A rare manuscript of Auld Lang Syne, written in Burns's own hand, will be shown in New York as part of the Scotland Week celebrations.

A rare manuscript of Auld Lang Syne, written in Burns's own hand, will be shown in New York as part of the Scotland Week celebrations.

The paper, which dates from around 1788, is normally on display in Glasgow, but will cross the Atlantic for the event.

From March 31 until April 4, it will be shown at the prestigious Grolier Club on Manhattan's East 60th Street. Then, on April 6, it will move to New York public library.

Auld Lang Syne is known around the world and is the unofficial anthem of New Year celebrations. The manuscript is one of only six left in the world.

Tourism bosses hope seeing the document will inspire people to visit Scotland in 2009, designated the country's "homecoming" year to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Scots descendants will be urged to return "home" to trace their ancestry.

Tom McWilliam, VisitScotland's area director for Glasgow, said: "Our programme of consumer and business events will focus on Homecoming Scotland, showing US consumers exactly why they should come to Scotland in 2009 to join us in our year-long celebrations.

"The Burns manuscript will be an important element of this promotion."

The manuscript is usually held in the Robert Burns Collection at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.