A PUB and restaurant built on the site of Robert Burns' old school has risen from the ashes after being destroyed in a fire.

Owner and chef Bill Costley had promised to rebuild the hostelry at Kirkoswald, near Turnberry, Ayrshire, and has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on restorations.

Souter Johnnie's Inn was gutted in a blaze in April 2012. More than 30 firefighters tackled the flames at the thatched roof building on the site of the Bard's former schoolhouse next to an old graveyard, where two cronies made famous by Burns are buried - Tam o' Shanter and Souter Johnnie.

Mr Costley had spent £1million on the hostelry, which he created in the heart of Burns Country and launched six years ago.

He has now relaunched his business and shortened the name of the traditional pub to Souter's Inn. It can accommodate up to 130 diners.

Mr Costley said: "We were deeply touched by the overwhelming offers of help and all the kind messages we received in the immediate aftermath of the fire, which is why I am pleased to be able to make good on my promise to reopen Souter's after the fire forced its closure.

"We may only have just reopened but have already exceeded our most optimistic forecasts and we are delighted with the response and support we have received from locals and tourists alike.

"With a strong emphasis on the quality of our food offering, customer service and contemporary design, Souter's is ideally located to cater for a brief lunch or refreshment before or after a round of golf or a sightseeing trip to Burns Country and the many attractions of the West Coast."

The blaze started shortly after two waitresses had put coal and wood on the inn's open fire. The site, was immediately emptied and at the height of the fire neighbouring homes were also evacuated as a precaution.

The cause of the blaze was embers setting the thatched roof alight.

The thatch had been previously treated to comply with rigorous safety regulations and afterwards the fire was described as "a million to one chance."

Mr Costley has now installed "a very realistic coal-effect open fire."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk