We are celebrating all things Scottish for Burns Night marking the birthday of Robert Burns (1759 – 1796). Burns, known as Scotland’s national poet, was a prodigious writer of not only poems but folk songs too. His most well-known works include: ‘A Red, Red Rose’; ‘Tam O’Shanter’; ‘To A Mouse’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

BBC Springwatch presenter Simon King spent a year in the Shetland Isles with his family. His wildlife observations are recorded in Shetland Diaries: Otters, Orcas, Puffins and Wonderful People (Catalogue no: 8764). Keeping with the outdoor theme, Wilderness Walks (5116) details 12 routes across some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside.

If you enjoy biographies, Margaret Fay Shaw’s life in South Uist and her love of Gaelic culture is described in From the Alleghenies to the Hebrides: An Autobiography (8749). Another famous Scot who provokes a lot of passion(especially if you are Manchester City supporter) is Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. In Managing My Life: My Autobiography (5748) he reveals the secret of managing one of the world’s most famous football clubs. 

Carol Ann Duffy, who was born in Glasgow is one of our leading contemporary poets.We have a number of her works in the library including Feminine Gospels (8431) and The World’s Wife (5765).