Robert Burns 1759-1796

Tonight we will celebrate Robert Burns our tribute to the Bard

Robert Burns was a famous scotch poet whose birthday will be celebrated around the world today.

A Scottish traditional Burns supper will include the Haggis; traditionally the Haggis would be piped in by a Scottish bagpipe player and served with Neeps (turnips) and Tatties (potatoes).

Robert Burns believed that once you have eaten the haggis you have the strength to fight any foe.

During the course of the meal poems and love songs will be recited in our mother tongue beginning with Address to a Haggis.
Revellers will don their own tartans representing many different clans and plenty of whiskey will flow at the Ceilidhs in Scottish Tradition of course. Celebrations have been known to last until February.

Address to a Haggis

Verse 1

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ye tak your place
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang’s my arm

Burns poetry captures the essence of Scottish Culture and appeals to people of all nationalities.

In Russia, Burns night is often held in the Kremlin and broadcast to the Russian people via television.

The Russian people are extremely big admirers of Robert Burns and his work is taught in Russian schools, they claim to have an even bigger following than us fellow Scots, they had a commemorative stamp produced in his honour in 1956 before the Scottish stamp was issued.

In Australia and New Zealand revellers will be getting into the Scottish spirit by hosting celebrations in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Wellington to honour Burns.

Even the USA where towns have been named after him, big celebrations will be held to mark the occasion.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan praised Burns for his understanding of poverty which has relevance throughout the world today.

Robert was the eldest of seven children born on January the 25th 1759; Robert was born into poverty and lived a humble life in a small thatched cottage built by his father which is very popular with tourists today.

My parents took me to see the cottage when I was young and in turn I have taken my children and hopefully this tradition will continue when my children have family of their own.

Robert worked hard as a farmhand on his father’s farm and when his father died Robert and one of his brothers took over the running of the farm.

In his teen years 1774 Robert started writing and his first poem was called “O Once I loved” little did he realise then that he was going to be one of the greatest poets of all time.

His inspiration came from travelling across Beautiful Scotland.
The breathtaking scenery surrounding his birthplace Alloway in Ayrshire and throughout Scotland inspired him to write mountain daisy and many other well know pieces.

His first poems were published in 1786 and he earned the title of “Ploughman’s Poet”

Robert married Jean Armour in 1788 and they had nine children but only three survived into adult hood, it is claimed that he fathered a further four illegitimate children through a string of affairs.

Following the publication of a collection of poems written in Scottish Dialect Robert became even more famous and this collection of poems soon became one of the greatest collections ever written.

It is suggested that Robert Burns penned over 400 Folk Songs and hundreds of poems one of his most famous songs is Auld Lang Syne which is traditionally sung on Hogmanay the world over although not an original of Robert he did pen the third and fourth verse and it translates as “old long times” and is about keeping friends and remembering them and thinking of those closest to us.

Burns humanity continues to appeal to all nationalities as the man himself once said “Man to man, the world o’er, shall brithers be for a’ that.

Please feel free to let us know about your own celebrations or opinions Contact us

Scottish & Bulgarian Winter Pictures

Scottish & Bulgarian Winter Pictures

Season's Greetings from Bluefolds

Hi from Scotland!!!!!

Shades of white The cloud rolls in

Afternoon cloud makes visibility poor

Beautiful snow and mountains - Lecht ski resort Road to Bluefolds
Scottish ski Centres have seen the best snow for years.
The Cairingorms, the Lecht, Glenshee, Glencoe and the Nevis Range were all open to Skiers, snowboarders and even kids sledging this season.

Getting ready for sledging

Kids getting ready for sledging. Great!!!!!!!

Winter Sunrise from Folds Cottage

Scotland is host to some of the best scenery in the world but in winter it is just amazing.
Cold but amazing!!!!!

Packhorse Bridge over the River Livet Ben Rinnes Winter storm

Packhorse Bridge over the River Livet & Ben Rinnes Winter Storm

River Spey Scotland Winter Sunset River Spey Bluefolds winter sun

Scotland is beautiful at any time of the year and as I have said before it is very similar to Bulgaria.

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Bulgaria in Winter

Winter in the mountain, Bulgaria by Kremena

Hi from Bulgaria!!!!!


