John Barbour, the early Scottish poet, died on this day in 1395.

One of the first poets to use the vernacular in Scots poetry, he was also a pioneering historian. His epic masterwork is "The Bruce", one of the great national poems of Scotland. Barbour served as Archdeacon of Aberdeen, and "The Bruce" is highly commended for it's historical accuracy when compared to other similar works such as Blind Harry's "Wallace".

On 13 March 1873, the Scottish Football Association was formed. The impetus for forming the organisation came from a meeting after the first international match against England. Attending the meeting were representatives from all of Scotland's leading clubs: Clydesdale, Vale of Leven, Dumbreck, Third Lanark Rifle Volunteer Reserves, Eastern, Granville and Rovers. The meeting was chaired by Queen's Park.

Today's recipe: Scots chef Tom Lewis's kedgeree recipe gives Scottish seafood a spicy kick. West coast scallops, quinoa and smoked haddock kedgeree with mustard leaves and curry dressing.