Celebrating the Bard
BURNS celebrations from across Mid Argyll.
THERE might have been an unconventional entrance for the haggis at the Inveraray Burns Supper, but the evening proved to be a great success.
An unavoidable delay to the piper for the evening meant Alex McCallum on penny whistle and Allan McMillan on guitar were pressed into haggis-piping service. Alex and Allan, from Ayrshire, make up the folk duo Bletherskyte, and they continued to entertain with Burns songs throughout the evening.
At the Inveraray Inn on Saturday January 28, 60 members and friends of Inveraray Burns Club gathered to celebrate the 258th birthday of Scotland’s National Bard Robert Burns.
The haggis was ceremonially carried in by Sam Mulira, originally from Uganda but living in London, who had travelled north to experience his first Burns Supper and who wore the kilt for the first time.
Graeme McMillan from Inveraray addressed the haggis for the first time, reciting the Chieftain o’ the Puddin’ Race.
Retired Church of Scotland minister Brian Wilkinson from Taynuilt is an original member of the club and recited Burns’ own grace, before the company enjoyed an excellent repast. Toasted
In keeping with tradition, Her Majesty the Queen was toasted by Sue Campbell and then the evening’s entertainment began.
World champion piper Stuart Liddell, fresh from performing at Celtic Connections in Glasgow earlier that day, enthralled the audience with a display of world-class piping. The Immortal Memory was proposed by past president Kenny Stark.
He stressed the value Burns placed on being independent, politically and personally, as well as his humanity to all human beings.
Allan McMillan toasted the lassies and Jane McKay from Inveraray, who had been called upon at the last minute, replied in fine style.
Recitations were given by Hamish Thomson from Milngavie, who recited ‘Scotch Drink’, and local minister Rev Roderick Campbell who recited old favourite ‘The Cottar’s Saturday Night’.
The poem is an epic piece in which Burns described the scene at home on a Saturday night when the week’s toil comes to an end and the family prepare to celebrate the Sabbath the following day. Delight
In the 19th century it was a favourite at all Burns suppers and it was delight to hear it recited in such a fine manner.
This year’s Burns Supper was a little changed from recent years, in that all of those participating were club members - meeting one of the aims of the club, which is to encourage members to read the life and work of Robert Burns. Singing
The evening, which was chaired by newly-elected president Sylvia Stark, closed in the traditional manner, with the entire company singing ‘The Star of Rabbie Burns’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Inveraray Burns Club welcomes new members. For more information, email cronies@inverarayburnsclub.org.uk.