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Ian Russell, former Director and Emeritus Professor at the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and folklorist whose research and advocacy spanned the UK, Ireland, and North America, passed away on 16 May 2026. Perhaps best known for his career-long research into the village carols of the Pennines, Ian taught me that communal song not only brings people together, but has the power to communicate otherwise inapprehensible meaning.
The half-light of these weary January days will soon be lit up by the linguistic thrills of Burns Night. This international celebration of Robert Burns’ timeless poetry will see millions across the world raise a glass to Scotland’s bard on January 25. Burns is used by Scots as a frame upon which to hang a tremendous amount of weighty national identity. Upon him they place responsibility as the source of their egalitarian spirit, and of their radicalism.
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