Burns takes 'Great Scot' title
Ayrshire's most famous son has been voted the public's Great Scot in a National Trust Poll.
Robert Burns has been voted the public’s ‘Great Scot’ securing more than twice the votes of his nearest rival, conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland has revealed.
The charity has been running the poll online and at selected properties over the past two months, as part of a campaign to raise funds for the Burns Monument in Alloway which is in need of vital repair.
Burns took the top spot comfortably, with 44 per cent of the vote. The final results of the Great Scots poll are:
- Robert Burns – 44 per cent - Charles Rennie Mackintosh - 19 per cent - Mary Queen of Scots – 16 per cent - Sir Hugh Munro – 14 per cent - Flora MacDonald – 7 per cent.
Thousands of votes were cast online and in person at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Culloden, Drum Castle, Glencoe Visitor Centre, the Hill House and Pollok House.
Chris Waddell, learning manager at the Trust’s Robert Burns Birthplace in Alloway said:
“We were always confident that Burns was going take the Great Scots title. For many he is Scotland’s soul. Votes for him came from all over the world, showing that not only is he still weel kent at home, but that he remains one of Scotland’s best global ambassadors too.”
Only at Glencoe Visitor Centre was Burns’ dominance challenged. Here Sir Hugh Munro took the top spot.
The conservation charity selected the five historical ‘heroes’ whose fascinating stories and incredible achievements have had a profound impact on Scotland’s history, architecture and landscape and asked the public to select their ‘Great Scot’. The poll ran from 9 March until 29 April.
Mark Bishop, Director of Customer and Cause at the Trust said:
“It was fantastic to see the passion that the Great Scots poll inspired. The lively debate and participation shows just how inspiring our historical heroes are, and we are proud to play our part in telling their story.”
More than £70,000 has been raised of the remaining £100,000 needed to repair the Burns Monument in Alloway. The Victorian structure requires conservation work now. Funds have already come from the NTS USA Foundation, grants and individual donors. To donate, visit www.nts.org.uk/greatscots.