If you have been keeping up to date with the project via social media or by checking our website recently, you will have seen our extensive series of events that have taken place throughout September, October and November 2024 to commemorate two hundred and fifty years since the death of Robert Fergusson, and to celebrate his short life and immense poetical, cultural and medical legacies.

Project Fergusson would like to thank our many partners and friends who have shared their love of Fergusson with us in 2024 and who have collaborated with us on organising and running events, or ran events independently and invited us along! We would also like to say a huge thank you to all those who have attended Fergusson events! We have so appreciated the engagement, enthusiasm, and joy in which attendees have embraced Fergusson, his life, and works, and who have recognised his immense talent. Some lovely people came to multiple events too – thank you to you all! We are so pleased that more people are now Fergusson fans, and have expressed an interest in becoming familiar with his poetry.

For those of you who may have missed out or who would like a recap of our events series, we have done a roundup of the events we have organised, co-organised or attended as guests in autumn 2024 below:

Symposium – ‘Robert Fergusson’s Textual Legacies in the 250 Years Since his Death’

We invited a range of scholars and enthusiasts to the University of Glasgow for a day symposium dedicated to the life, works and legacy of Scots poet Robert Fergusson. Featuring a mix of academic papers and creative contributions, this symposium allowed reflection on Fergusson’s works and legacies, through re-examining lines of literary transmission. For a full report on the symposium, please see here.

Exhibition and Events Programme with Glasgow’s Mitchell Library

We co-curated an exhibition alongside the Mitchell Library’s Special Collections team, which celebrated Fergusson through the collections in the Mitchell Library, including one of the founding collections: Scottish Poetry. We explored the Mitchell’s vast holdings of Fergusson’s early publications, engravings, and other artefacts, and showed how his legacy lives on. For a glimpse into the exhibition, check out the Mitchell’s blog post on some of the key items we included.

The Mitchell also kindly hosted a lecture with Professor Brown entitled ‘Remembering Robert Fergusson: The Poet’s Legacies in the 21st Century’, which was well-attended and enjoyed by all. We were joined also by Dr Jim Ferguson (no relation!) for a series of Creative Writing workshops with both schools and the general public. Dr Ferguson’s sessions examined the interplay between Scots and English, how we think about language, and how we can take pleasure in expressing ourselves freely using the language we grow up with: ‘Oor ain language’. It was fabulous to see the response from schoolchildren and adults alike, and we were treated to some excellent poems! 

‘Meet the Poet’ Tours and Social Media Livestream with The Real Mary King’s Close

As soon as we realised that Robert Fergusson was a major character in award-winning tourist attraction The Real Mary King’s Close‘s tours, we knew they would be a perfect partner and event collaborator!

Alongside a social media livestream with project Research Assistant Amy Wilcockson and Matt Brady as Fergusson himself, RMKC also ran a series of exclusive ‘Meet the Poet’ tours. Following a guided tour of the hidden closes beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, attendees experienced a meet and greet with Fergusson, where he shared the captivating story of his life, his struggles, and his inspirations. Taking part in one of these tours was incredible fun – we also crafted our own Standard Habbie stanzas inspired by Fergusson’s works and tasted a dram of RMKC’s own blended whisky! A must-visit attraction, and fingers crossed for more Fergusson tours in the future!

The Edinburgh Cape Society‘s Annual Whisky Pour

We were thrilled to be invited by Edinburgh’s Cape Society to attend their annual whisky pour at Fergusson’s grave. Song, poetry, and a dram of whisky all helped celebrate Fergusson and his legacies!

Handling Session at the National Library of Scotland

One of the largest collections of Fergusson manuscripts and rare books are held at the NLS in Edinburgh. We were lucky enough to be able to host a handling session of these rare items and share them with a group of our collaborators and friends on the project. A particular highlight was the Cape Club records, which included a sketch of Fergusson by Alexander Runciman (plus other amusing – and rude! – drawings), and the recently discovered manuscript of one of Fergusson’s Cape Club poems. Many thanks to the NLS staff for this exciting and informative session.

Royal High School Edinburgh – ‘Remembering Robert Fergusson’ Celebration 

Fergusson was one of the notable alumni of Edinburgh’s Royal High School, and we were delighted to be invited to contribute to their celebration of Fergusson’s life and the re-unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Fergusson. Professor Brown gave an address, as did former pupil, poet and performer Tom Pow, original verses by Royal High School students were performed, and ‘Braid Claith’ was translated into eight different languages and recited by pupils. The event was enjoyed by all students, staff, and visitors. More information about the event can be found here, and more on Fergusson and his time at the High School can be read here.

‘Remembering Robert Fergusson: A Night of Poetry and Music’ at St Cecilia’s Hall in conjunction with the Scottish Poetry Library

Alongside our fabulous guests, the writer and broadcaster Billy Kay, acclaimed authors Andrew O’Hagan and James Robertson, musician David Hamilton and Professor Kirsteen McCue, Professor of Scottish Literature and Song Culture at the University of Glasgow, we celebrated Fergusson in style at St Cecilia’s Hall on the 250th anniversary of his death. October 17th saw a sold-out event which featured readings, impassioned speeches (who else thinks we need a Fergusson Day?), and beautiful song, which combined to create a fantastic event which all who attended won’t forget in a hurry! Huge thanks too to the wonderful Scottish Poetry Library for their support and promotion of this event.

For more information on the event, see the official press release here.

University of Glasgow’s Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies lecture

Professor Brown also delivered a lecture as part of the Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies’s lecture series. The lecture examined Fergusson’s legacies in 2024 and beyond and also raised intriguing editorial questions and discussed policies that will be used in the ongoing edition of Fergusson’s poems.

For the Centre’s lecture programme for the remainder of the 2024-2025 academic year, please see here.

‘Robert Fergusson: Poet, Prodigal Son, or Tavern Rat?’ Lunchtime Talk – National Galleries of Scotland

One of the most exciting moments for the project this year was the return to public display at the National Galleries of Scotland of the portrait of Robert Fergusson by Alexander Runciman. Both men were members of the Cape Club which brought together trades, advocates, poets, artists, musicians and actors in a near ‘bohemian’ atmosphere. Professor Brown and Portrait’s curator Liz Louis joined forces for an excellent lunchtime talk to discuss Fergusson’s life, death and artistic networks.

Many thanks to Liz and the National Galleries team for organising this fabulous event! The talk was recorded and can be viewed here and you can view the portrait at the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh.

‘Music, Poetry, and Song: Robert Fergusson’s Auld Reikie’ 

Organised by our friend Billy Kay, this event at the University of Edinburgh’s Reid Concert Hall was a celebration of 18th Century Edinburgh through the Scots poetry of Robert Fergusson. Fergusson’s poetry was read by Billy Kay, whilst the music and song of the period was sung and played by the talented Karine Polwart, Sarah Hoy, Steve Byrne and Gary West. Thanks to Billy and the University of Edinburgh for hosting such a great concert and for inviting Project Fergusson as guests of honour!

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The project also appeared in the media numerous times in 2024, from stories in the national news regarding the Fergusson events, to appearing as guests on the Stories from Glasgow and Scots Whay Hae podcasts. We also were very excited to have a piece on Fergusson as unofficial Edinburgh laureate published in History Today magazine and another on Fergusson’s use of food and drink in his poems in The Bottle Imp!

We’re incredibly excited for 2025 when we have further events planned, a poetry collection responding to Fergusson’s works in progress (if you would like to submit a poem, please see here for more info!!), and the new edition of his poems scheduled for completion! Please keep up to date with the project on this website and on social media.

We look forward to meeting more of you at events and online over the coming year!