A Journey Through Time: Discover the Historic Farm behind “Auld Lang Syne” in Minecraft

In a remarkable blend of history and technology, a new mobile game allows players to immerse themselves in the 18th-century farm where the famous Scottish poem “Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns was born. “Explore Ellisland!” is a Minecraft version created by students and scientists from the University of Glasgow, offering users the opportunity to explore the farm and interact with the Burns family. Moreover, an educational version of the game will be made available in schools on January 25th, coinciding with the bard’s birthday.

The game faithfully recreates the farm that was built in 1788 and still stands on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries. Players will have the chance to listen to an exclusive rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” by singer Emily Smith, as well as enjoy “Tam o’ Shanter,” another poem that was penned on this very farm.

This ambitious project is the result of a collaboration between the university, the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, which manages the Ellisland Museum and Farm, and the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA). The connection with the University’s Games and Gaming Lab was established through Interface Online. The project was funded by the Scottish Government’s Tourism Leadership and Recovery Fund, aiming to support business and community tourism initiatives.

The mobile edition of the game is a continuation of the PC version, which was released in 2022. Bailey Hodgson, president of Minecraft Society and one of its founders, who has been playing the game for ten years, expressed excitement about the new versions: “These new editions will make the game accessible to an even wider audience before Burns Night. The game offers an incredibly rich experience, utilizing the Scottish language and many of Burns’ verses.”

Joan McAlpine, project director at the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, noted: “Last year, we saw an increase in visitors, and the Minecraft Ellisland game certainly contributed to that. The game offers an incredibly rich experience, utilizing the Scottish language and many of Burns’ verses. It connects with a different generation and updates the understanding of Burns and the era he lived in. The mobile and educational versions of the game will allow us to reach an even greater number of young people.”

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