The Braw Burns

Robert Burns lovers are raising toasts this weekend in celebration of a humble-born man whose own celebration of life found expression in poetry that continues to be enjoyed by millions.

Advances in technology and transformation in the lives of people that in Rabbie’s lifetime would have been unimaginable have not diminished his appeal. Burns Suppers have their place alongside the many festivals of fun and achievement such as Bastille Day in France, Mardi Gras in America and India’s Kumbh Mela festheir tival at the Ganges. And a glass or more of Scotland’s “water of life” will be raised, too, in joint tribute to Scotland’s national bard.

The annual “do” might be sometimes denigrated but if we didn’t celebrate it I think the number of cases of seasonal affective disorder would have the NHS on its knees.

IAN JOHNSTONE Forman Drive, Peterhead