But instead of toasting his life with a dram and a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties, a talk is being staged to put Burns into a modern context.

Author Catherine Smith, who has just written a biography about him, will explain why Burns still matters to young Scots and to the world.

She believes that many modern Scots under-rate Burns by thinking of him only as a poet, while many people aged under 35 know little about him.

"Some people know that Burns wrote about politics – but few know that, although they never met, Burns and George Washington had great respect for each other.

"Burns gets the name of being soft-hearted about wee mice, when it was one of his strong warnings that agricultural technology could kill off essential wildlife," she said.

Ms Smith believes there is a lot the modern world could learn from Burns, whose birth 250 years ago has been the inspiration behind this year's Homecoming celebrations.

During the talk, which takes place at the Portsoy Salmon Bothy on Thursday, she will also explain his close affinity with the sea and reveal details of Burns' visit to the town.

She added: "He was born beside the sea, watching salmon boats scudding on waves. As an Exciseman, his knowledge of the sea was invaluable.

"But it isn't just for the sea that the Moray Firth is central to the Burns story. It was during his inspirational tour of the Highlands in 1787, coming back south via Portsoy, that he truly understood the power of living music.

"So he spent every spare moment of the rest of his life creating songs to lift the hearts of ordinary people. This part of Scotland made it possible for him to fulfil his destiny."

The talk will start at 7.30pm.

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