Robert Burns

The 19th-century scholar and educationalist J S Blackie summed up Burns's importance to Scotland and the Scots with the words: 'When Scotland forgets Burns, then history will forget Scotland.' Today, Burns is unique in the affection and fascination that his memory inspires. The fruits of his legacy can be seen not only in Scotland but around the world - on product packaging, in advertising and on a wealth of merchandise, as well as through continued scholarship and academic study.