Burns treasures make way to the city

TREASURES from the National Burns Collection are to go on show in the Capital as part of the Homecoming Celebrations.

The artefacts, including manuscripts, printed material and artworks, are being brought together by the National Library of Scotland for a preview of the exhibition, Zig-Zag: the Paths of Robert Burns. Heralding Homecoming Scotland 2009 and the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth, the event will go on to tour next year and will include such items as manuscripts of Auld Lang Syne and Tam O'Shanter, as well as a first edition of Burns' first published work.

The exhibition explores his life thematically, looking at Burns' relationships with women and with the religious, political and social establishment, as well as his travels around Scotland and, of course, his work both as a poet and a collector of songs.

The exhibition opens at the National Library of Scotland from Friday, November 7, and will run until February 1, 2009.