It is the tale of a man who stays too long at a pub and describes a disturbing vision of witches and warlocks at a haunted Kirk on his way home.

And now Tam o' Shanter, one of Robert Burns's longest narrative poems, has been voted the nation's favourite of the bard's work.

Almost a quarter of Scots (23%) surveyed chose Tam o' Shanter, penned in 1790, as their favourite Burns verse, according to a new poll.

The YouGov survey was carried out ahead of Burns Night on Wednesday, and asked adults across Scotland to choose their favourite Burns poem from a list of options.

A Man's a Man for A' That came second with 17% of respondents rating the poem, which is said to be famous for its liberal ideas of society in the 19th century.

In a close third place, with 16%, was Address to a Haggis, which is traditionally read out at Burns Suppers before the haggis is served up.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: "Robert Burns is Scotland's greatest cultural icon, recognised and celebrated all around the world.

"The results from this poll show that our national Bard still holds a special place in the nation's heart.

"The favourite, Tam o' Shanter, is considered by many as one of the best examples of narrative poem, while no Burns Supper would be complete without its vital ingredient — the Address to a Haggis.

"My personal favourite is Mary Morrison, a simple yet very romantic poem about longing. It was the poem I recited during my final year at Alloway Primary School to win the Burns Recital Prize. That was a great honour and to this day I still find the poem very moving."