Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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I am performing a show called 'Burns Banter - Your Bard' at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It is all about the darker side of Robert Burns, with drinking songs and poems you probably haven't heard before.

In this episode I tell you about the show and play a couple of clips from a recent warm up gig I played in a local pub.

I'm playing at 'The Three Sisters - Live Room' from the 18th - 24th August 2025. Show starts at 1.45pm and lasts for one hour. Even if you can't make it to the show please buy a ticket to support me, as i have put out a lot of money to do the show and probably won't earn it all back. You can get these online at the Edinburgh Fringe Box Office - just type in Burns Banter - Your Bard and buy the ticket.

I hope to se you there!

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode we look at the last few years of Robert Burns life, his death., and what happened after that. Where did he die? What caused his death? . We look at what was happening in his personal life, is he is he happy? is his work as an excise officer going well? We look at the last poems and songs he wrote and collected, were any of them of note? We also look at what happened in the days and months after his death. If you want to find out about the life and death of Robert Burns, then listen to this, last episode, of Burns Banter, series two.

Don't worry series three, which will be more informal, is on the way. I'll be interviewing people about their connection to Burns, singing songs, telling stories..

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode Robert leaves Ellisland farm and moves to Dumfries. We look at his work as an excise officer and a famous incident involving Robert attacking a smugglers Schooner on the Solway Firth. I also look at Roberts visit to Edinburgh to see two women, for very different reasons. We also talk about a man called George Thomson and the influence he had on Robert. There is lots going on in this episode, dive right in and enjoy!

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode Robert has moved from Edinburgh To Ellisland Farm, which is by the banks of the river Nith, about 6 and a half miles north of Dumfries. He has become a farmer again, as well as an Excise Officer.

How does he do this? it is two FULL TIME occupations. As well as working he is socialising, writing poetry and contributing songs to 'The Scots Musical Museum'. How much energy can one man have?!!!

Find out which songs and poems he wrote here, what trouble he got himself into and where he goes next....

P.S. I made one HUGE omission from this episode. I should have mentioned that he worked on the song 'Auld Lang Syne' here...

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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What does Robert Do after the the fame of being a great Poet in Edinburgh and touring around Scotland?

He has to make some big decisions about his future. In this episode of Burns Banter I look at five things that influence his decisions. They are James Johnson, The Excise, a farm called Ellisland, Agnes Maclehose and Jean Armour.

This is a confusing time for Robert and not all of his decisions are good ones. Listen to this podcast and learn more about the direction Robert goes. We look at the career he chooses, passions he indulges in and where he starts to settle down.

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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It is 1787, Robert Burns has published the second edition of his poems, now known as 'The Edinburgh Edition'. He has sold the rights to all of his poems to William Creech and he needs to write some more....

What does he do?

He goes on tour around Scotland to get inspiration for new poems and songs. He also wants to introduce himself to the great and good people of Scotland. The Dukes and Duchesses, the captains of industry and the just plain wealthy. He does this as he wants them to buy his books but he also wants to become friends with them, as they can greatly improve his future prospects.

He also has a few adventures along the way. Find out more in this weeks episode of 'Burns Banter'.

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode I talk about Robert Burns journey to Edinburgh to produce a second volume of his book 'Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. I also talk about the reception he received when he arrived in Edinburgh, how he published the book, the people he met and other things he did in his time there.

This is Robert at the hight of his poetical fame, meeting the great and good of Scottish society. Earning money, creating friendships, enjoying life to the full. This is the period in Roberts life that most people talk about and associate him with, i.e. this is one of the few the really good times in Roberts life.

How long does it last? Find out in next weeks episode....

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this Episode I talk about my up coming shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Yes, I'm taking Burns Banter to Edinburgh and will be performing upstairs in The Pear Tree. The venue is called The Counting House and the room is called The Attic. I'm on from the 16th to the 25th, (not the 24th), 10.30am till 11.30am each day. The show is called 'Burns Banter Live' and is basically an hour long episode of this podcast with extra stories, songs, quizzes and even a few jokes. Yes, jokes about Robert Burns - I'd love to see you there! It's a free show, you can't book tickets, just turn up early on the day as its first come first served. I can't wait!!

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode we look at how, why and when Robert published his book, Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. We look at the problems he had to overcome before John Wilson agreed to publish the book. We look at the poems and songs  in the book, such as, Twa Dogs, A Tale - The Cotters Saturday Night, To a mouse and Composed in August. We see how the public reaction to the book affected him and the direction his life was taking. Specifically we look at his decision not to go to Jamacia and the reasons why he stayed in Scotland. We end the episode by reciting the poem Composed in August, also known as Now Westlin Winds and Slaughtering Guns.

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

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In this episode we look briefly at Robert's father, William - Then a Farm called Mossgiel - Roberts turbulent private life and a book called 'Poem Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. This is a wild and unpredictable time in Roberts life, (roughly 1784 - 1786). His father passes away in 1784, they need to move to a new farm, Mossgiel, and as Robert is the eldest son, he is now the head of the family. This responsibility does not sit well on his shoulders and he needs a lot of help from his brother Gilbert. At this point in his life he is very interested in women and we talk about four in particular. Elizabeth Paton, Helen Miller, Jean Armour and Mary Campbell, (Known as 'Highland Mary' - even although her real name was actually Margret!). Robert is now in a bit of trouble and decides to emigrate to Jamaica...

Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns