The 2025 Robert Burns Celtic Festival kicks off in Camperdown this weekend, celebrating the town’s Scottish connection, and the beloved statue of a historical figure. 

First held in August 2012, the annual event presents a weekend packed with traditional music, food and festivities across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

But what is Camperdown’s connection to Robert Burns, and what’s the story behind it?

The man, the myth, the marble

Robert Burns was a well-known poet and lyricist, known widely as “the national poet of Scotland”.

While the poet himself lived and died in Scotland, the statue of Burns in Camperdown is believed to be the oldest surviving statue of him in the world.

It was brought to Camperdown by immigrant William Andrew Taylor, who settled in the town in 1876. 

During a family visit to Scotland in 1882, Taylor arranged for the statue, commissioned by his late father, to be shipped to his new home in Australia. 

On its arrival in March 1883, Taylor gifted the statue to the town of Camperdown, and it was later erected in the Botanic Gardens, where it stood for 125 years.

After undergoing restorations, the statue was unveiled at its new location in the foyer of the Corangamite Shire Civic Centre in January 2012.

The ceremony was attended by Burns admirers from all over Australia as well as from overseas. 

Special guests included Belinda Treseeder, an eighth generation direct descendant of Robert Burns; a family member of the owners of the Drumhead Quarry, and descendants of the sculptor, John Greenshields. 

Also present were a number of local descendants of William Andrew Taylor.

Thirteen years on, the festival is a celebration of Scottish music, dance and traditions, the lives of Camperdown’s many notable Scots, and of course, Robert Burns.

What’s on this year?

This year’s performers feature The Melbourne Welsh Male Choir, The Raglins, MacCrimmin and Luke Plumb, among others.

The popular Gala Dinner will be held at 6pm this evening, June 27. 

The gala dinner costs $85 per person and must be booked in advance.

Saturday and Sunday will have free entertainment in the town square, piping, Highland dancing, kids activities, market stalls, storytelling at the library, shortbread judging at the courthouse, as well as the Ambrose Cup at the Camperdown Golf Club. 

A whisky tasting will also take place at the Hampden Hotel on Saturday afternoon.

To view the full program, visit camperdownburnsfestival.com.au