With January 25 marking the birthday of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, and in the Year of Natural Scotland 2013, celebrations have been scheduled countrywide, forming the culmination of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.
Many of Burns’ songs and poetry were inspired by Scotland, particularly the scenery of Ayrshire, his birthplace, and the setting of Dumfries & Galloway, where he lived in later life. His love of nature likely stems from his working life on the family farm in Alloway, Ayr, where we wrote poems such as ‘To a Mouse’, ‘The Primrose’ and ‘A Winter Night’.
Burns Night is a time for food and culture, with Scotland’s national poet toasted and celebrated. Traditional Burns suppers with haggis, neeps, tatties and plenty of whisky and music are also on offer across Scotland, with music and storytelling promising merry-making for all ages.
Robert Burns celebrations highlights include: from January 18 to 26, the Scottish Storytelling Centre-Burnsfest 2013 in Edinburgh has a packed program of Robert Burns related events, including storytelling, music, songs and of course haggis; on January 25, the Famous Grouse Experience - Burns Distillery Tours in Perthshire will have the special Burns tour of one of Scotland’s most popular distilleries and five-star visitor center; on January 25, the Bonham Hotel- Sin in the City Burns Dinner in Edinburgh will offer an alternative Burns Dinner; and from January 25 to 27, Dumfries - Big Burns Supper in Dumfries & Galloway becomes the newest festival of contemporary arts providing an annual platform for “quality production and artistic ambition”.
Other events include: on January 26 to 27, National Museums Scotland’s Burns Unbound; and on January 27, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum’s Alloway 1759.
