Posted 2 days ago
Mon 20 Jan, 2025 12:01 AM
What is Burns Night?
On 25 January Scotland and friends of Scotland celebrate the life and work of poet Robert Burns. Burns Night is celebrated around the world on 25 January, which was Robert Burns' birthday.
The first Burns supper was held in 1802. It is common to open the night of celebration with reciting Burns' 'Address to a Haggis'
A Burns supper traditionally will include haggis (great chieftain o' the puddin' race), whisky, poetry and ceilidh dancing.
Who was Robert Burns?
Robert Burns was an 18th century poet who is said to be a pioneer of the Romantic movement. He is the national poet of Scotland, who wrote over 700 poems and songs in his short lifetime.
He tried to make poetry more accessible to the everyday people by using common themes.
Burns published hundreds of pieces that became incredibly popular over the years, becoming the go-to songs or poems for a number of Scottish celebrations. The poem 'Address to a Haggis' traditionally starts a Burns Night, while 'Auld Lang Syne' is usually the song that ends it or takes people into the new year at Hogmanay. 'Auld Lang Syne' is recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the top three most popular songs in the English Language. The most accurate plain English interpretation of the piece’s famous title is ‘Old long since’, or ‘For the sake of old times’.
His influence on Scottish literature is beyond significant and can be felt up until today. He was born in 1759 and died in 1796, aged 37.
Facts about Robert Burns
- After Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus, Robert Burns has more statues dedicated to him around the world than any other non-religious figure.
- 'Is There For Honest Poverty' (also known as 'A Man’s a Man for a’ That') was chosen to open the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 due to its themes of equality and universal brotherhood.
- A book of Burns' poetry was carried into space by astronaut Nick Patrick during a two week space mission in 2010. The book completed a 5.7 million mile trip managing 217 orbits of the earth!
- Glasgow's Mitchell Library is believed to house the world's largest Burns collection.
- The University has a Centre for Robert Burns Studies
- You can visit Robert Burns House and visit more Burns related sites in Dumfries. See our area guide for more.
