Visit the land of the Scottish Bard

“Some hae meat and canna eat,  And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit.”

Celebrated on Robert Burns’ birthday, 25 January, Burns Night gathers Scots and Scots-at-heart around the world to pay tribute to the great poet’s life and works, and the holiday is marked by festivities across Scotland.

Born in Ayrshire in 1759, Robert Burns – also known as Rabbie Burns – is Scotland’s national bard. Affectionately known as ‘the Ploughman Poet’, his verses stand as a fitting testament to Scotland’s proud literary history.

Let Burns Night inspire you to take a memorable trip at any time of the year to the Highlands, or dive into the deep history of Scotland, like taking a tour of Culloden with the Private Scottish Highlands Full-Day Tour. Or experience Edinburgh in August during the Fringe festival and the Military Tattoo. Scotland has so much to offer the inquisitive, the curious, the culture vulture, the adventurer, and the lover of nature. Its heritage runs deep, and the passion of its people runs even deeper.

There again, why not experience Burns Night in the land of the great man’s birth? Book a 3-Day Edinburgh Tour from London via train to find yourself well and truly entering into the spirit of the festivities. Burns Night is a great excuse for a traditional dinner (haggis, neeps and tatties, anyone?), a delicious dram of whisky and a poetry recital or two. Sadly, Robert Burns died at the relatively young age of 37. But his memory, works and spirit live on in a land that’s fiercely proud of his heritage and contribution to Scotland.

You’ll be amazed at how the entire Scottish nation rises to the occasion. From Burns suppers in restaurants and pubs, to whisky tastings, poetry recitals and singsongs wherever you go. And you’ll be sure to receive a warm welcome – whether you can sing or not.