WHO WAS ROBERT BURNS?

Robert Burns [25^th January 1759 – 21^st July 1796], also known as Rabbie Burns, is the national poet of Scotland. 

He wrote in the Scots language and dialect as well as in English.Some of his poems use a mixture of Scottish dialect and English.  He also collected Scottish folk songs and many of his poems have been set to music.

His poem Auld Lang Syne, in which days gone by and old friends are remembered, is sung at Hogmanay [New Year] celebrations in Scotland and all over the UK.  His best known love poem, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, has also been set to music.

Burns Night is celebrated on 25^th January.  People eat Scottish food, including haggis [a savoury pudding] which is “piped” into the dining room [brought into the room to the sound of bagpipes].  The guests then recite poems by Burns and finally sing Auld Lang Syne.