2600 viewers tune in to biggest Burns Night
The biggest Burns Night ever staged has drawn more than 2600 viewers to a virtual stream from the Bard’s cottage.
Fans of the poet from across the globe bought tickets to a unique supper from Rabbie’s birthplace, featuring a host of Scottish celebrities.
The Burns Big Night In, hosted by DJ and presenter Edith Bowman, featured a mix of music, song and poetry as well as conversation about his life, work and legacy.
Comedian Janey Godley gave her take on the Bard and Alistair McCulloch played the Gregg Violin - an instrument played by Burns himself. Viewers were also shown an original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne in Burns’own hand by National Trust for Scotland learning manager Chris Waddell. Performances also came from Kevin Williamson, Talisk, Iona Lee and Jenn Butterworth and Ross Ainslie.
The majority of attendees were in the UK but Burns fans logged in from the likes of the United States, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Singapore, Norway, Spain, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus, Sweden, Finland, Hong Kong, Bahrain and Austria.
Scottish Government culture secretary Fiona Hyslop was among those who tuned in to the event.
Mark Bishop, director of customer and cause at the National Trust for Scotland, said:“The Burns Big Night In wasn’t just the largest virtual event we’ve ever done, but the biggest Burns night we’ve staged.
“To have so many people around the world share our passion for Burns was phenomenal and it shows that in these extraordinary times the desire to come together and celebrate the things we love about Scotland is stronger than ever.
“The money raised from the event will continue the work we do such as the rethatching of Burns Cottage and repairing and restoring Burns Monument.
“And for that, as Burns might say, we’re thankit.”