Every year on January 25, people all around the UK dress their tartan, whip up some delicious haggis, and recite some poetry in honor of Robert Burns, Scotland's most beloved son.
But Burn's Night is more than simply an excuse to sing along to Auld Lang Syne and hoist a "wee dram" of whisky.
Who was Robert Burns and why do we commemorate his birth?
1. Robert Burns, who is usually recognised as Scotland's national poet, was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway. He has the third-highest number of statues honouring him worldwide, after only Christopher Columbus and Queen Victoria.
2. Charlene, Princess of Monaco, Alicia Keys, Etta James, and Virginia Woolf are among the prominent women who share Burns' birthdate.
3. Rabbie Burns continues to be adored and has sparked contemporary interpretations of his works. While John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" is thought to have been inspired by Robert Burns' poetry "To a mouse," J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel "Catcher in the Rye" is thought to have been based on the poem "Comin' Thro the Rye."
4. A tiny collection of Robert Burns poetry was transported into orbit by British-born astronaut Nicholas Patrick in 2010 during a two-week space mission. 217 Earth orbits have been accomplished by Burns' poetry.
5. One of Burns' most well-known compositions is "Auld Lang Syne," which is customarily sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. Auld Lang Syne is one of the three most popular songs in the English language, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, along with "Happy Birthday" and "For he's a jolly good man."
6. Burns' DNA was quite remarkable; his cranium was larger than the normal man's! After his body was unearthed in 1815 and a plaster cast of his skull was removed for analysis, the finding was made.
7. In 2009, Robert Burns was the first person to appear on a Coca-Cola commemorative bottle.
8. Are you trying to find the most extensive body of Burns' work? It can be found in Glasgow's Mitchell Library, which also has more than 30 other language translations of his works.
9. Robert Burns had a sizable family. With at least four separate women, he fathered at least 12 kids. Maxwell, his youngest child, was born the day after Burns' funeral.
10. Burns had a brief life; he passed away in 1796 at the age of only 37 from an undetermined cause. Most people believe he passed away from a blood infection after having a tooth extracted.
11. However, there is a more depressing aspect to one of Scotland's most famous figures beyond the Selkirk Grace. Robert Burns passed away with debts. While he earned £100 annually. He had an annual debt of £110 total. He had accumulated unmanageable debts in an effort to promote his writing, and when he tragically got sick and couldn't work on his farm, he was unable to pay his debts back.
According to Dr. Clark McGinn, who conducted research for a book on the poet, this indicates that his income was £7,676 annually, and his total debt was £8,443 annually, owing to 6 creditors.
Debt issues can impact anyone - Robert Burns Debt Cause
Sadly, if Robert Burns dreamed of life after debt, this dream would have never come true.
In fact, it was reported that he had to borrow money from family friends even as he lay dying to pay off a tailor who had been bugging him about the cost of a military uniform.
Like many other great artists, he never had full recognition for his work while he was still alive, and as a result, he never collected royalties.
Robert Burns tale is similar to many modern Scottish businesses, where a loss of income caused by a period of low cash flow due to unpaid invoices resulted in an unmanageable debt amount.
Indeed, XFS limited over the years have been servicing business that is struggling with overdue payment collection and unpaid bills.
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Robert Burns Debt Legacy
There’s a tragic irony that for a man with so little wealth to his name whilst still alive, his face would be used upon our Scottish banknotes as a modern tribute and that the Clydesdale Bank would use the quote ‘I’ve seen the Oppressor’s cruise smile amid his hapless victim’s spoil‘.
Its perhaps fitting that in one of Burn’s most famous poetry works, To a Mouse, he wrote:
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft a-gley, An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain For promis’d joy.”
Whether you celebrate Burns Night or not, there’s something in this line that we can all relate to.
If you are finding that you’re worried and stressed over your unpaid invoices, it can be hugely uplifting to take the first step of seeking help.
Write to us at info@xcelfinancialsolutions.co.uk
Call us on 0141 483 3345
Speak with XFS experts to get started with your debt recovery process and save your cash flow.