The Burns pattern was first introduced in about 1879. It has both Scottish and Chinese influences. Many of the pieces have the inscription 'We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet for days o' Auld Lang Syne' round the edge of the pattern whilst the main design is of Chinese origin an influence which is also seen in the shape of the ware.

The range of ware produced was mainly breakfast and teaware including eggcups, marmalade pots and toast racks rather than the full range of dinnerware. The shape of the teapot is known as the Crichton shape. It was registered at the British Patent Office in January 1879 with the registered number 330920. This shape is based on an 18th century Chinese hexagonal teapot of Yi-hsing red stoneware. The lid has a recumbent lion for the knob. This Chinese shape had already been copied by Spode in the early 1800s but it is thought that Copeland may not have known of this Spode version and copied his shape after a silver one, giving it the name Crichton after the important London silversmith.

There are several versions of a blue-printed pattern with the Burns inscription featuring Italian, Tower and Grasshopper patterns, but the Burns pattern proper is decorated with lions and Chinese dragons and has pattern number 2/1361. The design was later adopted by Livingstone's in Oban. A special backstamp was produced which included the pattern name, the retailer's name and the pottery manufacturer's name. Duncan Livingstone was a China Merchant of 91 George Street, Oban. One theory about the unlikely combination of Chinese dragons and a Burn's quotation is that the design was produced specifically for the tourist trade as a high quality memento - tourism was increasing in Oban at this time. The pattern was reserved to Livingstone's for many years.

An almost identical pattern, number 2/1365, has the pattern richly traced with gilding. In 1881 the pattern was also produced on bone china with pattern number 1/2844 and later versions were made in different colours with different shaped cups and saucers.