A passionate, inspiring, forward thinking pioneer of his generation, Robert Burns, or as he is more commonly know, Burns, is regarded as the national poet of Scotland. Born in Ayrshire, in 1759, Scotland's best loved bard is famous for his political views, revolutionary behaviour, his love for the lassies and of course his world famous songs and poems including Auld Lang Syne.

Although Burns lived a short life, dying at the age of 37, it was fulfilling and eventful. Starting out as a farmer then moving on to become a writer, Burns travelled throughout Scotland where he gathered inspiration for much of his work. The stunning Ayrshire scenery and the romantic setting of Dumfries helped provide the insight for compiling much of his romantic material.

Today, throughout Scotland there are landmarks, museums and visitor centres all dedicated to the life and work of Robert Burns.

Robert Burns, or Rabbie as he is sometimes known, is a significant iconic figure in Scottish Culture and History and is also know as one of the worlds most famous poets.

Born into a poor family on 25th January, 1759, in Alloway, Ayr, Burns started his career by working on the family farm. Robert's father recognised the importance of education and together with other friends, a local teacher was hired to educate Burns. Even from an early age Burns began to show signs of his writing talent.

Moving into adulthood Burns was known for his great passion for Scotland and his dynamic and contemporary vision became an important source of inspiration to the founders of both socialism and liberalism.

He later rose to fame, in 1786 when his first works "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect" were published by John Wilson of Kilmarnock, and so began his flourishing career in writing.

Much of the influence for Burns' songs and poetry were gathered from his surroundings, the places he travelled to, the culture and politics of the day and of course the people he loved.

Now, more than 200 years after his death, Robert Burns is still one of the most celebrated men in Scottish culture and social history throughout the world.

Find details on some of the key milestones in Burns's short yet eventful life below.

Please note this is only a summary of events in the life of Robert Burns.

Scotland's favourite Bard, is famous the world over for his poems and songs, often regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement he is still inspiring and influencing Scottish literature centuries after his death.

His unique, contemporary, passionate and often radical work is what differentiates Burns from other poets of his generation. A keen traveller, Burns collected folk songs from across Scotland along the way, revising and adapting them into his own unique style. Equally famous for his thought provoking, romantic poems as he was for his more humorous work, like Tam O'Shater, his ability to diversify is one of the many reasons his work has survived through the ages.

Across the globe, you will often hear recitals of work by Robert Burns and more often than not, during New Year's celebrations, when friends, family and acquaintances join hands to sing Auld Lang Syne, one of his best loved poems, which encourages us to put the previous year behind and look forward to the new year ahead.

For full details and listing of the works created by Burns throughout his lifetime click here.

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