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Saluting Robbie Burns, Scotland's National Bard

Scots and would-be Scots will be celebrating the birthday of Robbie Burns
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Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne.

Everyone sings the lyrics on New Year’s Eve, but not everyone knows the song was written by Scotland’s National Bard, Robbie Burns.

Robert Burns was born Jan. 25, 1759 in Alloway, Scotland – the son of tenant farmers, who ensured that their son received a good education. Known as the Ploughman Poet, and the Bard of Ayrshire, Burns wrote in both Scots and English, turning out works that included To a Mouse, A Red Red Rose, and A Man’s A Man for A’That.

He was a rebel against the establishment, a philosopher, a lover, and a beloved poet, whose career was cut short in 1796 at the age of just 37, but whose work and life are still celebrated around the world.

The Lefroy-Belle Ewart Legion, 1017 Robinson St. in Belle Ewart, is hosting a Robbie Burns Dinner on Saturday, Jan. 25. The evening will include a roast beef dinner, toast to the laddies and to the lassies – and a recitation of Burns’ Address to a Haggis.

Tickets are only $25 per person; available at the Legion bar, or call Maggie, 705-456-0760.

More Rabbie Burns celebrations:

Lakeside Retirement residence, located at 985 Innisfil Beach Road, is hosting a Robbie Burns Day celebration on Friday, Jan. 24 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Residents and guests will enjoy bagpipes, Scottish music, and refreshments. Free, but please RSVP to 705-431-8105.

Barrie Pipes & Drums are hosting their annual Robbie Burns  Night on Jan. 25, at the Liberty North Event Centre, 100 Caplan Ave. in Barrie. Doors open at 5 p.m., Opening Ceremonies at 6 p.m. sharp. The evening will include Roast Beef Dinner, music by the Pipes & Drums, and Highland Dancing by dancers with the Miller School of Highland Dance. Tickets are $60 each – a fundraiser for the Barrie Pipes & Drums. Click here for details.