Edinburgh festival celebrating Robert Burns pulled due to 'lack of funding'

The festival included a massive ceilidh, museum lates, Burns supper events and more
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


An Edinburgh festival celebrating beloved poet Robert Burns has been scrapped due to funding issues.

Burns and Beyond took over the city for days of dancing, music, poetry and food surrounding The Bard. Unique Events, the firm behind the events, have pulled the festival after they were unable to secure backing.

Events included a Burns Night ceilidh at the National Museum of Scotland, a Burns Night murder mystery dinner, Burns supper and ceilidh, and live gigs across the city.

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Burns and Beyond first launched in 2019. Organisers have said they hope to return the event in 2026.

Posting to social media, Burns and Beyond said: "We're sad to report that Burns and Beyond are unable to present a live events programme this year, but we hope to return in 2026 to celebrate the life and legacy of Robert Burns with more spectacular live music, poetry, family ceilidhs and art installations which have been enjoyed by so many in recent years.

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"Whilst we won't be presenting our programme of events, there are amazing Burns Night celebrations taking place throughout Edinburgh later this month, and you can find many of these listed on our website below. Check-out what is taking place in the city and make sure you join the Burns Night celebrations. Have a great Burns Night when it comes!"

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Speaking to The Times, they added: "Since the inaugural event, we have presented some of Scotland’s leading musicians, singer-songwriters and poets to perform at our celebration of The Bard.

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"We will continue discussions with funding partners and hope to return to a live events programme next year."

A Scottish Government spokesperson told The Times: "As set out in our programme for government, we intend to review the way the culture sector is supported, and ensure the £34million increase for culture in the draft 2025-26 budget delivers for Scotland.

"Events across Scotland can still apply for support from EventScotland and Creative Scotland, but ministers have no role in funding decisions around individual events."

Unique Events and The Scottish Government have been approached for comment.