Scotland Takes Burns Night Festivities Online

Homecoming Scotland may have ended but, on Monday, Scotland is inviting people across the world to don their kilts and enjoy a Highland fling with friends at the world's first online 'Worldwide Ceilidh.'

The Worldwide Ceilidh coincides with the annual Burns' Supper celebrations as they take place across the globe. The life and work of Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns, is traditionally celebrated each year on January 25, and involves a festive gathering of haggis, whisky, poetry and—of course—tartans.

This year, the party is going online. People all over the world can join the Worldwide Ceilidh at www.scotland.org/ceilidh. Here they can get a virtual Scottish makeover by kitting themselves out in a kilt and sporran and dancing a Scottish ceilidh reel with their partner. Everyone taking part can invite their friends and family to join in.

The official gateway site to Scotland, Scotland.org, includes a wealth of information to help people worldwide celebrate all things Scottish and celebrate Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. The website provides information on Burns and Burns Night, including tips on how to host a Burns' Supper.

This fall, the National Trust for Scotland's new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will open in Alloway, Ayrshire. The new museum will contain hundreds of Burns' artefacts, many never seen in public before. The museum is part of the Burns' National Heritage Park, which includes the cottage where Burns was born, Tam O'Shanter's haunted 'Auld Kirk' and Brig O'Doon bridge.