Tam o’Shanter

poem by Burns

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July 14, 2026

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"Tam o' Shanter" is a famous narrative poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns and published in 1791. The poem tells the story of Tam, a farmer who, after a night of drinking, witnesses a supernatural gathering of witches and warlocks. He narrowly escapes their pursuit, with his horse losing its tail in the process.1

The poem is known for its vivid imagery, humor, and its exploration of Scottish folklore and superstitions. "Tam o' Shanter" is considered one of Burns's most celebrated works, alongside his many popular songs. The name "Tam o' Shanter" also refers to a type of woolen cap of Scottish origin.12

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Robert Burns
After Edinburgh
…of his poetic genius was “Tam o’ Shanter” (1791), a spirited narrative poem in brilliantly handled eight-syllable couplets based on a folk legend.
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…of his poetic genius was “Tam o’ Shanter” (1791), a spirited narrative poem in brilliantly handled eight-syllable couplets based on a folk legend.
Read More

Alloway
…Doon, immortalized in Burns’s poem “Tam o’ Shanter,” is nearby.
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…Doon, immortalized in Burns’s poem “Tam o’ Shanter,” is nearby.
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Cutty Sark
…Nannie in Robert Burns’s poem Tam o’Shanter. On February 16, 1870, the Cutty Sark left London on its maiden voyage, sailing to Shanghai by way of the Cape of Good Hope. The vessel served in the English-Chinese tea trade through the 1870s, later in the Australian wool trade, and finally…
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…Nannie in Robert Burns’s poem Tam o’Shanter. On February 16, 1870, the Cutty Sark left London on its maiden voyage, sailing to Shanghai by way of the Cape of Good Hope. The vessel served in the English-Chinese tea trade through the 1870s, later in the Australian wool trade, and finally…
Read More