A new museum celebrating the life and works of Robert Burns will not be ready for the 250th anniversary of the poet's birth.

Campaigners had hoped for a grand opening on January 25, 2009, kickstarting the Year of Homecoming, a Scottish Government-backed initiative to lure foreign-based Scots back home.

However, the body charged with building the museum, the National Trust for Scotland, has warned it won't open until the end of 2009 at the earliest.

The museum, close to the poet's cottage birthplace in Alloway, near Ayr, was supposed to be the centrepiece of the 2009 celebrations.

John Skilling, the secretary of the Burns Monument Trust, the body that owns Burns Cottage, said: "The intention was always to have everything ready in time for a grand opening on January 25. It's apparent that is not going to happen."

Funding for the new museum and related other improvements to Burns heritage was formally announced a year ago. The former Scottish Executive committed £5.5million and the Heritage Lottery Fund another £5.8m.

The lottery distributor, however, made only an initial commitment. It is now up to the National Trust to make a detailed bid for the cash. It will do so next month after rejigging its plans.

The charity, which is trying to manage its way out of its own funding crisis, will also have to find other money to complete the project. The £11.3m from the government and lottery fund is far from enough, even with a substantial commitment in land from South Ayrshire Council.

An NTS spokeswoman said: "The trust and the Scottish Government are determined that the priority for the Burns Birthplace Museum is to offer a lasting legacy for Scotland."

The new museum will hold around 4500 artefacts, including the original manuscript of Tam O'Shanter.