The Globe Inn Tours

The Bard’s Beloved Howff: An Intimate Encounter with Robert Burns There is a particular kind of magic tucked away within the historic closes of Dumfries, but nowhere does the spirit of Scotland’s National Bard linger more tangibly than at The Globe Inn. First opening its doors in 1610, this atmospheric hostelry was Burns’ cherished sanctuary—his "favourite howff." Within these timber-framed walls, he debated, laughed, raised a glass, and scribed some of the most celebrated poetry in the English-speaking world.

On The Globe Inn Classic Tour, history is not merely recited from a distance—it is felt in every floorboard, whisper, and stone.

Step Beyond the Veil of Time Guided by acclaimed, award-winning storyteller Kathleen Cronie, this 1-hour tour invites you to cross the threshold into Burns’ inner circle. It is an immersive journey that strips away the marble monument to reveal the living, breathing humanity of the poet:

The Poet’s Chair: Experience the quiet thrill of sitting in the very chair where Burns spent countless evenings holding court, musing on liberty, love, and life.

Verses Etched in Glass: Lean in to trace the delicate, surviving lines that Burns inscribed with a diamond stylus directly into the original tavern windowpanes—enduring poetic fragments that remain exactly where his hand left them more than 200 years ago.

Vivid Heritage & Artistry: Marvel at the stunning stained glass that illuminates the Inn’s storied corners, and soak up the rare ambience of rooms that have welcomed poets, locals, and wanderers for over four centuries.

Come for the poetry, stay for the spirits of the past, and leave with a profound connection to Scotland’s greatest cultural icon.

Times and tickets

• 11:00 — Classic Burns Tour Child £5, Classic Burns Tour Adult £10, Tri-Site Adult Tour £35, Tri-Site Child Tour £15
• 13:30 — Classic Burns Tour Adult £10, Classic Burns Tour Child £5, Tri-Site Adult Tour £35, Tri-Site Child Tour £15
• 15:00 — Classic Burns Tour Adult £10, Classic Burns Tour Child £5, Tri-Site Adult Tour £35, Tri-Site Child Tour £15