Joolz and Joe Bulgaria Skiing Feb 2007 (17)

Kids enjoying the ski slopes

Wintertime, Central Stara Planina, Bulgaria by Kremena 34.Unbelieveable beauty, Batak Reservoir, Bulgaria

Beautiful Bulgarian Mountains & Batak Reservoir Bulgaria

47.We're enjoying this spa treatment

Enjoying a hot mineral bath on a cold winters day, how wonderful!!!!!

Dawn at Pamporovo - 2

Pamporovo at Dawn.

Vratsa

And back to the ski slopes for some more fun in the snow!!!!!


Joolz and Joe Bulgaria Skiing Feb 2007 (31)


I would recommend both Scotland and Bulgaria for a superb winter vacation.

Don’t forget your winter woollies!!!!!!!!!

Bulgarian & Scottish Holidays from Bis-Perth



Bulgarian 4x4

Our clients choose to view a selection of properties in the mountains; they were viewing eight different Land plots not to far from Veliko Tarnovo.

They requested all mountainous areas, quite secluded and off the beaten track.

Boy were they shocked when they arrived in Bulgaria last week to find 10 cms of snow.

Our Bulgarian Office in Veliko Tarnovo had arranged for an ordinary car to take our clients around their properties of choice but we had to have a rethink due to the snow and location of the plots of land.

I have to say our clients looked very relieved when we arrived at their hotel in a 4x4!!!

Their review of the viewing trip was “an amazing adventure” which actually gave them an insight into just what the conditions would be if they were living there all year round and not just in the summer months, I though that this would have put them off slightly but to my amazement it did not deter them at all and they assured us that this is exactly what they were looking for.

So all of my fretting and worrying about our clients in the snow covered mountains was in fact unfounded, as I now have two really pleased clients who have found their ideal plot.

My advice to anyone venturing into the beautiful Bulgarian Mountains “HIRE a 4X4!!!”

Golden Sands Zlanti Pyasatsi

Black Gold
My eldest daughter has just started her first full time job in a local Travel Agents and is amazed at the popularity of Bulgaria; obviously she hears me rambling on about Bulgaria all the time but now she has it confirmed just how popular it is.

Everyday she comes home with tales to tell of clients who are returning visitors or prospective visitors who want to experience that Bulgarian Magic which makes this country so special.

Now bearing in mind she has visited Bulgaria many times I had to laugh when she asked did “Golden Sands get its name because of the beach?”

“Yes” I replied “but many people think that the name Golden Sands was made up by tour operators and developers to lure tourists and investors to the Black Sea Coast, but this could not be further from the truth, the Bulgarian name Zlanti Pyasatsi means Golden Sands in English and has been named this for many centuries.”

“Well that settles the argument then” she replied “because one of my colleagues firmly believes that this is a recent name given to do just that lure the tourists” and I said, she confirmed “well it can’t be as my mum has been visiting Bulgaria for years and she is ancient so it won’t be recent!”

“Oh thanks sweetheart was all I could muster!”

I then proceeded to tell her of all the benefits of Bulgaria that she could tell her clients about, like the local food, the people, the weather and activities on offer and her reply was “yes mum I have been there before you know!”

Speechless!!!

We have on offer some fantastic bargains to Bulgaria at the moment for those who are going over to view properties or are just looking for a well earned break.

Flights from just £119.00 PP and if you are looking to take in some lovely sites of the ancient town of Veliko Tarnovo what about a 5* cottage that sleeps 6 with all modern facilities and beautiful views of the Yantra River for only £270 Per Week.

Client Reviews of Property

"Nestled in a quiet, cobbled street overlooking the river Yantra, this property is both comfortable and welcoming. The views from the balcony are to die for whilst the property itself has been tastefully renovated to include all modern conveniences. The local key holder was extremely polite, friendly and helpful at all times (even on a Sunday!) and the area has shops, ruins, castles, museums and churches to explore. Overall this is a great place to rent. Treat yourself!"

Or what about a Beautiful Rustic Mountain Villa in an outstanding location with beautiful scenery situated in Troyan where you can visit many sites and participate in a vast range of activities with prices from £196 Per Week

Client Reviews of Property

"We have just returned from our stay at villa Donna in Troyan Bulgaria, the villa and its location was outstanding, if you are looking for a relaxing holiday with lots of nature around this is the place for you. The owners arranged for us to be picked up from the airport and also arranged car hire for us"


Try and beat that darling daughter, not to bad for an oldie!!!!!

Bargain Holidays from Bis-Perth