Scots raise a glass to celebrate Robert Burns’ 267th birthday

People across the country have been celebrating Robert Burns’ 267th birthday, with many raising a glass and tucking into a haggis in honour of the beloved poet.

First Minister John Swinney was among those sharing messages of goodwill on social media, with a post featuring lines from the poem For A’ That And A’ That.

The post also read: “From my family to yours, Happy Burns Night”, followed by a Scotland flag emoji.

The Real Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh was among many venues offering a special Robert Burns experience to mark the occasion.

The popular attraction offered tours featuring readings from his works, followed by a dram of whisky and a group recitation of his famous Address To A Haggis.

Tour guide Josh Nixon, 17, who led one of the tours in the character of the poet, said it “means a lot” to be playing Burns on Burns Night.

“He’s such an iconic figure across Scotland, and such an icon for young poets and people who write poetry,” he said.

“He’s also (got a) personal connection to me, just with my family, the region I’m from, a large part of my childhood was learning Burns’ poetry and doing readings in schools.”

Among those taking part in a tour were Philippa Raby, 36, and Stephen Hampson, 37, who travelled up from Manchester to experience Burns Night in the Scottish capital.

Mr Hampson, who works in marketing, said they “love” coming to Edinburgh, which he described as a “beautiful” city.

He went on: “We’ve been here a few times, but we’ve never been here for Burns Night. And obviously it’s a really famous night in Scotland.

“We want to see what all the fuss is about, really.”

Asked about why they think people continue to celebrate Burns and Burns Night, Ms Raby, who works in IT, said the poet still “resonates” with people.

“He was just a normal guy with a family, and he loved Scotland, he loved nature, and he loved the Highlands as well,” she said.

“I think his poetry is kind of a love letter to Scotland, and I think that that really resonates with people.

“There’s many a poet that wrote love letters to Britain, but I think there’s something very special about his poetry.”

The pair said they were going to have dinner with friends, and that they “might do a bit of his poetry to each other”.

Asked for his views on why Burns – and Burns Night – has such enduring appeal, Mr Nixon said he is one of the writers who has given us the Scotland we have today.

“Burns’ poetry especially – along with other authors from Edinburgh and around Scotland – their words paint the images that we have of Scotland today,” he said.

“The imagery of kilts, the images of the tartan, all that is painted so majestically in the poetry and in the words that Burns wrote.

“So I think it’s personal, not just to us, but across the entire world.

“They see the romanticised version of Scotland that Burns put towards us.”