Robbie Burns Day 5o5f40

Robbie Burns Day is a Scottish holiday named after poet and writer, Robert Burns. Find out why we celebrate his work every January 25^th!

Who Was He? 121525

Robert Burns was born on January 25th, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland. At the age of 37, he died from rheumatic heart disease, which he had suffered from since he was a child. Robbie was the oldest of seven children born to a struggling farmer and his wife. After his mother introduced him to Scottish folk songs, songs. Some of Robbie Burns' most famous songs include "Auld Lang Syne" (the song people sing at New Years), "Ye Banks and Breaes of Bonnie Doon" and "My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose." His first book of poems was published in 1788.

Depressing Inspiration 642d7

Robbie Burns married Jean Armour the same year that his first book of poetry was published. They moved to Dumfries, where he rented a farm. Things didn't work out with the farm and he sunk into a deep depression. Throughout his times of depression (and this happened on several occasions), he continued to write poetry.

Celebrations 4c6360

Because Robbie Burns' work is loved so much, his birthday is celebrated all over feast would be complete without the dish of choice - haggis.

Recipe for Haggis g105l

Ingredients: u6r1d

• 1 sheep's bag and pluck (heart, liver, windpipe and lungs)
• 1/4 lb. suet
• 4 medium sized onions (blanched)
• 1/2 lb. pinhead oatmeal
• 2-4 level tablespoons salt
• 1 level teaspoon black pepper
• 1 level teaspoon powdered herbs

Instructions: 4wb72

1. Wash the bag in cold water, scrape and clean it well. Leave it overnight in cold water.
2. Wash the pluck and put in a pan of boiling water and boil for one hour. Leave the windpipe hanging out. Place a small bowl under the windpipe to catch any drips.
3. Place the cooked pluck in a bowl, cover with the fluid it was boiled in and leave overnight.
4. The next day cut off the windpipe. Grate the liver and chop the heart, suet and onions.
5. Toast the oatmeal, but make sure the color doesn't change. Add the oatmeal, salt, pepper, herbs and just over half a liter of liquid in which the pluck was boiled.
6. Mix well. Fill the bag more than half full of the mixture, then sew it up and prick it.
7. Place in boiling water, simmer for three hours, pricking occasionally to keep from bursting.
8. The bag may be cut into several pieces to make smaller haggis; cook one and a half to two hours.

Enjoy your meal and don't forget to read a poem by Robbie Burns!

Have Your Say 524a4n

Have you ever heard of Robbie Burns? Do you know any interesting facts about his life? Leave a comment and let us know!