Author: Eva McFarlane. Eva is a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University with a BA (Hons) degree in English, she is a current student in the MA Creative Writing programme. Originally from Edinburgh, she enjoys all writing with a Gothic twist, primarily within the dark fantasy and horror genres. She is also a poet, with her first poem The Men they could have been published in summer 2024 in the Whitburn Gala Programme. Additionally, Eva has recently completed her first poetry manuscript and is eager to get published while she also works on her novel The Corpse Road.

The time draws near, for Burns Night is here. So, on the 25th of January (Robert Burn’s birthday) many Scots of all classes and ages will join in supper and celebration of the life and work of this renowned Scottish creative. But why of all the country’s writers has Burns become Scotland’s national poet? This article will explore the reasoning behind this and examine the impact he has had on Scottish culture in the modern world.

Growing up, being Scottish, I remember the buildup to the 25th of January reciting my favourite of Burns’ poems— A Red, Red Rose in my primary school class. From poetry recitations to being taught how to dance ceilidhs in secondary school, Burns has left a mark on Scots, young and old throughout the generations.

On the fifth anniversary of Burns’ death, July the 21st, 1801, his friends gathered in what is today known as Burns Cottage in Alloway to honour his memory. Going into 1802, the celebration date was changed to his birthday. Looking to his life, it is known that he was the oldest of seven children, becoming the primary labourer in his family by the age of fifteen. Due to his background, many refer to him as the ploughman’s poet, as he was born into a lower-class background and had his life end living in poverty. Even with his underprivileged background, he still managed to garner an education with the help of his father, giving him the tools he needed to become the poet we know today.

O, Once I Lov’d A Bonnie Lass

Burns was known to have had quite a few affairs in his life, with the presence of women in his writing going back to when he was only fifteen. His first poem titled O, Once I Lov’d A Bonnie Lass was written to impress a girl named Nellie, here we get an idea of his love for the girl. With her being described as ‘sweet,’ ‘her reputation is complete,’ and having ‘innocence and modesty’ we get an idea of the qualities she possessed and what drew Burns to her. But looking at the poem’s importance, this piece marked the first of his many works, starting him off on a strong path towards becoming Scotland’s renowned poet, as well as providing readers with an idea of what he considered attractive in women. With ‘a gaudy dress’ said to ‘slightly touch the heart,’ this depicts Burns stating that although a woman showing herself off may garner attention, true beauty is held by the ones who take pride in themselves without baring all so easily. Looking to what he wrote at the age of only fifteen, his poetic genius is already apparent, something that only becomes stronger as he enters his adult life.

A Red, Red Rose

Continuing with the theme of love, I would like to draw attention to A Red, Red Rose,a poem that expresses Burns’ love for who readers can only know to be a mystery woman. Written in the style of a ballad, Burns was inspired by a Scottish song he had heard. The speaker of the poem showcases the strength and endurance of their love for this unknown woman through their descriptions, which depict a love that is pure and everlasting. The poem opens by stating: ‘O, my luve is like a red, red rose.’ Opening in this manner creates the image of a love that is pure and has recently bloomed. One danger in opening with this simile however is that it creates a picture of a fleeting love, one that blossoms with beauty, but will eventually wither over time. However, Burns strategically furthers his depiction of love, going on to employ imagery in three instances to describe the love he feels for this mysterious person: ‘a’ the seas gang dry,’ ‘the rocks melt[ing] wi the sun,’ and ‘the sands o’ life shall run.’ These three examples create a stronger and more eternal idea of the love the speaker has for this woman, suggesting that his love for this mysterious other will live on even if the couple are to part. Overall, the poem speaks to the power of everlasting love, to committing to that person even when you are apart. Because of this, it is a powerful and evocative poem that details the speaker’s youthful excitement towards their partner that they will carry forth into old age.

Tam O’ Shanter

Another of Burns’ poems is Tam o’ Shanter, a poem that details the tale of a drunken man who discovers a coven of witches and only just manages to escape with his life. This poem resonates with me as it transports me back to a memory of my childhood— drawing a picture of the titular character, Tam riding his horse for my art class in high school. I recall the excited buzz as Burns night drew near, the feeling of chalk sliding through my fingers as I tried to capture the trees and darkness within the setting, with Tam and his horse taking centre stage. The poem, written in Scottish dialect is an ambitious one, comedic at times while it depicts the shortness of life’s pleasures and the bitter consequences we face. An example of pleasure being fleeting can be found in the quotation: ‘like the snow-fall in the river, a moment white, then melts forever.’ This imagery is derived from nature, it contrasts with the previous stanzas in which the safety and warmth of the pub are described, with him even ‘drown’d himsel’ amang the nappy’ showing his happy, drunken state. The tale showcases the liveliness of the Scottish hardworking people while employing the superstitions present at the time. Although there are no real consequences that befall Tam in him shouting out to the witch, his horse, Meg losing her tail acts as a close call that could still ultimately signify the need to be mindful of one’s actions.

Auld Lang Syne and A Man’s a Man for a’ That

But of all his poems, Auld Lang Syne one to expect to hear during Burns Night. The poem, often sung translates to ‘old long since,’ it showcases the need to cherish old friendships and the past, with the phrase: ‘we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet’ meant to refer to the image of people toasting to friendship and happiness. While piping in the haggis, it is also common to hear A Man’s a Man for a’ That, a poem that urges for equality. Given that Burns was not of a high social standing and could not vote, he therefore wrote to give himself a voice against social injustices, with his views present in his work.

Although Burns had lived a short life, dying only at 37 in 1796, his memory has certainly lived on. The Ayrshire-bred poet, though considered a Scottish literary hero today was not so well off in his time. Burns was born into poverty, the son of a tenant farmer, and his class remained the same throughout his short life, with whatever money he made from his books often draining rather quickly. Upon his death, his life was cut short due to a rheumatic heart condition, he was living a life of poverty, carrying only £1 to his name. Today, Burns has earned the title of Scotland’s national poet, pioneering the use of the Scottish dialect in literary works, while also writing in the English language. Burns’ writing in the present day remains important, with Scottish writers such as Irvine Welsh, as an example, carrying on writing in the Scottish vernacular. As the Scots dialect had long been considered a sign of a lower education, such writing thus breathes a new life into our history and culture, allowing the world to discover more about the language and the Scottish people. Therefore, Burns Night is more than just a chance to dance and socialise, it is a chance for the Scottish people to celebrate Scottish the life of a man from humble beginnings who used his creativity to bleed Scotland’s beliefs and traditions into his writing.