The Scottish poet, Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759 in the “auld cley biggin” that is now known as Burns Cottage. The day of his birth is celebrated today throughout the world as Burns Night, with Burns Suppers, poems and songs, and remembrance of Scotland’s National Bard. The celebrations go further than a simple appreciation of Burns poems and songs – great as they may be. Burns has come to be a symbol for Scotland and a global brand for the Scots themselves.

Burns was voted the Greatest Ever Scot by television viewers in a 2009 poll and Burns’s song Is there for Honest Poverty was chosen as the anthem to open the new Scottish Parliament. Yet, behind the global brand, lies a complex and surprising man, who grew from the obscurity of a small, West of Scotland village, to become perhaps the first modern celebrity. Some Robert Burns facts can be found on this page.

Burns key dates