Robert Burns
Portrait of Robert Burns by Alexander Naysmith, 1787 © Scottish National Portrait Gallery. All rights reserved.
Robert Burns is world famous as Scotland's national poet. Burns's progressive views on politics, religion and class inequalities inspired both the liberal and socialist movements.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Burns's birth and is the inspiration behind the year of Homecoming. On Burns Night, 25 January, Scots at home and abroad will celebrate the Bard's life, songs and poetry.
The following songs, learning resources, images and information have been created to support your school or early years centre as you join in this national celebration.
Robert Burns - interactive map
Discover Burns's Scotland with our interactive map. Explore the story of his life with poems, songs and letters.
Burns songs performed by The Cast
Six of Burns's songs performed by The Cast - Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis, two of Scotland's finest contemporary folk musicians.
Addressing the bard
Read this collection of 12 contemporary poems, written in response to a selection of Burns's works.
Early years, primary and secondary resources
Browse a collection of Burns learning resources and Scots literature, language, song and music resources.
Poets' Blog
Three Scottish poets blog on the creative process as they write their personal response - in poetry - to Robert Burns.
Related links
BBC - Robert Burns
This new website from the BBC celebrates Rabbie Burns's life and achievements in poetry and song.
More on Robert Burns
Burns and slavery
The legend of the Burns supper
An article exploring the roots of the Burns supper and how the idea spread around the world.
The ultimate Burns tour in Scotland
The ‘Top Five’ tips on where to go to discover Robert Burns in Scotland.
Robert Burns and Abraham Lincoln
An article on Lincoln's lifelong admiration for Burns's work.
Burns's love poetry
Strories around a selection of Burns's best known love poems, and the women who inspired them.