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Jim McMillan, President of Inveraray Burns Club, welcomed over 60 members and guests to the Argyll Hotel, Inveraray to celebrate the 249th anniversary of the birth of the Bard.
The haggis was piped in by Laura McMillan and carried aloft by 11-year-old Mark Stark whose mum Pamela, a club member enthusiastically addressed. After an excellent traditional dinner the company settled down to a first class evening of entertainment.
Michael Kidd of Taynuilt in his Immortal Memory providing a fascinating insight into the history of the Excise Service and the considerable part it played in the life of Robert Burns when he moved to Dumfries-shire in the years leading up to his untimely death.
Cas Campbell from Bishopton proposed a most humorous and somewhat irreverent Toast to the Lassies but he was very ably answered by Sylvia Stark of Inveraray who provided the reply.
The speeches were interspersed by a stirring skirl of the pipes played by Laura McMillan and songs and recitations from Margaret Flanagan of Dunoon. Once again, Bletherskyte from Cumnock, who have become very good friends of the fledgling club, entertained us with their own brand of song and humour.
The evening was rounded off with a dramatised comedy of Death and Dr Hornbook, a satirical poem written by Burns about a Mauchline resident whose dalliance in prescribing unqualified medical advice was killing people quicker than Death himself could do.
As usual, the company ended the evening with a rousing chorus of The Star of Rabbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne.
Inveraray Burns Club has three social meeting per year and has rapidly gained a reputation for providing great entertainment and company, with good food. Further information can be had from the Secretary at 01499 302617 or www.inverarayburnsclub.org.uk
