Mauchline is a characterful little town in East Ayrshire with a long and varied history.  It is the home of Mauchline ware the famous wooden souvenirs and the only curling stone factory in the world, however the main reason many people visit here is the strong connections to Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns.
Mauchline is mentioned in every Burns trail and with good reason.  He spent four important years here from 1784 to 1788 and during that time he experienced many highs and lows including

• Leasing local Mossgeil farm with his brother after their father died
  
• Fathering his first child to one of the farm servants
  
• Meeting and later marrying Jean Armour, they had four children here who unfortunately died
  
• During his on and off relationship with Jean Armour he married 'Highland' Mary Campbell who also fell pregnant with his child, they planned to emigrate to Jamaica, however Mary died later that year
  
• Setting out and publishing his Kilmarnock Edition, a collection of his poems published in 1786 by John Wilson of Kilmarnock, the 612 copies sold out in just over a month
  
• Writing approx 56 poems including some of his most famous such as 'Holy Willies Prayer', 'The Twa Dogs'. 'The Belles of Mauchline', 'The Jolly Beggars Cantata' and 'To a Mouse'
  

I had never been to Mauchline before and decided this week that it was time to visit the area of Scotland that inspired many of my favourite Burns poems.  The day I visited it was bucketing with rain which meant that I didn't manage to enjoy a full walk around the town, however there was still plenty to do and my first stop at the free Burns House Museum was a warm and welcome shelter from the wet deluge outside.  A 20 minute video about the Bard's life during the period he resided here was an informative introduction to the complicated life of the poet.  The museum is situated in a building where Burns and his wife Jean Armour spent some time living and features a recreation of the room they lodged in.  The museum also houses Burns artifacts and even has a listening snug where you can relax and enjoy his poems.  There has been alot of thought put into this museum and it's exhibits and the fact that it is free makes it an ideal starting point when visiting the town.

I'm going to put it out there, Culzean Country Park and it's instantly recognisable castle is one of my favourite Scottish attractions.  I've been visiting this National Trust for Scotland property since my early childhood and 3 decades later not much has changed.  There have been a few improvements and alterations here and there but overall this timeless classic of a park has pretty much remained the same giant playground for adventurers of all ages that I nostalgically remember.

The Robert Adam designed clifftop castle is no doubt the sparkling gem of this Ayrshire crown but the surrounding grounds offer an array of natural and historic twinkling jewels which compliment it perfectly.
The castle is open to the public and you can choose to tour the beautifully furnished room at your own pace or as part of a guided tour.  The armoury is particularly impressive as it holds one of the world's largest collection of swords and pistols. 
The manicured gardens below the castle with the groomed green lawn, ornate fountain and palm trees makes a perfectly picturesque lunch spot.