250 Years of Robert Burns
Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a year long celebration of Scotland and everything it has to offer the world. As well as highlighting the 250th anniversary of the birth of Rabbie Burns there will be emphasis on golf, whisky, great innovations and minds and Scotland's rich ancestry and culture. The Inn on the Tay has all of this in abundance on its doorstep. From the world famous Birks o' Aberfeldy, immortilised by the Bard himself, to the half dozen local distilleries or the numerous golf courses, there is no better place to position yourself to enjoy over 200 homecoming events
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.
Around the world tributes to the life and works of Robert Burns are held, through the ritual of the Burns Supper. Originally started a few years after his death by a group of his friends and acquaintances to honour his memory, the suppers are now celebrated annually on the date of his birth, 25th January.
Take a trip to The Birks of Aberfeldy, a popular circular walk through wonderful mixed woodland on the outskirts of Aberfeldy. The Falls of Moness tumble through the gorge and provide a dramatic centrepiece, especially impressive after rain. Robert Burns visited in 1787 and was so inspired that he wrote the poem 'The Birks of Aberfeldie'.
The Birks of Aberfeldy
Now simmer blinks on flow'ry braes,
And o'er the crystal streamlet plays,
Come, let us spend the lightsome days
In the birks of Aberfeldy
Bonnie lassie, will ye go,
will ye go, will ye go,
Bonnie lassie, will ye go
To the birks of Aberfeldy?
The little birdies blithely sing,
While o'er their heads the hazels hing;
Or lightly flit on wanton wing
In the birks of Aberfeldy!
The braes ascend like lofty wa's,
The foaming stream, deep-roaring, fa's,
O'er-hung wi'fragrant spreading shaws,
The birks of Aberfeldy.
The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi'flowers,
White o'er the linns the burnie pours,
And, rising, weets wi' misty showers
The birks of Aberfeldy.
Let fortune's gifts at random flee,
They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me,
Supremely blest wi' love and thee
In the Birks of Aberfeldy