How Burns Night Boosts Scottish Tourism

Who was Robert Burns?

Burns Night is an annual event celebrated on January 25th in honor of the Scottish poet Robert Burns. It is a time to celebrate his life and work, as well as Scottish culture and heritage.

Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely considered the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide for his contributions to literature and culture. He is also known as “Rabbie Burns”, “the Bard of Ayrshire” and “the Ploughman Poet”.

Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, and grew up in poverty. Despite this, he received a basic education and began writing poetry at a young age. His first book, “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect”, was published in 1786 and was an instant success.

Burns’ poetry is known for its celebration of the natural world, its focus on rural life and the daily struggles of the working class, and its use of the Scottish dialect. Some of his most famous poems include “Auld Lang Syne”, “To a Mouse”, “To a Louse”, “To a Haggis”, “Tam o’ Shanter”, and “A Red, Red Rose”.

In addition to his poetry, Burns is also celebrated for his contributions to Scottish folk music. He collected and preserved many traditional Scottish songs, and wrote many of his own songs, many of which have become popular folk songs. Burns died at the age of 37, but his legacy has lived on.

Today, Burns Night is celebrated annually on January 25th, which is the anniversary of his birth. This event is marked by Burns suppers, which are events that include a formal dinner and the recitation of Burns’ poetry.

How does Burns night boost Scottish tourism?

One of the main ways that Burns Night brings in tourism is through traditional Scottish events and gatherings. These events often feature traditional Scottish music, dance, and food, such as haggis, neeps, and tatties. Many events also include a reading of Burns’ poetry, and the traditional Burns Supper, which includes a formal dinner and the recitation of Burns’ famous poem, “Address to a Haggis”.

A study by Glasgow University (2020) found that the bard brings in over £200 million in tourism to Scotland each year. This is a massive contribution to the Scottish economy and a huge boost for Scottish tourism. 

Another way that Burns Night brings in tourism is through the promotion of Scottish heritage and culture. Many events and activities are organized to celebrate and promote Scotland’s rich history, traditions, and customs. This includes everything from traditional Scottish games and sports to exhibitions of traditional Scottish art and crafts.

Burns Night also brings in tourism by providing an opportunity for people to connect with their Scottish heritage. Many people of Scottish descent, who live outside of Scotland, use this event as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. This can be especially appealing to those who have Scottish heritage but have never had the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

Finally, Burns Night also brings in tourism by providing an opportunity for people to experience a unique cultural event. The celebration of Burns Night is not something that is often found outside of Scotland, making it an attractive and unique experience for tourists looking to experience Scotland’s rich culture.

Burns Night is a great night to promote on your social media if you have serviced accommodation apartments in Scotland. It’s a unique event that takes place not only in Ayrshire, where Burns was born but all over Scotland. #Burnsnight will be trending and is a great hashtag to use on your socials for maximum exposure. 

Interested in learning more about Burns? Check out our properties near the birthplace of Burns