A toast to Burns: model Rachel Hood launches the NTS campaign urging people to start their own Burns adventure Pic: © Warren Media
A programme of exciting and unique events to celebrate Robert Burns’ birthday this year has launched, with Rabbie-inspired speed dating and Burns Suppers, as well as comedy, music and whisky events.
A Braw Burns Birthday has been organised by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), with 24 hours-worth of action-packed activities taking place everywhere from Alloway to Aberdeen.
Kicking off on 17.59 (1759 was the year Rabbie was born) on January 24, and carrying on until January 25, the bard’s birthday, the programme of 37-and-a-half events – one for each year the poet lived – offers something to suit all tastes.
Some of the highlights include The World’s First Ceilidh Flash Mob, taking place at Parliament Square on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on Wednesday January 25. A live ceilidh band and professional instructor will take anyone who fancies learning some of the moves through each step.
The Robert Burns Speed Dating Night, held at All Bar One in Glasgow, is also sure to be a hit. As the world’s first Robert Burns-themed speed dating event, singletons can have a bit of fun while potentially finding their perfect partner.
Gents will be asked to take after notorious ladies’ man Rabbie and charm all the women, while the ladies get to ask as many questions as they like. At the end, each will present her favourite gent with a rose - and the man with the most roses will be officially crowned Robert Burns! Tickets are £9.95.
Another one that’s sure to draw in the crowds is the Kick-Off Event held at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Café in Alloway. This gig features local bands Little Fire and Rose parade, who will be performing some of the bard’s most famous work.
Earlier this week the NTS launched a new advertising campaign, urging more people to visit the award-winning Robert Burns birthplace museum in Alloway, with model Rachel Hood handing out red roses to unsuspecting commuters in Glasgow’s St Enoch’s underground station.
Nat Edwards, director of the museum, said:“We’ve had an amazing first year, with hundreds of thousands of visitors, loads of awards and nominations, including a five star award from VisitScotland.
“Visitors absolutely love the museum and its unique and at times irreverent take on Burns. We want everyone to hear about the museum and come along to visit. We hope the new adverts will encourage a whole new audience to visit, start their adventure with Burns and celebrate a braw Burns birthday on the 25th.”
Find out more and get access to the full programme for A Braw Burns Birthday from the National Trust for Scotland website.
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