Robert Burns was born on 25th January 1759 in Alloway. He began life living in a single room, thatched cottage built by his father. This cottage is now a museum. He attended John Murdochs school in Alloway and also John Murdochs Grammar School in Ayr before leaving in 1773. His family then moved to a farm and he helped his father. His father spotted his writing talents and sent him to Hugh Rodger at Kirkswald in 1775, to try to enhance them. His life experiences inspired his works as well as the people he met who were often mentioned in his peoms and songs. Mary Campbell who he wished to elope with inspired him to write "Highland Lassie O". Also he wrote the song "Ae Fond Kiss" for Agnes M'Lehose whom he wrote love letters to. In the end he married one of his first loves and already the mother to 4 of his children, Jean Armour. He stayed with her until his health tragically deteriorated and he died of rheumatic fever on 21st July 1796. He was buried 4 days after this while Jean was in labour with their ninth child, who later died before its 3rd birthday.
Due to the success of the work of Burns his birthday is now celebrated by the people of Scotland by the holding of a Burns Supper on or about his birthday as a tribute to the Scottish Bard. It is traditionally celebrated by eating haggis served with neeps and tatties and drinking a dram of whisky to toast the haggis, or in our case, cold in the middle haggis, lumps of turnip, watery smash and irn- bru!
Also trying to keep in with the usual proceedings of a supper, Lisa said Grace before eating and Andrew addressed the Haggis. The theme of the evening was a Scottish one and everyone was meant to say a Burns poem, but due to the late arrival of the smash, as usual the Monifieth Ventures ran out of time!!!
It was though a great night and you can view our photos and see why!
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