The National Trust for Scotland is set to host their Burns Big Night In, streaming live from the Bard’s cottage, and you’re all invited to join the party.

After the huge success of their first virtual Burns supper in 2021, the conservation charity will once again celebrate the life of Robert Burns with an evening of music, song, poetry, whisky and some great Scottish banter.

Join the party on Saturday, January 22, as we tak’ a cup o’ kindness in the company of friends.

Edith Bowman will present the event which will feature a wealth of Scottish-based talent mixed with some more traditional Burns elements.

The National Trust for Scotland is the conservation charity that protects so much of what makes Scotland special.

From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wildernesses, the charity brings Scotland’s stories to people at home or far away, in real life or virtually.

Burns Cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire is one of the treasures looked after by the National Trust for Scotland and maintained for future generations to visit and enjoy.

The humble thatched cottage was the birthplace of Scotland’s national poet on January 25, 1759.

Burns Cottage

Now, more than 250 years later, it will become the venue once again for an extraordinary night of music and entertainment as we raise a toast to Scotland's Bard while raising money for the charity that safeguards his legacy.

Edith said: “I am so pleased to be heading back to Alloway for an even bigger and better Burns Big Night In for 2022. It’s really exciting to be able to offer Burns fans from all over the globe the chance to connect with the birthplace of the Bard, and to add their performance to proceedings for this special celebration.”

Help Edith Bowman recite To A Mouse

Members of the public are being asked to take part in a performance for the Burns Big Night In by submitting videos of themselves reciting To A Mouse, one of Burns' most famous poems.

A selection of recordings will be edited together into a video to be shown on the night to an audience of Burns fans from around the world.

Edith Bowman has started the ball rolling, recording the opening lines:

“Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim’rous beastie,

“O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!”

To A Mouse videos should be submitted as landscape MP4s to bbni@luxevents.co.uk by Wednesday 12 January.

The full text of the poem is available to download at https://burnsbignightin.org/

Highlights of the show will include live music from acclaimed folk singer Siobhan Miller , a cocktail masterclass courtesy of whisky brand The Glenlivet, plus some exclusive insights into the life of Scotland’s national Bard from leading experts.

Scottish folk singer Siobhan Miller

You can also expect some very special guests who have brought Burns works into the 21 st century, including Scottish-Algerian poet Janette Ayachi , musician Laurie Cameron , writer Michael Pedersen and Jenny Lindsay , who is one of Scotland’s best known spoken word performers.

Poet Janette Ayachi will perform at the Burns Big Night In

There will be music from Nevis Ensemble and Nae Plans , described as a daredevil, off-the-cuff folk show featuring two Scottish folk musicians of the highest calibre.

Caroline Smith, National Trust for Scotland Operations Manager at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum said: “Burns remains so important to Scotland’s heritage, culture and identity, even as we prepare to mark his 263 rd birthday. As the place where Burns was born and spent his early years, we know not only that it shaped who he was as an artist, but that he loved it – the landscape, the people, the folklore. The National Trust for Scotland is proud to play its part in protecting this place which is of such importance to our national Bard and all who love and admire him, all over the world.”

Get your Box of Braw

Set yourself up for the Burns Big Night In with a ‘Box of Braw’ for two. Filled with treats and a nip or two to set your evening off, courtesy of some of Scotland’s most iconic brands including The Glenlivet, Mackie’s of Scotland, Tunnock’s and Mrs Tilly’s.

These limited-edition boxes sold out last year so make sure you snap one up early while stocks last.

Book your tickets for the virtual event now at www.burnsbignightin.org and show you support for the National Trust for Scotland and help them protect the places we all love by becoming a member at www.nts.org.uk