He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death he became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world. Celebration of his life and work became almost a national charismatic cult during the 19th and 20th centuries, and his influence has long been strong on Scottish literature. In 2009 he was chosen as the greatest Scot by the Scottish public in a vote run by Scottish television channel STV.

As well as making original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them. His poem (and song) "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and "Scots Wha Hae" served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Other poems and songs of Burns that remain well known across the world today include "A Red, Red Rose", "A Man's a Man for A' That", "To a Louse", "To a Mouse", "The Battle of Sherramuir", "Tam o' Shanter" and "Ae Fond Kiss".

Of course, for many people, the mere mention of this style of music usually means one thing – the bagpipes. However, while this iconic instrument does play a major role in Scottish traditional music, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

For example, did you know that the earliest mention of the bagpipes in Scotland can be traced as far back as the 15^th century? But – as impressive as that legacy is – traditional music and instruments existed many centuries before this. Sure, it may be more than 600 years old, but the bagpipe is still a relative newcomer on the Scottish music scene!

On the Isle of Skye, evidence of a stringed instrument called a lyre was found that dates as far back as 2300 BCE – making it the oldest surviving stringed instrument in all of Europe. On top of this, stone carvings from the Pictish period (around 700-900 AD) also depict people playing harp-type instruments.

It’s fair to say that music has always been an integral part of Scottish culture. Going back as far as the medieval period, one of the most important roles throughout Scottish communities was an individual known as the bard. Bards relied on a strong oral tradition and acted primarily as the community’s musician, poet and storyteller. However, they were also known to fulfil the role of local historian and at times even the lawyer.

More often than not, these multi-talented individuals were funded by a local patron – usually a monarch or nobleman – and amongst their main duties was the job of writing songs that commemorated their employer.

Over time, the tradition of the bard began to fall out of favour, but the cultural significance of their role remained. Because of this, the term bard has come to take on a new meaning in the modern period – being used as a term of recognition for famous authors or poets. It’s for this reason that Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, is commonly referred to as ‘The Bard’.

The legacy of Robert Burns is incredibly impressive reaching far and wide across the globe and into the consciousness of some of the world's most well-known people. Check out these 20 fascinating facts about our very own Ploughman Bard. 

An impressive stat(ue)
After Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus, Robert Burns has more statues dedicated to him around the world than any other non-religious figure.

This ain't no phony fact
J.D. Salinger’s 1951 novel, 'The Catcher in the Rye' based its title on the Robert Burns poem, 'Comin’ Thro’ the Rye'.

More than a poet
Although best known as a poet, Burns actually wrote and collected almost double the amount of songs than poems.

Wee, sleekit Steinbeck
John Steinbeck’s classic 1937 novel, 'Of Mice and Men' took its name from a line in the Burns poem To a Mouse – “The best laid schemes o’ mice an men / Gang aft agley”.

For a' that and a' that
'Is There For Honest Poverty' (also known as 'A Man’s a Man for a’ That') was chosen to open the new Scottish Parliament in 1999 due to its themes of equality and universal brotherhood.

Should auld acquaintance be...recorded
'Auld Lang Syne' is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the top three most popular songs in the entire English language.

Haud yer wheesht!
Glasgow’s Mitchell Library is believed to house the world’s largest Burns collection, including translations of the poet’s work into more than 30 languages.

Praise on a Presidential level
American President, Abraham Lincoln, had a lifelong admiration for the work of Robert Burns, with some claiming that the poet’s work had a key role in helping Lincoln win the American Civil War and abolish slavery.

Life is like a box of...poems
The work of Robert Burns has appeared in hundreds of films and TV programmes, including Hollywood classics like 'It’s a Wonderful Life' (1946), 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989) and 'Forrest Gump' (1994).

Big head...big brain...
Burns’ body was exhumed in 1815 to be placed in a new mausoleum in the town of Dumfries. During this process, a plaster cast of his skull was taken for study, which was found to be larger than the average man’s skull.