Bolton was the last home of Rabbie Burns' mother, sister and younger brother.
The most notable buildings in the hamlet are the Parish Church, an 18th-century dovecote or "doo'cot" and the former Bolton Primary School, which now serves as the village hall. Bolton Kirk was built in 1809 on the site of an older church. The churchyard contains the graves of the mother and brother of Robert Burns.
The 14th century mansion Lennoxlove House is two miles to the north.