Songs of Burns – Marathon Series Final Edition

Presenter: Gordon Hotchkiss

The most comprehensive study of the songs of Robert Burns ever broadcast ends on Celtic Music Radio this evening, the final day of 2025.

The carefully crafted marathon series, Rantin’ Rovin’ Robyn, presented by Gordon Hotchkiss, has run for a period of 34 weeks, starting on May 14.

It’s reckoned to be the most detailed and lengthy radio tribute ever to Burns, featuring more than 370 songs.

“The feedback has been very positive so I’m pleased so many have enjoyed the series and the songs of Burns,” said Gordon, whose series took up to six years to compile including research, recording and broadcasting.

When the life-long Burns’ fan began this project, he said: ”I don’t believe anything on such a scale has been broadcast before.

“Only a very limited number of Burns’ songs are ever broadcast, between ten and 20 at most, so I was keen to play many, many more on the radio and that’s what sparked off this musical adventure in the early days of Covid lockdown in 2020.”

Gordon delved deep into Burns’ extensive catalogue of around 400 songs that he was associated with – songs he actually wrote or collaborations, or others he adapted.

The programmes included the first song Burns ever wrote aged 15 in 1774 and the last one, in 1796, the year of his death when he was 37.

The series featured up to 70 different singers from a variety of sources including Gordon’s own collection and Celtic Music Radio’s library.

• Rantin’ Rovin’ Robyn, presented by Gordon Hotchkiss, today at 7 pm, December 31, 2025.