By Cara Sulieman
RECEIVING a bottle of whisky for your birthday is not unusual – but one famous Scot has had 250 bottles made especially for him.
Famous Grouse have created the special edition bottles to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth and Homecoming 2009.
The bottles, one to signify each year since his birth, will be given to Burns Suppers across the globe and auctioned off for charity.
As well as containing a 37-year-old blended malt whisky, the bottles are decorated with a drawing of the famous bard by John Byrne, a Scottish artist and playwright.
Byrne has created album artwork for stars such as The Beatles, making him almost as famous as the bard himself.
He said: “It is an honour as a Scottish writer and artist, to create a picture to adorn the bottle commemorating Scotland’s National Poet. It is fantastic to see that 250 years on Robert Burns’ legacy is still being celebrated both at home and abroad.”
The bottles are a major part of the World Famous Burns Supper Celebration, where groups from around the world can register their Burns Supper plans and let others know what they’re getting up to.
They are also hoping to achieve a new World Record for the most Burns suppers ever held.
Once registered, the groups can then apply to get one of the special bottles to auction off at their event, raising money for a worthy cause.
As a group the bottles are valued at £400, but it is hoped that they can raise more than £10,000 for charity.
There are around 1,500 events already registered on www.burnssupper2009.com, including celebrations from all corners of the world.
