The Year of Homecoming celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns got off to memorable start in Dumfries and as President of the Burns Howff Club I found myself in the thick of things from the start. Having proposed the Immortal Memory at Friars Carse on the previous evening I arose early to prepare for the days events.

I picked up one David Smith (Honorary Secretary of the Burns Howff Club) and headed for the historic setting of St. Michaels Church in Dumfries, one of the central locations in the Burns World as the Mausoleum in the Churchyard is the final resting place of Robert and his wife Bonnie Jean.

An inspiring church service was followed by the traditional laying of floral wreaths within the Mausoleum. During the service the Duke of Buccleuch unveiled the recently installed stained glass windows dedicated to Robert and Jean while Linda Fabiani Scottish Minister for Culture unveiled a new and impressive bust of Robert. So much new art in one day was impressive.

It was an honour for me, as President of the Burns Howff Club and Junior Vice President of the SSCBA, to be requested to read one of the lessons in the church.

The evening at Easterbrook Hall for the Southern Scottish Counties Burns Association Gala Burns Supper was an outstanding success. David Baird (President of the SSCBA who was the driving force behind the event showed how it should be done, chairing the evening with real style. The Speakers, Alex Fergusson, Professor Ted Cowan and Jane Brown were outstanding. The quality of the performers was breathtaking with Frank Curran showing the now expected relaxed manner and carrying the gathering with him accompanied by Max Houliston, and Ian Kirkpatrick on great form. John Caskie never fails to impress and as usual made it appear easy and as always Valerie Blake was outstanding, both accompanied by David McCulloch who was as polished as ever. It is difficult to describe the pleasure at the performances by Natalie Stewart from Sanquhar as Young Burnsian of the Year, her performances were breathtaking.

Claudia Francis Wood accompanied by Raymond Budd was just incredible I could have listened to her all night. In addition we had recitation from Avril Kerr and Ewan McCall with both up to their usual high standard.

The Haggis was piped in by Pipe Major Calum Watson who always impresses and it was carried with some skill and flair by our own David Smith.

A night to remember.

DRM