shop
Table Top Shop
The table top shop is in a small room with a low ceiling and rough concrete floor. There is no wheelchair access.
Upper floor/meeting room
The upper floor of the property is accessed from outside at the rear of the building. There is a short lane with concrete and paving stones and sharp turn to the right to the stairs. There are nine stone stairs and a hand rail on the left hand side going up. The upper floor is not wheelchair accessible, however slightly infirm visitors may negotiate the steps using the handrail, and a member of staff can offer assistance.
At the top of the stairs is a sloping door 1700/1900 mm high and 800mm wide which provides access to a porch with a low sloping ceiling. Then a sharp right turn, and a step up through another door 1800 mm high and 900 mm wide, provides access to the actual room. There is a wooden floor with rugs and chairs available for visitors.
Getting around outside
The small garden is reached from the adjacent lane. It contributes to the visual appeal of the property and is planted to encourage biodiversity as part of the Green Tourism Award. Visitors may enjoy a closer look if they wish. There are seven stone steps up to a slabbed path and small patio with flower and shrub beds and a lawn.
Customer care support
None
Customer care support
There is a first aid box available, and the staff member has a First Aid at Work certificate.