Today is the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's National Poet, and Scotland has just launched "Burnsong".

Funding confirmed for Burns songwriting project

One hundred thousand pounds is being made available to support a nationwide search for songs celebrating Robert Burns.

Launching "Burnsong", a project to encourage songwriting in Scotland, culture minister Patricia Ferguson said it was crucial to preserve the legacy of the bard. The new funding for the scheme will come from the Scottish Arts Council and EventScotland.

http://scotlandtoday.scottishtv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=6453

The Eminem of Enlightenment Scotland?

Even two centuries on, Burns's forthright way with words is enough to earn one of those "Parental Guidance" stickers more commonly found on rap and heavy metal albums. Robert Burns as the Eminem of Enlightenment Scotland? Well, he certainly had the same knack of annoying the moral majority, but alongside that is a joy for life and a concern for fellow humans and other creatures that keeps Burns in his exaulted position.

http://www.linnrecords.com/cd_information/album_review.asp?jsavailable=true&RecordingID=232

All things Burns:

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=162&page=4