h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, speaking as a lad brought up in Ayrshire, I have never been to a Burns supper in me puff. However, here is some stuff I do know.
Robert (Rabbie) Burns, born the son of a farmer in Alloway (the cottage is now a tourist attraction, not far from the Kirk and Brig mentioned in Tam O'Shanter)he was quite a racy lad, dallying with the ladies and writing poems, rather than keeping a farm going and a roof over his head. His first book of poems was published in Kilmarnock in I can't remember when and was very popular with the Edinburgh gentry. If it had failed he had planned to emigrate to Jamiaca. Most of his songs are actually ones he heard in local pubs, but he was the first to write them down.

Due to his revolutionary politics at the time of the French revolution his Lordly supporters tried to prove his loyalty to the crown by making him join the local defence force (can't remember the name). He eventually died due to bad living conditions in Dumfries. I believe the first Burns Night was held ten years (ish) later in Tarbolton, Ayrshire, of which Burns himself said;
"I've been tearin' oot ma hair,
Ye' think ah'd been moultin.
Trying tae think o a word,
That rhymes wie Tarbolton"

I'll try and look up more later maybe

Oh, and if yer waantin onyhing aboot the leid, jist caw, ken.