About the Bard (1759-1796)

Robert Burns, Scotland's greatest poet, was born on Thursday, 25th January 1759 in a two roomed thatched cottage in Alloway, near Ayr where his father, William Burnes, ran a small market garden. Burnes senior came from the north-east of Scotland descending from a line of poor farmers. Robert was to drop the ‘e’ from the name and become Burns.
Googling ‘Robert Burns’ gave us more than 1,800,000 results and there are over 1000 books written about our Robert. There have been countless ‘Immortal Memories’ delivered at Burns Suppers since the first celebration in 1801 at the family home in Alloway.

The debate rages about the type of person he was. Was he a whisky swilling womaniser? A romantic poet? A political radical? Or a ploughman poet? In truth probably all of the above and much more. Whatever your preferred personality, Burns is rooted in the heart and soul of Scotland and is a cultural icon around the world.

Jean Armour, Mrs Robert Burns (1765-1834)

Jean Armour’s story began in the little village of Mauchline in Ayrshire where she was born on 25th February 1765, being the second oldest child in a family of eleven!! Who would have thought that Jean’s first encounter with Robert Burns, way back in 1784 on her drying green in Mauchline would later lead to her worldwide recognition! Life in the eighteenth century was tough for Robert and Jean and despite Robert’s many wanderings, Jean’s love for her husband never waivered. As well as bringing up their own children, Jean brought up Robert’s illegitimate daughter as one of her own.

After Robert’s passing, Jean was to become as well-known as the man himself, something which she never sought.  She was well respected in the market town of Dumfries where she spent the 38 years of her widowed life until she passed away on 26th March 1834.An excellent read is the book entitled Jean Armour, My Life and Times with Robert Burns, edited by Peter J Westwood and presented as if written by Bonnie Jean herself.

Burns Night
 

Each year on January 25th, Scots everywhere take time out to honour a national icon.
Whether it's a full-blown Burns Supper or a quiet drink with friends, Burns Night is a night for all Scots but how did it all begin?

On 21st July 1796 Scotland mourned the loss of its beloved Ploughman Poet. Five years after his untimely death at the age of 37 a group of his friends and followers in Greenock set up the first Burns Club, known today as the ‘Mother Club’, to celebrate the Bard’s Life & Works.

The first Burns celebration was held on the 5th anniversary of his death in 1801 in the house where he was born in Alloway. Following this tribute to Burns it was then decided to move the event to the anniversary of his birth. The following year the first Burns Supper was held on 29th January, becoming the first Burns Night and Burns Supper. However, in 1803, a search of the Ayr parish records confirmed the bard's birth date to be 25th January 1759.

 Click on 'Read more...' below to see the winners of our 2009 Budding Bards Competition.