A dreich morning on 21st June saw President Frank and your blogger set off for the Parish of Hoddom, near Ecclefechan, to attend an unusual ceremony. This, by invitation of Glasgow and District Burns Association, was to launch the “St. Mungo Trail”, from where the patron saint of Glasgow founded his church in the 6th century and where a mound in the ancient kirkyard marks the historic spot. Unsure what the Burns’ connection was, we met the President of the WRBF in a lane, evidently lost but we joined the official party from Glasgow at the gates of Hoddom Castle. A sleek Merc, displaying the registration plate “G0” brought the Lord Provost of Glasgow and his suite which included His Grace, the Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti, who rather disappointingly was not wearing a pointed hat but he was friendly and shook hands with everybody. The company formed up and marched across a wet field in a drizzle to a stone with an interpretation board on top, adjoining the Kirkyard.  D&G Council convenor Patsy Gilroy welcomed the assembly and the Lord Provost unveiled the board which starts the “St. Mungo Trail” which the saint followed from Hoddom, up the M74 corridor to Glasgow. Other speeches were made and the Lord Provost and Convenor exchanged civic gifts before the party skedaddled to the tea room at the Castle. There we were joined by honorary member Professor Ted Cowan who spoke warmly of his visit to the club in 2010. Burns Federation past President George Anderson from Glasgow was present and among other guests was the Rev. Dr.Laurence Whitley, Minister of Glasgow Cathedral.  This was a low key affair with little advance publicity or since but it was a pleasure to attend and mix with the great and the good.

DS