Zig-Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns

Celebrating Homecoming Scotland 2009 and the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth, this major touring exhibition uncovers the myth behind the man widely regarded as Scotland's 'national bard'.

‘Zig-Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns’ brings together treasures from the National Burns Collections and features iconic items such as manuscripts of 'Auld Lang Syne' and 'Tam O'Shanter' and a rare first edition of Burns' first published work. The exhibition examines Burns’ work and the legend that he became using pictures, sound and his own words to show how he consciously began to create his own myth.

The title ‘Zig-Zag: The Paths of Robert Burns’ comes from Burns' famous autobiographical letter of 1787. In it he explores the course of his life, insightfully observing that "...keen sensibility and riotous passion may still make him zig-zag in his future path of life."

The exhibition looks at all the contrasts in Burns’ life including the recurrent themes and how they shaped him. His complex relationships with women, and with the religious, political and social establishment that existed in his day are also explored as is the massive influence of his work, both as a poet and also a collector of song.

‘Zig-Zag’ is designed to show how Burns lived his life, his influence and his legacy and features manuscripts, printed materials, artworks, and museum artefacts, many of which have been sourced from a wide range of institutions, alongside interactive features such as a computer animated Burns.

Materials have been brought together from the collections of the National Library of Scotland, from the National Galleries of Scotland, from Dumfries Museums, from East Ayrshire Museums and from Burns National Heritage Park.

For further information, visit http://zigzag.nls.uk/