Yearlong celebrations for Scotland’s most famous poet

One 18th century Scottish poet, 312 credited songs, 37 years of life, 15 years of romancing, the acknowledged father of 14 children and still celebrated throughout the world each year on the 25 January - it is little wonder Homecoming Scotland is marketing the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns with a year long programme of events in 2009.

Hear from a few of the annual Burns’ night event organisers who plan to mark Burns’ Night 2009 in style.

As Scotland celebrates Burns’ Night in 2008 with a mass of poetry, music, ceilidhs, pipers, fiddlers, hearty heaps of haggis, and of course a wee dram – we hear from a few of the annual Burns’ night event organisers who plan to mark Burns’ Night 2009 in style:

"In the celebratory 250th year since Robbie Burns' birth, Children 1st Burns Reloaded will seek to build on its growing popularity to draw more visitors to Edinburgh,” says Helena Houston, Regional Fundraiser for Children 1st (formerly the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and organiser of Burns Reloaded, a modern twist on the traditional Burns Supper.

“This year will see almost 600 guests come from far and wide, including New York, Sweden, Dublin and London, and with plans for 2009 already underway, we hope to attract growing numbers of international revellers.”

Burns Reloaded provides an evening of lavish entertainment and fun, with comedians, dancers, pipes and drums and a ceilidh where guests can have fun learning some traditional Scottish dancing.

In Glasgow, Celtic Connections (Celticconnections.com ), the UK’s premier Celtic music festival, takes place over 19 days in January and February with over 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, free events, late night sessions and workshops in 14 venues across the city.

Celtic Connections Artistic Director and member of Scottish band Capercaillie, Donald Shaw said:

“Celtic Connections attracts high-profile acts to Glasgow every January and has become a truly eclectic festival experience. We're already busy planning the 2009 festival. On Burns’ night, we have some of the best Scottish music talent performing, including Blazin Fiddles, King Creosote, Kris Drever and three of our finest singers - Annie Grace, Corrina Hewat and Karine Polwart.”

Elsewhere in the city West Sound Radio has been organising a Burns’ Supper in the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow for the past 23 years. This Saturday they will welcome 600 guests to enjoy the words and music of the famous poet. Each year the event is recorded for broadcast on West Sound Radio on 25 January and 2009 will see us stage ours on the Saturday 17 January, 2009.

Brenda Ritchie, Station Director said: “With over 600 people this year and even more expected to enjoy the words and music of the bard next year, we will certainly make sure that our Burns’ 250th anniversary celebrations are a night to remember.”

Every year Burns’ Night is celebrated across Scotland and beyond, from the prodigious settings of the nation’s capital, Edinburgh, and the revelry of Glasgow, to the village of Drumnadrochit by Loch Ness and the Borders town of Peebles.

In London, VisitScotland has teamed up with cutting edge retailer Harvey Nichols and Vogue.com to host a prestigious, celebrity event to celebrate the famous bard. The exclusive Scottish event, partially funded by the Scottish Government and the Glasgow:Edinburgh Collaboration, is being held in Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, where VisitScotland will promote Glasgow and Edinburgh city breaks to host of celebrities and opinion formers. For more information see Visitscotland.com/harveynichols

The Homecoming Scotland Celebration will run throughout 2009, complementing the vast range of world-class attractions already offered in Scotland.

As well as Burns himself, the Homecoming Scotland 2009 events programme will celebrate golf, whisky, enlightenment and innovation, and Scotland’s rich culture and heritage.

For more information see Homecomingscotland.com

To book accommodation or to plan your visit to Scotland in 2009 visit Visitscotland.com/liveit.