Tunnock’s says Happy Birthday to Burns with substantial five-figure donation to National Trust for Scotland

World-famous Scottish biscuit company Tunnock’s has donated a substantial five-figure sum to conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland for their new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum after it was revealed company Managing Director Boyd Tunnock and his grandson Colin, 23, share the same birthday as Scotland’s most famous poet.

World-famous Scottish biscuit company Tunnock’s has donated a substantial five-figure sum to conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland for their new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum after it was revealed company Managing Director Boyd Tunnock and his grandson Colin, 23, share the same birthday as Scotland’s most famous poet.

Boyd, 75, was more than happy to donate to the new £21million, 1600m² museum which will provide space for the country’s leading Burns collection, bringing the bard’s life and works to life for visitors. The museum is scheduled to open in Summer 2010 and the Trust is currently raising the last £3.8million required to fully realise the project.

Tunnock’s are renowned across the globe for their teacakes, caramel wafers and snowballs, with the biscuits being top sellers in 37 countries from America to the Far East.

For Boyd, a keen Burns enthusiast and grandson of the company’s founder Thomas Tunnock, there was no question over Tunnock’s involvement with the museum.

Boyd Tunnock said:

“I have been a keen Burns fan since an early age and my grandson Colin was registered as a member of our local Burns club, the Bridgeton Burns Club, when he was just a couple of hours old.

“It’s not just because we share a birthday – though that certainly is nice – a proper Burns Supper is a fantastic event to behold as his words are so powerful. We’re delighted to help more people learn about Burns and his work for decades to come.

“The museum looks as if it is going to be an incredible legacy for Burns and I’m sure Colin and I will be down there visiting once it opens next year – and I might even drive down in the old Tunnock’s van that we still use for special events.

“The donation is a nice birthday present to give – not just to Burns, but also for Colin, as we are a family keen on Burns.”

Trust Chairman Shonaig Macpherson said:

“Tunnock’s is also one of our Scottish icons and I thank Boyd and the company for their incredibly generous donation.

“Companies and individuals are coming forward with funds, realising the value of being associated with the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and the importance of ensuring the legacy of Burns is preserved for generations to come.”

Celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns and the beginning of the year of Homecoming get underway this weekend.

And in tribute to the donation, Trust staff have come up with a play on two of Burns most popular works…

Address to a Snowball
Fair fa' coconut sprinkled face,
Great chieftain o the teacake-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
mallow, choc, or cream:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.


Ode to a Teacake
Wee, mallow, rounded, choccy biccy,
O, what a panic's in my tummy!
One needs tae eat ye hasty
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin oot of thee,
An hae to eat a tattie.