Poet Robert Burns, Part 1 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Selkirk Grace

'The Selkirk Grace' is a short Scottish prayer said before meals to give thanks for the food which is about to be eaten. It's often linked to Robert Burns, though he didn't actually write it. The verse was already well known in Scotland, but Burns helped make it famous when he used it at a dinner with the Earl of Selkirk in the late 1700s.

Originally known as the 'Galloway Grace' or the 'Covenanters' Grace',
the prayer itself is older. It was passed down through tradition, and valued for its plain and heartfelt style. What Burns did was give it a bigger stage by using it at formal gatherings, turning it into something strongly tied to Scottish identity and pride.

Answer: To learn the flax business

In 1781, Burns went to the coastal town of Irvine to learn the flax-dressing trade. He hoped it would give him a steadier living than farming, since linen was in high demand. The plan was practical and ambitious, offering the chance of a more secure future.

But the venture ended quickly when a fire destroyed the workshop. Burns gave up on the trade. However, his time in Irvine wasn't wasted. The people he met and the ideas he encountered there helped broaden his outlook and added to the voice that later shaped his poetry.

Answer: Dumfries

Burns spent his final years in Dumfries, moving there in 1791. He lived in a modest home on Mill Street (now Burns Street), today kept as a museum. Though his health was failing, he continued to write, collect songs, and serve as an exciseman.

Dumfries became both his last home and his resting place. It was here that he produced some of his most thoughtful work and became woven into the life of the town. The house still stands as a tribute to the poet in the place where his life drew to a close.

Answer: To a Louse

The famous line, 'O wad some Pow'r the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us', comes from Robert Burns's 1786 poem 'To a Louse'. In it, Burns describes spotting a louse crawling on the bonnet of a well-dressed lady during church. He begins with comic disgust at the insect's boldness, mocking the idea that fine clothes or social standing can keep nature at bay.

By the final stanza, the humour turns thoughtful. He suggests that if we had the gift to see ourselves as others see us, we would be spared much vanity and foolishness. It's a sharp blend of satire and wisdom, classic Burns, finding universal truth in the smallest of moments.

Answer: Hugh Montgomerie

In his satirical poem 'The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer' (1786), Burns appeals to Scottish MPs to oppose heavy new taxes on whisky and ale. Among the figures he names is 'sodger Hugh' (soldier Hugh) a reference to Hugh Montgomerie, a soldier and politician who later became the 12th Earl of Eglinton. The nickname points to Montgomerie's military career, which gave him a reputation for strength and patriotism.

By calling on 'sodger Hugh', he playfully suggests that Scotland needs representatives with the same fighting spirit in Parliament as on the battlefield. Montgomerie becomes a symbol of the kind of boldness Burns hoped MPs would show in defending their country's interests against unfair taxation.

Answer: Mossgiel Farm

Burns was farming at Mossgiel Farm near Mauchline in East Ayrshire when he famously turned up a mouse's nest while ploughing in 1785. He and his brother had taken the lease after their father's death. It became one of his most creative periods. Many of his best-known poems, including 'To a Mouse', were written there.

The encounter with the mouse sparked one of his most moving reflections on the uncertainty of life and the shared struggles of man and nature. That 'wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie' came to stand for vulnerability itself, making Mossgiel the setting for some of his deepest and most lasting insights.

Answer: 612

Robert Burns' first collection of poetry, 'The Kilmarnock Edition', was published in 1786 by John Wilson in the town of Kilmarnock. Only 612 copies were printed, funded by subscribers who believed in his talent. Despite the small run, it introduced readers to Burns's sharp wit, emotional depth, and skill in the Scots language.

The book marked the start of Burns' rise from farmer to celebrated poet. Its success helped him gain attention in literary circles and set the stage for his later fame. Today, surviving copies are rare treasures, reminders of the moment Scotland's national poet first appeared in print.

Answer: Gilbert

Gilbert Burns, the younger brother of Robert, was a steady and practical counterpoint to the poet's fiery brilliance. Born in 1760, Gilbert shared the hardships of rural life with Robert, working alongside him on the family farm in Ayrshire. Though not a poet himself, Gilbert had a keen intellect and a deep appreciation for literature, often helping Robert with the business side of publishing and offering thoughtful feedback on his verses.

After Robert died in 1796, Gilbert became a guardian of his brother's legacy. He wrote detailed recollections that have helped historians piece together Robert's early life and character, offering glimpses of the poet's humour, struggles, and contradictions. Married to Jean Breckenridge, he later worked as a factor on the Lennoxlove estate near Haddington, raising a large family. He died at the age of 66 in 1827.

Answer: Tarbolton

In 1780, Burns helped start the Bachelors' Club in the Ayrshire town of Tarbolton. It was a club for young men to meet, debate ideas, and enjoy lively conversation. Burns, his brother Gilbert, and several friends set it up in a modest house where they could gather, socialise and even learn to dance.

The club was more than just a social spot. It gave Burns a chance to practice public speaking, test his ideas, and gain confidence. These experiences helped shape his voice as a poet long before he became famous.

Answer: Caesar

In Robert Burns' poem 'The Twa Dogs', Luath is a hardworking collie with a loyal heart, and his friend Caesar is a pampered dog belonging to a wealthy landowner. Luath speaks for the common people, while Caesar represents the upper class. Despite their differences, the two share a warm friendship and enjoy talking together.

Through their conversation, Burns explores class, privilege, and fairness. The dogs' dialogue is both funny and thoughtful, giving readers a clever way to think about human society and the gaps between rich and poor, all seen through the eyes of two very different dogs.