If I had to choose my favourite Scot of all time I would choose Robert Burns. Our national bard has established himself as Scotland’s greatest cultural icon and the nation’s favourite son.
The poetry of Robert Burns has carried Scots to an audience beyond our shores and adds real colour to the Scottish tartan. Burns forms a substantial part of the articulation of Scottish identity. His work contained virtues that have been absorbed into our sense of self - it is humorous, radical and articulate.
If I had to choose from his canon of work I would select ‘A Man’s a Man for a’ That’ as my favourite Burns poem. His body of work has stood the test of time and continues to influence and inspire people across the world.

Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP MSP - First Minister of Scotland

Text © Alex Salmond

other images -

Then let us pray that come it may,
.......As come it will for a' that,
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth
.......Shall bear the gree, and a' that.
....For a' that, and a' that,
.......It’s comin yet for a’ that
That Man to Man the warld o'er,
....Shall brothers be for a' that.

Robert Burns