Welcome January!
I hope you are all holding up well on these bitterly cold days.
Now that the Christmas rush is over here at the store, we are getting ready to celebrate a big date on the calendar in Scotland (and of course for Scots everywhere around the globe!).
Robbie Burns day is coming up on Tuesday, January 25th and in this months blog we are all about, “all things Rabbie”
The first thing we have to mention is his link to Irvine in Scotland where the Wandering Scott herself, our lovely owner Caroline Kohler hails from. Although born in Alloway, In December 1781 Burns moved to Irvine to learn to become a flax-dresser. During the workers’ New Years celebrations the flax shop caught fire and burnt to the ground. This ended his time in Irvine and he returned home to Lochlea farm. During his time in Irvine he met and became friends with Captain Richard Brown, who encouraged him to become a poet. So thank you Irvine and Captain Brown!
This statue, in Irvine was sculpted by Pittendreigh McGillivray, and donated by James Spiers. It was erected in 1896
Burns Night Supper – All hail the haggis!
Will you be addressing the Haggis on the 25th and quoting Burns’ elaborate ode “Address to Haggis”? The first Burns supper was held in July 1801, when nine of Burns’ close friends got together to mark the fifth anniversary of their friend’s death. It took place at Burns Cottage in Alloway and included a meal of haggis and performances of Burns’ works.
We have haggis available in both our freezer and grocery section, and to get you in the mood here is a lovely recipe you can try! https://www.christinascucina.com/haggis-neeps-tatties-tower-burns-night-haggis-turnips-potatoes/
https://thewanderingscott.ca/product/stahly-scottish-haggis-425g/
If you can’t make it into the store you can buy this handy canned version online by clicking the link above!
Burns Crystal is a Scottish manufacturer of hand engraved quality crystal glass and gifts. A small business started in the village of Mauchline, Scotland, where the world-famous Scottish poet Robert Burns spent most of his life, the company was aptly named after him, and you can see his inspiration throughout their beautiful range.
Elegantly engraved and packaged in beautiful presentation boxes, Burns Crystal glassware makes a wonderful gift for any occasion…
Check out some of our lovely selection of Burns crystal here!
https://thewanderingscott.ca/product/burns-crystal-thistle-etched-hiball-glasses-set-of-6/
Famous Poems and Songs of Robbie Burns
There are far too many to mention, so I am going to give a nod to my favourite of each! My favourite poem from the National Bard is, A Red, Red, Rose. Quite fitting too, given next month we celebrate St. Valentines Day.
A Red, Red Rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
Ah, the romantic Scots… one survey reported that Scots score a nine out of ten for their passion, lip-locking skills, and romantic gestures.
Auld Lang Syne
And of course not just mine but I bet one of everyones favourite ways to welcome in the New Year, is with a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne! In 1788 Robert Burns sent the poem to the Scots Musical Museum, he said that it was an ancient song but that he’d been the first to record it on paper. The phrase ‘auld lang syne’ roughly translates as ‘for old times’ sake’, and the song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year. I just love the nostalgia of it!
Did you know?
Gosh I really love learning fun facts and sharing the best of them with you all. So here is this months lot dedicated to the man himself!’
- Auld Lang Syne’ is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the top three most popular songs in the entire English language.
- American Fashion Designer Tommy Hilfiger claims to be a direct descendent of Robert Burns
- In 2009 Robert Burns became the first ever person to appear on a commemorative bottle of Coca Cola
- American President, Abraham Lincoln, had a lifelong admiration for the work of Robert Burns, with some claiming that the poet’s work had a key role in helping Lincoln win the American Civil War and abolish slavery.he work of Robert Burns has appeared in hundreds of films and TV programmes, including Hollywood classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946), ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989) and ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994).
- Robert Burns originally spelled his name “Burnes” and he penned his first poem at the age of 15.
- There are more statues, monuments and memorials dedicated to Robert Burns than any other non-religious figure, after Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus.
Well that was lovely, I really enjoyed learning about all things Robbie Burns, and I hope you did too! Thank you for coming along with me!
Wishing you all a very happy remainder of January, stay safe and, well… we have some VERY exciting news to share in our next blog so stay tuned. You won’t want to miss this one!
Bye for now!
Sources quoted
macadventure.com / robertburns.org/ irvinescotland.info / bbcgoodfood.com / poetryfoundation.org / scotland.org / http://ascentsofscotland.com