By Carrie Sanderson enero 16, 2020

Where's Rabbie?

On the 25th of January each year millions of Scots and people of Scottish descent get together across the world to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns. Here at ScotlandShop, we thought that it would be a great idea to pay respect to Scotland's national poet by running a Burns themed competition. Across the globe there are over 57 statues and busts (which you can find with the help of our handy map) dedicated to Robert Burns, and we invite you to join in the fun to see who can get the best photo with the world's most famous Scot.

All you have to do to enter is take a photo with one of the 57 Burns statues in the world and upload it to your social media tagging us with @ScotlandShop and the #wheresrabbie. You could be in with a chance of winning a Burns Check Modern Brushed Wool Tartan Scarf and an Oversize Celtic Knot Brooch! The competition is open until 12pm (GMT) on Friday the 31st of January, wherein the entries will be judged and the winner notified. We are really looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful entries. Good Luck!

In today's blog, we will continue to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns by exploring the story behind a few of the 57 Robert Burns statues scattered across the world, following in the footsteps of the Scots who built them many years ago.

Ayr, Scotland

The Robert Burns statue in Ayr can be found in the town centre in the aptly name Burns Statue Square. The statue was created by London based sculptor George Anderson Lawson, and was unveiled on the 8th of July 1891. Replicas of this Burns statue can be found across the globe in Melbourne, Detroit, Vancouver, Montreal and Winnipeg. After visiting the statue why not pop into one of the nearby Robert Burns themed pubs for a dram, notably, "Rabbie's Bar" or "The Tam O'Shanter Inn"?

Robert Burns Statue Ayr Ayr, Scotland

Stirling, Scotland

Stirling is one of only three towns worldwide to host two statues of the famous Scottish poet. The first statue is housed in The National Wallace Monument and was sculpted by David Watson Stevenson. It was donated by another famous Scot, Andrew Carnegie, in 1886.

Stirling's other Burns statue can be found between the old and new town, on a triangular plot of land between Corn Exchange Road and Albert Place. The statue was sculpted by Glasgow born, London based, Albert Hemstock Hodge and unveiled in 1914. It is widely considered to be one of the most accurate representations of Burns. When visiting the statue, why not explore the near by Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum to find out more about the famous poet's adventures in Stirling?

Robert Burns Statue Stirling Robert Burns Statue - Stirling, Scotland

Camperdown, Australia

The Camperdown Burns statue, housed in the town's Civic Centre, is thought to the oldest full standing statue of Burns and the first in the Southern Hemisphere. The statue was based upon a portrait of Burns, painted by Peter Taylor in 1786, and carved by John Greenshieldsin 1830. It was brought to Australia with a Scottish family who had emigrated to Victoria in the 1850s. The statue was presented to the town in 1885 and stood in the town's Bontanic Gardens for over 125 years, before being relocated to the Camperdown Civic Centre following damage to the monument.

Robert Burns Statue Camperdown Robert Burns Statue - Camperdown, Australia

Vancouver, Canada

The Robert Burns statue, situated in Stanley Park, was the first ever statue to be erected in the city of Vancouver. The statue is a replica of the one found in Ayr, sculpted by George Anderson Lawson, and was unveiled on the 25th of August 1928. The statue in Stanley Park was the conception of Vancouver's Burns Fellowship who alongside the city's Scottish Orchestra and Choir raised the necessary funds to have the statue erected.

Robert Burns Statue Vancouver Robert Burns Statue - Vancouver, Canada

Dunedin, New Zealand

The Robert Burns statue in Dunedin is one of the four famous Steell statues, with the others being found in Dundee, New York and London. The statue is situated in the city's central plaza, The Octagon, and was unveiled on the 24th of May, 1887; by Robert Burns', great-grand niece. This statue is held in high regard by the city's residents, as it was founded by the 'Free Church of Scotland' and one of its founding fathers, Rev. Thomas Burns, was the nephew of the poet. When visiting the statue why not explore the nearby Dunedin Public Art Gallery, where you can see the painting 'The Meeting of Burns and Scott'; which illustrates a conversation between two of the most famous Scots?

Robert Burns Statue Dunedin Robert Burns Statue - Dunedin, New Zealand

New York City, United States of America

This statue of Burns is situated in New York City's famous Central Park, and was the first Burns statue to be erected outside of Scotland. The statue was the first of four created by Sir John Steell, and was unveiled to the City of New York on the 2nd of October 1880. It was a gift to the city from the Saint Andrews Society of the State of New York and the Scottish-American community to the city, and stands as a reminder of the strong bond between the two nations. The American-Scottish connection is seen throughout New York City today, with a host annual events, namely Burns Supper's organised by the American Scottish Foundation and the New York Caledonian Club; and New York City Tartan Week.

Robert Burns Statue New York City Robert Burns Statue - New York City

Tallinn, Estonia

This is perhaps the most obscure Robert Burns statue in the world, located in the Šoti Klubi(Scottish Club) within the Leib Restaurant in Estonia's capital city. The Šoti Klubi is also home to the statue of another famous Scot, Sean Connery. Why not pop into the Leib Restaurant for some delicious food and find out more about the Scottish Club of Tallinn?

Robert Burns Statue Estonia Robert Burns Statue - Tallinn, Estonia

Many thanks for taking the time to find out more about some of the Robert Burns statues from around the world. We would like to wish everyone the best of luck in our competition, and look forward to seeing all the amazing entries.