The 25th January is Burns Night, to celebrate the works and life of the great Scottish National Bard, Robert Burns.

You can still visit the cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire, where Robert Burns was born and lived in his early days, doing his schooling in the kitchen, living with his family alongside the farm animals and writing verse as a way to escape from the incredible hardships of life.

Robert Burns is known world-wide for his poetry and songs (especially Auld Lang Syne, sung worldwide to welcome in the new year with loved ones). 

The tradition of Burns Night began when nine of Robert's close friends got together nine years after his death and spent the evening reading his poetry, singing his songs, eating haggis and toasting him.  And so the tradition has continued ever since, with Burns Night still celebrated today all over the world!

The National Trust for Scotland has a new Red Red Rose Tartan Range in their Robert Burns Collection, with books of his works, and clothing and accessories, too. 

His poem The Red Red Rose was first published in 1794.  It describes the speaker's deep love for his or her loved one, and the poem says that this love will stay fresh and constant forever more, even lasting longer than human life.  

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is like the melody

That’s sweetly played in tune.

This Red Red Rose Tartan Lambswool Scarf 
is available from the National Trust for Scotland for £27.00

There's a Red Red Rose Tartan Extra Fine Merino Stole
for £65.00

This is the Red Red Rose Tartan Lambswool Blanket 
for £115.00

Visit the National Trust for Scotland here to find out about the wonderful heritage of Scotland.