Colin’s toast to Burns...in Peru
A Perth man raised a glass to Scotland’s national bard yesterday at a massive virtual Burns Supper for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) staff around the world.
Diplomat Colin Gray – who serves as the UK’s deputy head of mission in Peru – was picked to address a massive Teams meeting online, organised by staff at FCDO’s base in East Kilbride, to toast the world-famous poet.
All of FCDO’s 17,300 staff worldwide were invited to attend the event on Monday.
Lima-based Colin said:“I’m a long way from home in Perth in Lima by the Pacific Ocean.
“I’m really sorry that I’ll be missing out on the Caledonian Society’s Peruvian twist on haggis, neeps and tatties this year, but I hope we can all raise a glass to the bard and get together in person again very soon.”
Foreign Office minister Wendy Morton said:“Scots are at the very heart of helping FCDO be a force for good around the world and staff were keen to pay tribute to Robert Burns despite COVID-19.
“Lockdown restrictions might mean that the many Burns Suppers our embassies usually organise around the world to help showcase Scotland cannot happen this year, but that isn’t stopping us from celebrating.
“Robert Burns was very much an internationalist, so I’m sure he would have approved of the UK Government bringing the COP26 climate change summit to Glasgow, and our work promoting human rights and helping the world’s poorest countries.”