Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bachelors' Club |
|
|---|---|
| Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland UK grid reference NS4311327184 |
|
Bachelors' Club
|
|
 Bachelors' Club
|
|
| Coordinates | 55°30′47″N 4°29′10″W / 55.513156°N 4.486145°W |
| Type | Private Club |
| Site information | |
| Owner | National Trust for Scotland |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | 18th century |
| Materials | Stone and brick |
The Bachelors' Club is a special museum in Tarbolton, Scotland. It's looked after by the National Trust for Scotland. This old building, from the 17th century, has a thatched roof and furniture from that time.
The biggest room in Tarbolton was upstairs in this club. It was used for many social events. It was likely the first debating club in the countryside of Scotland. It also inspired many Burns Clubs around the world.
Contents
History of the Club
Starting the Debating Club
On November 11, 1780, a debating club was started by young men from Tarbolton. They were inspired by a similar club in Ayr. Robert Burns, a famous Scottish poet, was one of the founders. Other founders included Gilbert Burns, Hugh Reid, Alexander Brown, Thomas Wright, William M'Gavin, and Walter Mitchell.
Robert Burns was chosen as the first president. Their first meeting was held in a building owned by John Richard, which was used as a pub. Later, David Sillar, Matthew Paterson, James Paterson, and John Orr also joined the group. The club continued for several years, even after Robert Burns left the area.
- Views inside the upper room of the Bachelors' Club
Robert Burns's Time at the Club
Robert Burns also took dancing lessons here in 1779. This made his father quite unhappy. Burns later wrote about how his father didn't like these dancing lessons. He said his father developed a "dislike" for him because he went against his wishes.
In 1781, Robert Burns also became a Freemason at this club.
Club Rules and Debates
The club members created a set of rules. Robert Burns likely helped write most of them. One rule said that a member must have "a frank, honest, open heart." They should also be friendly and respectful towards others. The rule also stated that proud or selfish people should not be allowed to join. People who only cared about making money were also not welcome.
The club debated many interesting topics. Some questions they discussed were:
- "Do we get more happiness from Love or Friendship?"
- "Who is happier: a person living in nature or a farmer in a civilized country?"
- "If a young farmer with no money could marry two women, one rich but not pretty or fun, and the other pretty and fun but poor, which should he choose?"
Robert Burns argued that the young man should choose the girl without money. Each meeting ended with a toast to the "mistresses of the club." These were the mothers of each household.
Saving the Club Building
The Bachelors' Club building was home to many families until 1928. After that, it was empty for a while. In 1937, the local council planned to tear it down. However, the Burns Federation and the National Trust worked together to stop this.
World War II then happened, and in 1951, the building was bought for the nation. It was repaired and given a new thatched roof in 1971 by the National Trust for Scotland.
The Nocturnal Instrument
.jpg)
The Bachelors' Club has a very interesting and rare item. It's a wooden tool called a 'Nocturnal'. This name means 'night time'. It's similar to a Moondial.
A nocturnal helps you tell the time at night using the stars. You use the Pole star and another star. First, you set the instrument for the correct time of year. Then, you look through a hole in the middle to find the Pole Star. You then move an arm to line up with one of the 'pointer stars' that seem to point to the Pole Star. Where the arm meets the hour scale, you can read the time. We don't know the full history of this particular nocturnal.
See also
- Robert Burns World Federation
- Irvine Burns Club
- Burns Club Atlanta
