Burns in Abernethy

The bard and I travelled to Abernethy recently (famous for its Pictish Tower - shown above ) to visit Abernethy Burns club for an evening show for a change! The locals turned out in force and we had a great evening enjoyed by all. Thanks to the ladies who provided tea and baking and to Ian for organising it all. As often before I ran over time but no-one complained! The audience joined in the singing enthusiastically and many compliments were received after the show.

Burns in Biggar

The Bard and I visited Tinto Primary, just outside Biggar, recently and on the way stopped to shoot this wonderful sunrise...

After a good run down, despite some heavy traffic, the pupils were raring to go....and they know their bard too! Well some of them do. They explained the story of Tam O Shanter beautifully but hadn't met Ceasar and Luath of Twa Dugs fame...so we addressed that!

They sang well and listened attentively to lots more. Many searching questions at the end showed they had paid attention and were up to learn more. Hopefully some photos and drawings to come ...

Thnx to the teacher who took the photos for me......

Burns at Brodie Castle

The bard and I were in Moray recently visiting the fabulous Brodie Castle. A very enthusiastic audience were full of praise for the show. It is a great venue for anything of an historic nature and Burns fitted the bill perfectly. A big thanks to Andy Ross for all his help making it happen and to the staff of the castle for their hospitality. Well done too, to the duo Pur who used the event to launch their own CD of Gaelic and Scots singing.

Burns in Irvine

The Bard and I were in Irvine recently at the invitation of the Irvine Lassies Burns Club to help them celebrate the Homecoming year. When last there, Burns had an illuminating experience as the workshop he was using for flax dressing burnt down at New Year!

The Bard & the club piano - a story in itself!

What a fantastic night we had in the music room of "Wellwood" - the club house for the prestigious Irvine Burns Clubs. There is so much history in that club it would need a whole day to view all the artefacts alone. More information can be read here on the club website http://www.irvineayrshire.org/burns/

We had a full house of 70 plus who sung their hearts out and seemed to thoroughly enjoy my interpretation of the Bard's story.

One of the stain glass windows in the club

The ladies put on a splendid spread at half time and the whole night flew by. We finished off with a small gathering into the small hours, at the house of Margaret & Davie Cook , who also accommodated Fiona and I. A HUGE thanks to them for their very warm hospitality.

Burns in Edinburgh

Taylor's Hall Hotel - Cowgate - Edinburgh

The Bard and I had a busy weekend! After the Globe in on Saturday we had two gigs lined up in Edinburgh on the Sunday. The first was a short guest spot in Taylors Hall Hotel. This was a charity night for Children of Chernobyl - a very worthy cause which I was delighted to support. Fellow Fencible David Purdie started the night off with his slide show of Burns Edinburgh. This was followed by a group of children who were all Burns Competition winners and were simply superb.....well done all! The first half was finished with a short spot from yours truly encouraging some audience participation (from the 200 strong crowd) for the first time in the evening. Well done to Mike for arranging all this for a very worthy cause.

Robert Louis Stevenson's House - Edinburgh

A quick dash up the road then, for David and myself, to Robert Louis Stevenson's house which was the venue for a dinner of the Atlanta Burns Club - currently touring Scotland. A very enthusiastic audience of around 30 joined in some of the Bard's well known works with gusto and were left wanting more...... Good luck to them on their up-coming tour of Scotland in the capable hands of Ian MacMillan, President, Wester Ross Burns Club and a friend of the Bard from a previous tour......

Burns in Dumfries

Some of the audience with the 'Bard' in the Howff Club room

The Bard and I were delighted to return to Dumfries this weekend as guests of the Howff Burns club. The show which was originally planned for the Theatre was rescheduled into the Club room in the Globe Inn due to small numbers. This was a double edge sword....unfortunate because the numbers were small but exciting in that it meant the show would take place in the very building Burns frequented.

Rantin Rovin Robin

However, those that were there had a great time and joined in the songs with much enthusiasm. A special mention to the lady from Australia who found her way to join us. It was a long way to come for a gig but hopefully worth the trip!

As an additional bonus I got to sleep in the room RB shared with Anna Park - how cool is that?! (A big thanks to Jane, Manager in the Globe, for making that happen).

The Burns Room in the Globe Inn - the room RB used to meet Anna Park

Of course the love song Burns wrote for Anna - Yestre'en I had a Pint o Wine - went down very well and it was quite an emotional event singing it in the very place where it all happened! Thanks to the Howff Club members who showed up to support the show - and for their fine hospitality.

Burns in Poolewe

Laide Caravan Park

The Bard and I visited lovely Wester Ross this weekend at the invitation of Wester Ross Burns Club. Poolewe village hall echoed to the Burns' story with club members, locals and some holiday makers attending.

Poolewe Hall

Thanks to the ladies who put on a great spread at the interval and a BIG thanks to Ian and Jean to who set the whole thing up and accommodated us in their lovely house over the weekend.

We also managed to visit Inverewe gardens and take in the fantastic array of plant-life there.