Ayrshire is the birthplace of Robert Burns and also where Booth Welsh was founded and continues to thrive. As an employee-owned business, we believe in using our skills and expertise to create a positive impact in our communities, and our continued collaboration with Irvine Burns Club is a great example of how we bring this commitment to life.
Following the success of our original digital transformation project with Irvine Burns Club in 2023, Booth Welsh has continued our partnership to develop an innovative new platform that celebrates Robert Burns’ connection to Irvine and creates a new way for people to experience his story in celebration of 200 years of the Irvine Burns Club.
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The interactive digital map allows users to explore key locations across Irvine linked to Robert Burns, discovering the stories behind each place and learning more about the poet’s time in the town. Through the platform, users can interact with an AI-generated version of Robert Burns, who shares his poetry and narrates the stories connected to these historic locations, creating an immersive and engaging experience for visitors, schools and the wider community.
This project demonstrates how Booth Welsh is using its engineering and technology expertise to create meaningful social impact beyond our traditional sectors. By combining innovation with local heritage, we are helping to preserve Ayrshire’s history while creating new opportunities for people to engage with Robert Burns’ legacy.
Building on the techniques explored during the original Wellwood Museum transformation, Booth Welsh has utilised advanced digital technologies including photogrammetry, artificial intelligence and augmented reality (AR) to develop an interactive digital experience that allows users to engage with Burns’ world in a new and immersive way.
Martin Welsh, Booth Welsh Managing Director, commented:
“This project represents exactly what we want Booth Welsh to stand for as an employee-owned business. We have a responsibility to use our skills, knowledge and expertise to support the communities around us and create a positive impact.
Our C.A.R.E.S values guide how we work every day, and this project is a great example of Stewardship in action, using our expertise to protect and celebrate an important part of our local heritage. It has been great to work so closely with Irvine Burns Club over the last few years, and I am honoured to have been made an Honorary Member of the Club following our first collaboration.”
Peter Latham, Irvine Burns Club President, added:
“Booth Welsh has demonstrated how innovative technology can transform the way we experience history. Their commitment to supporting this community project has enabled us to share Robert Burns’ story and his connection to Irvine in an exciting new format, making his poetry and legacy accessible to audiences of all ages. On behalf of the Club, we would like to sincerely thank Booth Welsh for all their support and effort in making this project come alive for us.”
The platform was unveiled at a special launch event at Irvine Burns Club on 6th of August, marking the start of the Club’s bicentenary celebrations. The event brought together members of the Club, community representatives and project partners to experience the platform for the first time and celebrate this milestone in the Club’s history.
As part of the bicentenary celebrations, Irvine Burns Club will also host a series of public drop-in sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the interactive platform and discover the story of Robert Burns’ time in Irvine. If you would like to attend you can find the details below.