New Cumnock Development Trust (NCDT) are working in partnership with Fred Olsen Renewables to regenerate parts of the town.

Fred Olsen have started working rurally to show small communities how they could benefit from having wind farms.

They also pay community benefit funds into New Cumnock, which will work towards helping to give buildings in the area a much-needed makeover.

The project will see the town’s former Castle Hotel, which has lain empty for years, be refurbished as it was once where Robert Burns spent some of his time.

Members of the NCDT believe that keeping alive memories and stories like this are crucial in helping the town to thrive.

Sheen Boyd from the New Cumnock Development Trust said: “Fred Olsen have been really enthusiastic actually about the work we do, particularly the work with the dilapidated buildings.

“The New Cumnock Development Trust is a charity and the aim of it is to work towards regenerating and developing the community here.”

Ian Burgoyne, also from NCDT, added: “New Cumnock is a mining village, and there used to be a population at one time of about 8,500, but now we’re down to just under 4,000.

“It is very famous for Robert Burns and the hotel that has lain derelict for many years - and Robert Burns did stay in the Castle Hotel at one point.

“It’s not going to be a hotel again, it’s going to be what we call budget accommodation.

“When you look at the building at the moment, and the state it’s in, it will help it greatly.”

Finley Becks-Phelps, UK development director for Fred Olsen Renewables, says the ability to use wind energy to provide support for local communities is priceless.

He added: “The possibilities of wind energy are absolutely endless. It provides clean energy, but also helps us transition towards a greener future.

“Because we are working rurally, there are also a huge abundance of opportunities for local communities to benefit from having a wind farm in their local area.

“Fred Olsen Renewables are hugely proud to have communities at the core of what we do.

“Wind farms help us work cooperatively together, to help combat climate change and help us lower our carbon emissions.

“Wind farms, not only provide power, but it helps provide the entire infrastructure of a country, from those that are in hospitals, to those that are working in factories.

“We are very pleased to support the UK in its transition towards net zero.”