Out of Doors

Original version

BBC Radio Shetland

Factual: Science & Nature

BBC Radio Scotland FM

BBC Radio Orkney

BBC Radio Scotland Extra

Out of Doors: A Robert Burns Special

A Robert Burns Special

BBC Radio Scotland - Out of Doors, A Robert Burns Special

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with a tribute to our national bard.

Join Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith for a programme looking at Robert Burns the farmer and nature lover.

Euan and Mark speak to Des Thompson, one of the specialist advisors to the Grouse Moor Review Group about the group’s report and what the licensing of grouse moors might practically involve. 

As we gear up to the opening of the River Dee for salmon fishing Euan hears about plans for the celebrations to mark the event.

What we plant in our gardens can impact the wildlife that makes its home.  Euan finds out about the types of wildflowers we should be growing to encourage insects and birdlife. 

And as Saturday marks Burns Night Mark and Euan investigate what goes in to making the ‘Great chieftain o the puddin'-race’ with Dumfries butcher Stuart Houston.

And after 7 o’clock we focus entirely on Robert Burns and in particularly his time in the Dumfries area.  

In 1788 Burns moved to Ellisland Farm and built a house that he stayed in until 1791.  Mark and Euan take a look around and hear about what Ellisland would have been like in Burns’ day and which of his poems and songs were composed there.  

Burns was keen on nature and wrote a lot about the wildlife he encountered while farming at Ellisland.  Chris Rollie is an ornithologist, conservationist and Burns enthusiast who tells us all about Burns and his connection with nature. 

The Globe Inn in Dumfries was a favourite haunt of Burns during his time at Ellisland and afterwards when he moved to the town.  Mark and Euan get a tour from former landlady Maureen McKerrow whose family have a long connection with the pub.

And we end our programme at the Burns mausoleum in Dumfries, the resting place of the poet and his wife Jean Armour.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Out of Doors

A Robert Burns Special

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio Shetland

About BBC Radio Scotland