Ahead of the 2025 Burns Night, yesterday (Wednesday, November 22nd) the Scottish Parliament debated the importance of Robert Burns and recognised the lasting impact of Scotland’s National Bard.
Opening the debate, Oliver Mundell MSP noted how Burns’ enduring appeal is universal and mentioned the findings of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns (CRBS) and the 2020 Pittock Report
Emma Harper MSP also highlighted the CRBS and mentioned how the Centre’s projects promote Scotland at home and abroad. Mr Harper MSP has also explored the 2020 interactive map of Burns Suppers, which tracks over 2,500 contemporary Burns Suppers and Burns Night events, spreading across 6 continents and nearly 150 countries.
Concluding the debate, Minister Jamie Hepburn MSP remarked Burns’ impact on Scottish tourism and the economy in general. As noted in the Pittock report, Burns related tourism and celebrations generate over £200 million in revenue each year.
Click here to watch the Parliamentary debate
You can read the Pittock Report, Robert Burns In The Scottish Economy, authored by SAHA co-chair Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE here
The interactive world map of Burns Suppers is available here
