Today is the day that Scottish people around the world gather to celebrate one of their most famous sons.
Jan. 25 is Robert Burns Day, known in Scotland as “Rabbie” Burns and in North America as “Robbie.”
The date marks the birth in 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire of Burns, who was a farmer and taxman but became – after his death in 1796 – a world-famous poet, best known for “Auld Lang Syne.”
A traditional “Burns Night” – which is often celebrated in B.C. and Canada – would see participants wear Scots Highland dress, dance to a ceilidh band, drink whisky and maybe eat haggis (a ceremonial meat dish).
To test our readers' knowledge, or lack thereof, of Burns, we kicked off a fun poll this week, asking people if they knew who he was.
Thankfully, the vast majority, so far, are getting it right.
But there are a few who think Burns was a hockey player, and even some who thought he was the inventor of the aforementioned haggis.
