Hundreds queue to see Robert Burns manuscript as Bard's birth celebrated

The text of Ae Fond Kiss, one of the poet's best known songs, went on display in Glasgow for two hours only due to the need to restrict the amount of time the 225-year-old document is exposed to light.

It was on show at the National Library of Scotland premises in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall.

 Photo credit: Colin Mearns

Burns wrote the song in December 1791 as his love Agnes McLehose prepared to depart for Jamaica to attempt a reconciliation with her husband.

Elsewhere in Scotland, a newly-restored monument of Burns was unveiled in Dalkeith, Midlothian, where the poet visited in 1787 with the artist Alexander Nasmyth.

The Victorian cast iron fountain was installed on Dalkeith High Street in 1899 to mark the centenary of the poet's death, but it was moved to several locations and the bowl, cherub and the lantern on the top were lost over time.

The monument underwent a £145,000 restoration following a Facebook campaign launched by Derek Hanlon, and it has now been unveiled in its new location outside the former Cross Keys Hotel and Tolbooth.

 Photo credit: Colin Mearns

Mr Hanlon, who now lives in Middlesbrough, said: "My Facebook campaign has connected me with Burns, with Dalkeith's history, and with over 400 individuals, organisations and businesses who have shown support for the campaign.

"I thank them all for their support over the last four years."

Special events are taking place around the country to mark the birth of Burns on January 25, 1759 in Alloway, South Ayrshire.

In London, a video showing Armed Forces personnel and diplomatic staff across the world reciting the renowned Burns poem Address To A Haggis is being launched at a reception at Lancaster House.

The event is being hosted by Scottish Secretary David Mundell and Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon attended an international Burns Night event in the Corn Exchange Edinburgh on Tuesday night, alongside more than 350 students, dignitaries and university staff from 72 countries.

Burns Night celebrations are not confined to January 25, with events taking place throughout the week.

The Red Red Rose Street festival in Edinburgh is a new week-long celebration of the poet's connections with the Scottish capital, encouraging visitors to follow a literary trail along Rose Street.

The 10-day Big Burns Supper festival in Dumfries and Galloway, dubbed the ''world's biggest Burns Night celebration" features music, theatre, comedy and a range of other events.

In Alloway, a special programme of events is taking place around Burns Cottage and surrounding landmarks as part of the Alloway 1759 celebrations.

The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award will be announced in Alloway on Sunday, recognising courage, commitment, inspiration and hands-on humanitarian efforts from people of any nationality, race, age or gender.

Murdered MP Jo Cox; Marcelline Budza, a young Congolese woman working to empower women; and Margaret Simpson, who has helped change lives for disabled people in the Scottish Borders, are all in the running for this year's award.