Address to a Haggis: Robert Burns the Inspiration for over 720 British Street Names

Robert Burns has inspired the naming of over 720 street names across the United Kingdom, according to new research from Royal Mail; with 272 of the nation's towns and cities containing at least one address honouring the life and works of Scotland's Favourite Son

Glasgow and the Bard's birthplace, Ayr contain the most Burns-related addresses in the UK; however some of the more surprising hotspots include Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and Mansfield in Nottinghamshire

There are over 100 'Burns Road' addresses in the UK; stretching from Aberdeen to Banbury. 'Robert Burns Mews' in London's Herne Hill, three separate Jean Armour Avenues in Edinburgh and 'Clarinda Crescent' in Mauchline serve as additional examples

The various homes featuring throughout his poems serve as inspiration for a spate of British street names (121), in addition to the main women in his life (76)

Several other Burns Night-related addresses - including neeps, haggis and even Auld Lang Syne - also exist around the United Kingdom

• Robert Burns has inspired the naming of over 720 street names across the United Kingdom, according to new research from Royal Mail; with 272 of the nation's towns and cities containing at least one address honouring the life and works of Scotland's Favourite Son
• Glasgow and the Bard's birthplace, Ayr contain the most Burns-related addresses in the UK; however some of the more surprising hotspots include Wellingborough in Northamptonshire and Mansfield in Nottinghamshire
• There are over 100 'Burns Road' addresses in the UK; stretching from Aberdeen to Banbury. 'Robert Burns Mews' in London's Herne Hill, three separate Jean Armour Avenues in Edinburgh and 'Clarinda Crescent' in Mauchline serve as additional examples
• The various homes featuring throughout his poems serve as inspiration for a spate of British street names (121), in addition to the main women in his life (76)
• Several other Burns Night-related addresses - including neeps, haggis and even Auld Lang Syne - also exist around the United Kingdom

Robert Burns did much more than just rouse a nation with his poetry; he inspired hundreds of UK and Scottish addresses.

New research from Royal Mail reveals that his legacy extends to the naming of 724 streets across the United Kingdom, with around 272 of the nation's towns and cities containing at last one address inspired by the iconic poet and his works.

As Burns Night approaches, Royal Mail's Address Management Unit analysed over 30 million addresses to reveal the extent of Scotland's national poet's impact on the Country's domestic psyche. Although 42% of Burns-related streets are in Scotland, the spirit of 'Rabbie' is very much felt across the rest of the UK - with 338 separate Burns Road, Avenue, Close and Lane addresses stretching from Cheadle to Cwmbran to Coventry.

The top 20 'Robert Burns hotspots of the UK' are as follows:

1. Glasgow (72 street names)
2. Ayr (25)
3. London (19)
4. Greenock (16)
5. Mauchline (16)
6. Clydebank (14)
7. Edinburgh (13)
8. Stirling (12)
9. Kilmarnock (10)
10. Manchester (10)
11. Bathgate (9)
12. Mansfield (9)
13. Dumfries (8)
14. Dundee (8)
15. Nottingham (8)
16. Sheffield (8)
17. Ardrossan (7)
18. Doncaster (7)
19. Rotherham (7)
20. Saltcoats (7)

Other than the man himself, the various homes that he lived in throughout his life are a primary source of inspiration (121); including 14 'Lochlea' and 16 'Mosgiel'-related addresses in Glasgow, and five 'Mount Oliphant' in Ayr. The women in his life have also proven to be muses for the naming of the nation's streets;with 76 street names related to Clarinda, Jean Armour and Mary Campbell dotted around the country.

Some other fascinating facts unearthed by the research include:

• Several addresses are influenced by some of the poet's most iconic verses, including Auld Lang Signs graphic designers in Irvine, Red Rose Gardens in Sale and Tam O'Shanter Drive in Stirling
• Some of the most surprising 'Rabbie Hotspots' include seven 'Burns Road' addresses in Wellingborough, seven 'Burns Lane's in Mansfield and five 'Robert Burns Avenue's in Cheltenham
• 'Burns Road' addresses exist all over London, including three in Willesden, five in Clapham and one in Perivale
• There are various street names around the country shaped by the more culinary aspects of Burns Night; including Haggis Gap in Cambridge, Neeps Croft in Nottingham and Dundee's Old Whisky Road

Steve Rooney, Head of Royal Mail Address Management Unit commented: 'We deliver mail to over 30 million addresses, six days a week, which puts us in the unique position of having direct access to all the amazing street names across Britain.

'It's no secret that Robert Burns and his poems form an enormous part of Scottish history and identity; but it's fascinating to see that his legacy is felt so profoundly across the entire country.'

Royal Mail is also marking the celebration of Robert Burn's birth with a special Burns Night postmark, featuring the first two lines of his famous Address to a Haggis. The postmark will appear on mailed items around the UK during the week of 22 January.

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Royal Mail press office

0207 449 8246

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Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters ('UKPIL') comprises the company's UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the 'Royal Mail' and 'Parcelforce Worldwide' brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to around 30 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects