Robert BurnsLimited World Federation

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www.rbwf.org.uk

1977 The digital conversion of this Burns Chronicle was sponsored by The Calgary Burns Club to commemorate the year in which the current Calgary Burns Club was reestablished.

The digital conversion service was provided by DDSR Document Scanning by permission of the Robert Burns World Federation Limited to whom all Copyright title belongs.

www.DDSR.com BURNS CHRONICLE 1977

BURNS CHRONICLE AND CLUB DIRECTORY

INSTITUTED 1891

· FOURTH SERIES: VOLUME II

CONTENTS

From the Editor 5 Burns and the American War of Independence Farquhar MacKenzie 6 The President 12 The Retiring President 13 A Burns Quiz Compiled by C. C. Easton 15 Mauchline Ware J. S. Buist 16 Art Competition Winners 22 Burns's Address to the Inquisitive Exhumers W. Porter-Young 23 Coldstream's Record Wm. Jackson 24 "Our Guest Tonight Is ... " (Rev. James Currie) Dorothy K. Haynes 28 Poems from "Bairnsangs" 32,69,83,86 Ttie Mouse's Reply May Harper 33 The Burns Room at the "Mitchell" Stewart Hunter 34 "Thrummy Cap" D. Wilson Ogilvie 38 At the Cauldron Linn (Letter) Alex B. Mciver 45 Alex. MacMillan Andrew Hoed 46 Burns In Selkirk (We Stand Corrected!) 48 A Study In Coincidence W. Porter-Young 49 Modern Scottish Poetry (B9ok Note) 52 50 Years of a Good Deed (Burnbank Masonic Burns Club) 53 Under the Influence John Rundle 55 Around the Clubs (Photographic feature) 56 Lang Sandy Wood J. L. Hempstead 60 Highland Mary Memorial 65 Anderson Wilson Memorial Fund 65 A Poet Apart Jane Burgoyne 66 To Russia Again G. A. 70 A Burns Garden (Letter) Alastair M. R. Hardie 73 Irvine Lasses 75 Book Reviews Cuthbert Graham 76 Robert Burns and Dundonald Robert Kirk 84 MacDiarmid and Burns Robert Peel 87 "A' the Airts" Club's Prize-winning Tableau (Photograph) 88 The Tannock Brothers Remembered Enez Logan 89 Improving the Chronicle (Letter) J. Shearer 90 The "Gentle Poet" of Loch Leven (Michael Bruce) John A. M. Muir. 91 Airdrie Club's Dinner (Photograph) 97 Burns Federation Office-bearers 98 List of Districts , 103 Minutes of Annual Conference 109 Club Reports · 124 Numerical List of Clubs on the Roll 165 Alphabetical List of Clubs on the Roll 201

The title photograph is from the Nasmyth portrait of Burns and is reproduced by courtesy of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Published by the Burns Federation, Kilmarnock. Printed by Wm Hodge Co Ltd, Glasgow. Price £1.25 paper bound-£1.50 cloth bound. ISSN 0307 8957

FROM THE EDITOR

WITH this issue I take my leave of the Federation as Editor of the Chronicle. Called in to pilot the Chronicle through the difficult period following the sudden death of Jimmy Veitch, I have found my almost two years in the Federation an invigorating experience. One the;me constantly asserted itself. The Chronicle is unique. Could any country other than Scotland sustain for over eighty years a publication_ devoted almost solely to the life and work of one - man? A man of giant stature, certainly, nevertheless the Chronicle, too, is a phenomenon. I take leave of it with affection and regard. And to the men and women of the Burns Federation, who have offered me so much of friendliness and fellowship, I give my sincerest thanks. R. ARTHUR DAW

5 Hand to hand fighting during the struggle for Bunker Hill, overlooking Boston, in June 1775. British losses in capturing this strategic hill were so heavy that th e battle amounted to a victory for the revolutionary forces.

Burns and the American War of Independence

by Farquhar Mackenzie

(From the very first Burns Chronicle of had not been acknowledged by the l 892 there has been shown consider­ British Parliament, Bums followed able interest in Burns's relationship intelligently the progress of the war; with America. To mark the Bi­ centennial of American Independ­ and strange indeed it would have been ence these various writings have been had Robert Burns, with his love of edited and brought together.) freedom and hatred of oppression, not been deeply affected by the great events A T the tirr.e of the Boston Tea Party, which were passing before him. Robert Burns was fourteen years The American War of Independence old- an age of maturity in the eight­ must have been the subject of consider­ eenth century. Burns was already a able study by Burns for, in 1786, he diligent reader of history, keeping wrote a satirical rhyrr.ed history in abreast of the rr_ain events in England, which he exhibited not only a compre­ on the Continent and in America. hensive grasp of military and political There is no doubt that in early man­ affairs, but also a keen insight into the hood, when the Americans had de­ personal characteristics of the soldiers clared. their independence, although it and statesmen concerned in it. This 6 The illustrations in this article are from steel of friendship and conciliation; Charles engravings in C. Mackay·s The History of the James Fox, gamester and opponent of United States of America and we are in­ the war-these and others pass in review. debted to Edinburgh University Library for Only a man widely read in contem­ the reproductions. porary history could have written, to the tune of Killiecrankie, the ten-verse poem is usually entitled A Fragment: poem beginning: When Guildford good, but in some "When Guildford good our Pilot stood, editions of his poems it is called The An' did our hellim thraw, man, American War. Tracing the trend of Ae nicht, at tea, began a plea, events from the Boston Tea Party in Within America, man. 1773, to the election victory of William Then up they gat the maskin-pat, wielded his poetic And in the sea did jaw, man; Pitt in 1784, Burns An' did nae less, in full Congress, brush with devastating skill. The Than quite refuse our law, man." historical personages mentioned in the poem include North, second Earl of Earlier, in a letter dated 21st June, Guildford, on whose motion the 1783, Burns wrote to his cousin, James Cabinet decided to retain the duty on Burness: "Since the unfortunate begin­ tea; Richard Montgomery, the gallant ning of this American War, and its as American general whose attack on unfortunate conclusion, this country Quebec resulted in his death; George has been, and still is, decaying very Montague, Duke of Manchester, fast." In the American and French who upheld the American cause; revolutions, there is no doubt where Edmund Burke, champion of a policy Burns's sympathies lay.

Washington crossing the ice-strewn Delaware. General Howe had put his forces into winter quarters at Trenton. An attack across the river on Christmas night, 1776, took him by surprise and cost him 1,000 prisoners. "

7 Burns believed-and his opinion was Burns never wavered in his estimate not an isolated one-that the real object of either the King or the American of Great Britain was to crush those cause and, a few years after peace came principles of liberty which were spread­ and the United States settled down to ing throughout the country, and which republican independence he, by way of were so dear to the Poet. Regarding a birthday salutation, could thus accuse inequality of opportunity as he did, the King and claim that by the stupidity Burns resented nepotism and abuse of of greedy taxation he had lost the New power. He bitterly felt and opposed World and left the impoverished the favours which were showered on Motherland with scarcely a sixpence . incompetents of high birth, whilst ("tester"). brilliant men of lower birth were doom­ Two years later, on the 22nd Novem­ ed to menial tasks. Although he upheld ber, 1788, Burns defended the American the monarchical system, he opposed cause and wrote thus in the Edinburgh the stupidity and greed of the Hano­ Evening Courant: varians. The parasitical conduct at Court and the restrictive electoral "I will not, I cannot, enter into the merits of the (Stuart) cause; but I dare say the system were anathema to him. American Congress, in 1776, will be The American War of Independence allowed to have been as able and as was therefore a source of hope and enlightened and, as a whole empire will inspiration to Burns. At its beginning, say, as honest, as the English Convention so had been the French Revolution. in 1688; and that the Fourth of July will But when the Bonapartists denied free- be as sacred to their posterity as the Fifth dom and equality to minorities and the of November is to us." excesses of the revolutionaries dimin- In the same vein, Edward Pinnington ished his hopes of the brotherhood of quotes a letter to the London Star, of man, Burns could look only to America 8th November, 1788, in which Burns for the realisation of freedom and takes up the American cause and con­ democracy · demns the British Government for Throughout his life Burns was a oppression. Burns goes on to predict political being and living in a country it possible that the posterity of the confronted by the American colonists, Colonials who fought for and won by France and by Spain, it was indeed independence "will celebrate the cen­ a most difficult time in which to criticise tenary of their deliverance from us, as the Monarch and to hound the Govern- duly and sincerely as we do ours from ment. Yet, from as early a time as the the oppressive measures of the wrong­ Kilmarnock Edition, Burns continued headed House of Stewart". the American th~me and, in the poem, In the closing years of his life Burns A Dream, ~e directly reproached the . could look only to America for the Monarch with the ~onduct and loss ·Of· fulfilment of his dream. The French the American colomes: had abused their new-won freedom but, "Your royal nest, beneath your wing in regard to the American colonists, the Is e'en right reft an' clouted, topic of Liberty still loomed large in And now the third part o' the string Burns's work. As an employee of the An' less will gang about it Government and with his Excise work Than did ae day. as his sole source of income, Burns was And now ye've gi'en auld Britain peace in no position to be critical of the Her broken shins to plaister; Establishment. Despite his being Your sair taxation does her fleece warned "to work, not think," he found Till she has scarce a tester." it impossible not to engage in politics 8 suffered British officers surrendering their arms to General Washington. The British forces , when major defeats, under Burgoyne, at Saragota, in Octob3r, 1777, and at Yorktown in 1781 of an Cornwallis was compelled to capitulate to Washington, each defeat involving the loss entire army. and contemporary events. an irregular Ode for General Washing­ In September, 1793, Burns wrote ton's birthd:iy." Anything more bitter Scots wha hae, inspired by Scotland's against George II, or more nearly "glorious struggle for freedo .n, associ ­ approaching rank disloyalty to the King ated with the glowing ideas of some and Government, Burns never penned. other struggles of the same nature, not That all hi s sympathies were with the quite so ancient"- that is, the struggle Americans, and that he held the King for American independence and the guilty of attempting a heinous wrong ideals which started the French Revolu­ and of entering upon a course leading tion. Jn forwarding a copy of Scots straight, had it been successful , to wha hae to the Earl of Buchan in 1794, monstrous oppression, goes now with­ Bums expressed what must have been out saying. Burns fe lt that the American the height of American sentiment in cause was just and if that involved his these words: " Liberty, thou art a prize taxing the reigning King with tyranny, truly, and indeed invaluable, for never the fault did not li e with him. He canst thou be too dearly bought." maintained the right, and held the Never did Burns run greater risk of rebellion justified, which aimed at punishment and imprisonment than liberty and justice. He saw in the when he composed his lines to cele­ American War of Independence a plain brate George Washington's birthday. question of right and wrong. Writing to Mrs. Dunlop on 2Sth June, It is in no way surprising that Perry 1794, he says: "The subject is Liberty: did not publish the ode in the Morning you know, my honoured friend, how Chronicle. lt thrills with the fiery dear the theme is to me. l design it as passion of an ardent lover of liberty; 9 the King is denounced as a tyrant-"the children who were not aliens and despot of Columbia's race"-while the foreigners to Burns, but kinsmen and, freed, victorious Americans are hailed until the war broke the bond, fellow­ as "sons of liberty", "brave as free" subjects and fellow-countrymen. who dared maintain the "Royalty of The lessons of the American Revolu­ Man". Had the Washington ode been tion were not lost on Burns, and he published or traced, as might easily drove them home to the governing have happened, not only re-examination class in his Address of Beelzebub to the and dismissal from the Excise, but President of the Highland Society. In punishment was inevitable: this poem the devil gibes at the attempt "No Spartan tube, no Attic shell, of the Highland Society to prevent five No lyre Bolian I awake; hundred Highlanders seeking escape 'Tis Liberty's bold note I swell, from feudal ties by migrating to Thy harp, Columbia, let me take. Canada. Viewing the poverty and See gathering thousands, while I sing, slave-like existence of the Scottish A broken chain, exulting bring, Highlanders, Burns sees the New World And dash it in a tyrant's face! as a means And dare him to his very beard, of their emancipation. And tell him, he no more is feared, Referring to the feudal conditions in No more the Despot of Columbia's the Highlands, Burns draws from the race. heroes of the emerging American A tyrant's proudest insults braved, nation: They shout, a People freed! They hail " ... Then up amang thae lakes and seas an Empire saved. They'll mak what rules and laws they please; Where is Man's godlike form? Some daring Hancock, Where is that brow erect and bold, or a Franklin, That eye that can, May set their Highland bluid a unmoved, behold ranklin'; The wildest rage, the loudest storm, That e'er created Some Washington again may head fury dared to raise! them; Avaunt. thou caitiff, servile, base, Or some That tremblest at a Despot's Montgomery fearless lead nod, them, Yet, crouching under the iron rod, Till (God knows Canst laud the arm that struck th' what may be effected insulting blow! When by such heads and hearts directed) Art thou of man's imperial line? Poor dunghill Dost boast that countenance sons of dirt an' mire divine? May to Patrician rights Each sculking feature answers, No! aspire." But come, ye sons of Liberty, It has been said that Bums hated Columbia's offspring, brave as free, war and loved peace but did not In danger's hour still flaming in the van: suggest means of securing it. Rather Ye know, and dare maintain, The he cherished the hope that some day · Royalty of Man." world-wide peace would prevail. He saw that the wars which were waged As with Scots wha hae, Burns sees a in his own time had their origin in the connection between Scotland and in-born yearning for liberty; he believed America's struggle for freedom and that if the nations granted this right­ independence, concluding the ode with to which all mankind was entitled-to a proud reference to the Scottish patriot, their subjects and to their neighbours, Sir William Wallace. Can one wonder the causes of war would vanish, and this then at the fierce scorn of the Washing­ conviction he embodied in the demo­ ton Ode? Both the brain and heart of cratic poem which he either wrote or the Mother Country were with her greatly improved, The Tree of Liberty: 10 "Wi' plenty o' sic trees, I trow, assuredly in harmony with Burns's The warld wad live in peace, man; expressed political sentiments. The sword wad help to mak' a plough, But let the last word be with two The din o' war wad cease, man; ordinary citizens of America, the country Like brethren in a common cause whose love of freedom and liberty We'd on each other smile, man, lauded. First, Dr. Osgood who , Burns And equal rights, and equal laws 1859 paid the tribute that "Burns is Wad gladden every isle, man." in one of the builders of the new civilisa­ So spoke Burns in his deep and sin­ tion of freedom and humanity". Then cere support for the struggle for Margaret Fuller Ossoli who summed American independence. During his up the American debt to Robert Burns lifetime he risked his own freedom to in these words: "Burns is full of the support the American cause and, after noble genuine democracy which seeks his death, the legend lived on. J. G. not to destroy royalty but to make all Lockhart, in his Life of Robert Burns, men kings, as he himself was, in nature relates that, according to neighbour­ and in action" . hood tradition, Burns gave great offence BIBLIOGRAPHY by demurring in a large mixed company "the health of BRUCE, WALLACE : "The Influence of Robert to the proposed toast, " Burns left the room in Burns on American Literature. William Pitt" ; and Chronicle, 1892. indignation because the society rejected WHJTE, A. C.: " American Appreciations of what he wished to substitute, namely, Burns." Burns Chronicle, 1911. "the health of a greater and better man, PrNN INGTO N, EDWARD: "The Politics ofBurns." George Washington". Whether this Burns Chronicle, 1912. incident actually occurred or not, the BROWN, E. S.: "The Political Ideas of Burns, story, printed as early as 1828, is Part I." Bums Chronicle, 1936. The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The independence of the United States was formally acknowledged by Britain at the Treaty of Versailles, in 1783.

II THE NEW PRESIDENT JUST when there was becoming a tendency for office-bearer elections to be; rather tame and cut-and-dry R. A. B. Mclaren affair:., the 1974 annual conference in Edinburgh provided a welcome 1976-77 change. There WAS a ballot and in continued on p . 14 12 THE RETIRING PRESIDENT (As the result of what is now referred to as "a lack of communication" the customary photograph of the President did not appear in our J 976 issue. James E. Inglis Fortunately we have this opportunity of rectifying the omission.) 1975-76 continued on p . 14 13 continued from p. 12 continued from p. 13

THE election of Jim Inglis as it R. A. B. McLaren was the choice President meant we had one of as Junior Vice-President. the youngest for quite some time to To his many friends in the move­ hold the top honour. Right well had ment it was a happy result; a well­ we been served by the older hands. merited tribute for all the years of But the cry was, understandably, for hard work he had put in on behalf of younger men to share in the ever­ the Federation and the whole Burns increasing work load. movement. Jim Inglis has done just that. In "Rab's" earliest association with the chair and on so many other the Burns movement was with the occasions he has filled the role · Ninety Burns Club, Edinburgh. He splendidly-alike capable and con­ was Secretary for twelve years (1943- scientious, ever courteous and kind. 55) and President in 1957. This was James E. Inglis was born in Edin­ following family tradition, for his burgh in 1919. Educated at Leith father R. D. Grant McLaren was Academy he began his working Secretary of the Ninety Club for 35 career with four years in a W.S. years, and President in 1910. office in Edinburgh. Before becoming Junior Vice­ In 1939 he joined the Royal Navy President of the Burns Federation in as a writer. He remained in the Sept. '74, "Rab" had held office in the service until 1953, leaving it with the Edinburgh District Association, in­ rankofCPO Writer. The years 1940-45 cluding that of President (1959-61). saw him serving in the Eastern He became Senior Vice-President of Mediterranean, in HMS Ajax, and the Federation in Sept. '75. taking part in the Battle of Cape "Rab" is Engineer Assistant Pur­ Matapan and the evacuations froni chasing Officer with a firm of paper-· Greece and Crete and eventually on making machinery engineers in Edin­ shore in the Suez Canal Zone. burgh. During the war he was an On leaving the R.N. he joined the engineer with the Northern Light­ Civil Service in Edinburgh. He is house Commission. now an Assistant Manager with the A man of varied interests and Department of Health and Social activities, he has been an elder of Security in Nottingham. Mayfield (Edinburgh) Church of Jim met his wife at Port Said, in Scotland since 1948; chairman of 1942, during war service. They have Mayfield Radio (Hospital Broad­ a son and a daughter. casting) Unit since 1973; and since Very active in Caledonian circles 1975 he has held office as Chairman since moving south, Jim has held of the Edinburgh branch of the Presidential office in both the Mans­ Royal Scottish Country Dance field and Retford Societies and has Society. been District Representative to the He is married, with two daughters. Executive Council since 1966. He As Junior and Senior Vice-Presi­ has also been President of the Scot­ dent "Rab" McLaren has displayed tish Presidents' Association. fine qualities of tact and discernment. Jim intends to continue to play an We wish him well in the year of active part in the future proceedings office on which he has embarked. of the Federation. 14 A Burns Quiz Compiled by C. C. Easton

1. Ayrshire was divided roughly into three districts. Two were Kyle and Carrick; what was the third? 2. When was the Bums Federation instituted? 3. Who was she and where did Burns meet "Handsome Nell", the subject of his first love song? 4. Burns had a fine ear for music and was fairly competent on one instrument. Which? 5. When financial and marital crises loomed, he planned to emigrate, to where? 6. During his Northern tour in 1787 he called one place a 'Lazy toun'. Can you name it? 7. How old was the Poet when he died-35, 36, 37, 38, 39? 8. One of his most-quoted lines is "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft a-gley". Where is it found? 9. Has the Federation ever held its annual conference in London? 10. In Edinburgh a meeting is reputed to have taken place between Burns and another giant in Scottish literature. Who was he? . 11. What was the Christian name of the Poet's only brother? 12. In his last illness Burns was sent by his doctor to a local health resort in the hope of an improvement. Where? 13. On his first arrival in Edinburgh, Burns erected a memorial to an earlier Scots poet-where is it to be seen and who was he? 14. Where do these famous lines occur? "But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed". 15. One of Burns's Edinburgh cronies (Smellie the printer) introduced him to a local military organisation, which was --? 16. On the father's side, Burns's family belonged to North-East Scotland. Where? How is the association perpetuated today? 17. Date and place, please, for the publication of his first book of poems? 18. When the Bard referred to the best song Scotland ever saw, what was the song and who was the composer? 19. As an exciseman a memorable incident gave Burns the chance to pen one of his best known songs. Song please and circumstances? 20. A famous romantic attachment was formed during the Edinburgh period. Who was the lady and in which of his works did Burns pay tribute to her? 21. The Poet is buried in Dumfries; so is his wife Jean Armour; and his father at Alloway. But who was his mother and where is she buried?

(Answers on page 54) 15 illauchline 117 are by J. S. BUIST '

JN the first Statistical Account of Scot- ferred engravings of scenery. land (1792), the Rev. William Auld­ William (1795-1847) and Andrew Burns's "Daddy" Auld-lamented post­ (1797-1869) were the youngest of five humously that his parishioners of children of William Smith, mason in Mauchline were at "a great disad­ Mauchline, and his wife Jean Merry. advantage" because there was no manu­ The brothers followed their father's facture in the village. They were, he trade. In the early 1820s, both still wrote, "willing to promote the improve­ bachelors, they were running a hone ment of agriculture, commerce and manufactory at Milton Mill, Stair, on manufacture," in all of which they were the north bank of the river Ayr. It has "making some progress". been assumed that the Smiths started It was not until the 1820s that Mauch­ as box-makers in Mauchline because line got the industry with which it was they wished to have their own source of to be most closely associated for more cases for their "Water of Ayr stones". than a century. In or about 1825 two This may have influenced them, but Mauchline men, William and Andrew what, by his own account, decided Smith, set up in the village as snuff-box them was Andrew's exploitation, if not makers. Out of this venture, in which actual invention, of a variant of the Andrew was and remained the leading pantograph, by which prints and pic­ spirit, grew a highly diversified industry tures could be brought down to the which at its heyday dominated the mar­ size of a snuff-box lid. ket for wooden souvenirs which were so Snuff-box making was already well much to the Victorian taste. established in Ayrshire, having started In the course of the diversification in Cumnock round about 1807, when which was the secret of their survival William Crawford, "a clever and ingeni­ three generations of the Smiths pro­ ous man" according to a contemporary's duced a seemingly endless variety of description, successfully reproduced the souvenirs in half-a-dozen styles of famous "Scotch hinge". This mechan­ decor. Their greatest success from the ism, a series of knuckles cut alternately late 1850s was in the production ofnick­ in the side and lid of the box, has never nacks, almost all of them useful as well been bettered for snuff-boxes and tea­ as decorative, embellished with trans- caddies. Until Crawford applied him­ self to it, the hinge had been the mono­ poly of Charles Stiven, of Laurence­ kirk, Kincardineshire. The author has been collecting Crawford was not the only "clever Mauchline Ware for the past twelve and ingenious man" in his part of Ayr­ years. The items of Burnsiana shown shire. By the time the Smiths set up in on these pages are only one aspect of Mauchline, snuff-boxes (decorated with his large collection. miniature paintings and pen-and-ink drawings, and in tartan) were a well- 16 established and still moderately pros­ earlier, tartan had overtaken oil paint­ perous industry in Cumnock, Auchin­ ing and pen-and-ink drawing in the leck and Catrine. The decline in snuffing decoration of the increasing range of had, however, already begun, and the Mauchline ware. The proscription of box-makers of these three villages were the tartans of the clans, one of the seeking to offset it by extending their severest aftermaths of the Forty-five, range to ladies' work-boxes, tea caddies, was lifted in 1782, but it was only after trinket boxes and (later) card- and that grotesquely comi.cal visit of George needle-cases. Relying chiefly on the IV to Edinburgh in 1822 that the tartan London market, they almost certainly craze, undiminished today, began. The lacked an adequate sales organisation. visit, brilliantly stage-managed by Sir They quite definitely lacked Andrew Walter Scott had (to· quote John Smith's knack of attracting distinguished Buchan) initiated "a golden age for the patronage. haberdashers. A bogus Celticism · The first application of. Andrew's became the rage, and Scottish houses, "profile machine", as he sometimes whose ancestors would have as readily called it, was to snuff-boxes, for which worn woad as the dress of their secular Birmingham, not London, was the chief foes, were provided by imaginative market. As early as 1829 William tradesmen with family tartans". opened a Birmingham warehouse which Others besides haberdashers joined later developed into a factory with in, including the Smiths-indirectly at independent production, mostly for the first as the printers of the 75 coloured English market, and some finishing of plates for the Vestiarium Scoticum articles made in Mauchline. (1842), that monumental work of Andrew was later to describe William imaginative antiquarianism by the self- · as "a man of the most excellent taste styled John Sobieski Stuart. Partly and of the most sober and industrious because of Sobieski Stuart's wilder habits". Sad to relate, the brothers flights of fancy, in which others were quarrelled. From 1843 till William's all too ready to follow him, the Smiths death four years later, each ran his own prepared, and published in 1850, their establishments in Mauchline and Bir­ Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and mingham, each producing the same Families ofScotland, Painted by Machin­ range of goods as the other, and each ery. Printed by McCormick and Gem­ claiming royal patronage on the basis of mell, Ayr Advertiser, it is dedicated to a warrant granted the joint firm in 1832 the President of the Society of Anti­ by William IV, at the request of the quaries of Scotland (the Marquis of second Marquis of Hastings. Breadalbane) and the Vice-Presidents The Mar­ death, his independent and Fellows of the Society. On William's already a well publicised was wound up. The firm W. & quis was business who~e immensely was reconstituted, the new'". patron of: the Smiths, A. Smith tartan buttons were named after "W" being Andrew's son William, then popular with clear him. The Marquis had even induced aged only 20, but already Prince Albert to his business and artistic talent his master and friend proofs of buttons under his "especial behind him. George Smith son of the put the deceased brother William, assumed patronage". charge of the firm's "mercantile busi­ The Smiths make great play of the ness" in Birmingham. The next 20 historical authenticity of the 69 tartans years saw the Smith's at the height of illustrated in their textbook. In fact their powers. they relied most heavily on the tartan By the late 1840s, perhaps even trade who, with the clan and anti- 17 TIU

SCOTTI ll Kl~ EP ' .\K F.. A hinged case made about 1885 by W. and A. Smith for a Glasgow hone-maker. Left- The Smiths bound many TllE ' 0 1\ books in decorated wooden boards but published only on e. this edition of Burns's songs (in the 1850's) . Bottom left- A rolled tape casket. Below­ One of a pair of vases with views of Mauchline.

lllAUClll.fNE, AYRSlllr. r. :

'W'ILI.tAK AND ANDREW S MITH.

18 quarian sources they consulted, were all too willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of a picturesque sett. Now superseded, even forgotten, it served its day as a standard work of a kind. Its chief merit was, and remains, the brilliance of the illustrations. "Mauch­ line Machine Paintings," the Smiths explained, was "a weaving with colours". "Exactly as each thread of the weft is successively introduced so each line of colour in . . . the Tartans is drawn in succession, and thus pro­ duces the desired result by the same harmonious co-mingling of the primary colours." The publicity and prestige resulting from the Authenticated Tartans was by the Smiths' success at the Nothing that might attract the tourist was reinforced article having an easily International Exhibition in London, in neglected, with every identifiable purpose. The Burns portrait 1851. The Smiths exhibited "a variety a brooch. chiefly {above), after Nasmyth, adorned of Scotch fancy woodwork, made Below is a bezique marker. from the wood of the sycamore tree: consisting of snuff-boxes, cigar-cases, card-trays, writing-folios, books bound r in wood, candlesticks, &c., ornamented in different styles". They were awarded a " prize medal", the only one to go to 10• Ayrshire. At that time the Smiths em­ ployed about eighty artisans. These 2.0• were local people. According to William, "We have more than once and 30• brought hands from Birmingham London, but our best workmen have been reared by ourselves". He left the 40• following description of the business at mid-century: 50• ·SOO " Our premises are situated in a gar­ den, light and airy ; the people enjoy 60• 600• health far above the average, are all cleanly in their persons and sober in 700• ._01. or lt'on­ their habits ; the girls are so superior fi•o•1""' to factory girls generally that their Gavin Hamilton. This was all plied souvenirs decorated with French most appropriate, considering that the and American views as part of an exten­ Smiths were about to embark on a new sive export drive-they had Paris agents style of decor for their woodware-the for many years-and one can occasion­ transferred engravings that look so ally pick up, in this country, these foreign effective on the creamy white of syca­ souvenirs, identifiable as Mauchline­ more wood. made by their workmanship. I have The application of engravings to seen no examples of the transfer ware wooden surfaces might have begun a they are said to have exported to century earlier than it did, had there Australia. been a market for goods so decorated. I have in my collection souvenirs The transfer process was discovered decorated with 41 different views of about 1750, and its application to pot­ places in the Burns Country. All are tery followed almost at once. All my prints except for one photograph of the research suggests that transfer decora­ Auld Brig o' Doon by Archibald tion of Mauchline ware, which is not Brown, a Mauchline man who opened mentioned as one of the styles exhibited the Caledonian Box-works in Lanark by the Smiths at the 1851 Exhibition, in 1866 and used his own photographs began about 1858. This coincides with to decorate his products. In weight of the opening up of Britain to the new numbers and variety of engravings, the class of tourist created by the first Burns shrines rank thus: The Cottage railway boom. A wooden J,licknack where Burns was born (eight different decorated with a local view made an views of the exterior and three of the attractive souvenir of one's travels, interior), the Monument (10) and especially when it purported to be made Alloway Kirk (four). There are alw of local wood. pieces with views of: the Auld Brig o' The tourist boom came timeously Doon, Scene on the Doon, the Twa for the Smiths. The popularity of their Brigs o' Ayr and Tam o' Shanter and tartan ware, on Andrew's own admiss­ Souter Johnnie (in their familiar effigies). ion in 1850, was waning in England, Engravings of Mauchline and neigh- 20 bourhood make a pleasant series: the engraving of Mossgiel) described thus: house in the village where Burns and "During the residence of Burns at Jean Armour lived after their marriage, Mossgiel and for 40 years afterwards Nanse Tinnock's, Mossgiel, Balloch­ the House was sheltered from the East myle and the nearby Ballochmyle and West.Winds by two rows of haw­ Viaduct (completed in 1845) with an thorn trees from the Wood of which early engine chuffing across. Other this Memo Book is warranted to have Mauchline views are: High Street, been made." New Road (where the Smiths' had With the new market for cheap souv­ their box-works) and Barskimming enirs came an extension of the range of House and Netherplace. the Smiths' production. Andrew once today are ex­ said they were making "every article Comparatively rare to of a lithograph bust portrait of you can almost conceive it possible amples admittedly extensive, Burns (after Nasmyth) used by the make". My own, on a brooch) collection contains over 100 different Smiths, either singly (as be Burns association engrav­ types of article, many of which can or flanked by designs­ ings (as on a volume of Burns's poems). sub-divided into different are copies of the small books, boxes, games and toys, house­ Even rarer and sewing Scottish Keepsake (subtitled The Songs hold articles, knitting Bard) published by the accessories, personal articles, trinket­ of the Ayrshire and one for sale in wooden covers. holders, writing accessories Smiths showing signs of the Vic­ unclassifiable gavel As elsewhere in Scotland, use. Every article has an immediately torian passion for named "Association" identifiable purpose, even the miniature and "relic" woods found a ready cradle (for for wheelbarrow and a miniature response in the Smiths' production dressing-table odds and ends). In every the Burns Country, with "Wood Grown were attuned to the and (much way the Smiths on the Banks of the Doon" domestic spirit of their age. "Wood Grown on the less common) built himself Banks of the Ayr". I have a piece made In 1862 Andrew Smith of "Wood which Grew within the Rail­ a new house-with the uncompromising name of Box Villa-in Barskimming ing of the Burns Monument"-could to be more tenuous? Road, Mauchline, clearly minded association of his industry. Four in Ayrshire enjoy the fruits I have found scepticism years later William's Springfield Villa, about the genuineness of the Doon and was ready for him and unjustified con­ in Townhead, Ayr woods, probably his, wife and their six children. Then sidering how many small souvenirs crowded in, thick and fast. trunk. In any misfortunes could be got of one tree after of the anonymous sycamore, On May 23, ·1867 William died case, most 40. On Janu­ the Smiths' staple raw material, was a short illness, aged only collected in various parts ary 13, 1869 his wife died. On June 10 blown timber whom he of Ayrshire and carefully matured at Andrew lost his wife Agnes, had married in Tarbolton in 1821 while the box-works. survived Unusual Mauchline association/relic still a hone-maker. Andrew woods are: "Wood grown in Gavin her by less than three weeks. Hamilton's garden" and "Wood from At this juncture the natural successor the house in Mauchline which was the as head of W. & A. Smith would have first home of Robert Burns and Jean been Andrew's last surviving son James, Armour after their wedding in 1788" who had trained as a box-maker. James, (both light oak), and my favourite (on however, died in 1875 without appar­ a memorandum book which bears an ently having taken any share, financial 21 or managerial, in the business, probably hi.s hand at diversification, probably because of poor health-he died of with some success. Unfortunately he "phthisis" after a year's illness. At lacked the inventiveness and com­ this juncture the family were fortunate mercial acumen so pronounced in his to have in their employment, a Mauch­ grandfather and father. line man David McQueen, who had The business, though diminishing, entered Andrew Smith's employment survived the first war. A fire in the late as a clerk in 1867. 1920s destroyed the Smiths' eight McQueen became Manager of the tartan-ruling machines and stopped Mauchline box-works in 1876, while their own production of tartan paper. George Smith was in charge in Bir­ A second fire in 1933 was the end of the mingham (and appears to have been road for William, at 72. After pro­ chief proprietor, the other being William longed hesitation he sold out to three Smith's trustees). Between them Mc­ local men, and W. & A. Smith (1937) Queen and George Smith held the Ltd. was formed. The business promised business together adequately, without well, and employed about a dozen men breaking much new ground. McQueen and six women. But the capital for new continued as works manager, and machinery was not forthcoming; the family man of business in everything firm went into liquidation. short of legal matters, until 1887. The stock and machinery were sold, William Smith, Andrew's grandson, and the name of W. & A. Smith dis­ then took over at the age of 25. appeared after 114 years. So too did Substantially, this last of the box­ the possibility of reviving an industry making Smiths also conducted a holding whose products are now very much to operation, particularly until the death ·the taste of an age which has just of his Birmingham second-cousin in enough sense to see the stupidity of 1902, and the closing of the Birmingham cocking snooks at the Victorians. branch in 1904, left him in sole charge. In the last decade of the old, and the first of the new, century the fancy wood­ ware trade was in a decline which swept away successively Wilson & Amphlet and John Davidson & Sons, the two Art Competition 1976 other Mauchline box-works, and Mac­ Prizewinners were as follow and in kenzie & Meikle, Brown's successors . addition twenty-four Certificates of at the Caledonian Works in Lanark. Merit were awarded:- It has been suggested that an upsurge in German competition was responsible lst-Robert Nicholson, St. Cuth­ for the decline of the industry in Scot­ bert's School, Hutchison Crossway, land. A much more relevant cause was Edinburgh. the postcard craze, which reached its 2nd-Ian Penman, Alloway Primary incredible peak in the early 1900s. But School, Alloway. the simple explanation was that public taste was now increasingly sophisticated. 3rd-Ruth Pelham, Dean Park Prim­ I have been told in Ayrshire that the ary School, Balerno, Midlothian. last William, a bachelor and independ­ 4th-Diane Thomson, Sanday School, ent of the box-works for his livelihood, Sanday, Orkney. let things slide. This may have been true in his later years in business, but 5th-Neil Gardiner, Glebe Primary before 1914 he does seem to have tried School, Kirk Venne!, Irvine. 22 Burns's Address to his lnqui.sitive Exhumers of her Armour, widow of Robert Bums, had died. She was to be buried in the mausoleum Jean funeral and with husband in Dumfries churchyard. On 31st March, 1834, the night before the of relatives, a number of gentlemen entered the mausoleum and opened the coffin the permission and the remains of the poet. Dr. Archibald Blacklock removed the skull of Burns containing mould and obtain prepared it for Mr. James Fraser, later Bailie Fraser, to make a plaster of Paris cast and devised a cast. Mr. George Combe, of the Phrenological Society of Edinburgh, studied the the Museum of an elaborate analysis of Bums's character and mental capacity. The cast is in Antiquities, Edinburgh. Ye've passed my heid frae han' tae han' An' measured it for length and span, Syne, ye jaloused aboot the man Aince held it high; But he's no' there in box or bane- Sae pit it by. An empty heid ! Withoot the een That lichted at the sicht o' Jean, Or, aiblins, some ither sonsy quean­ Just ane or twa- But, certes ! could they see me noo, They'd swoon awa! An empty heid; nae mind tae use The kindlin' fire o' Coila's muse. Nae mair tae ponder nor enthuse By Doon or Nith. An' gawpin' there ye haud the husk, An' no' the pith. Sae much tae say I havena' said; Sae much tae dae I never. did- 1 ettled, but the daur and deed Are no' aye paired; An' better chiels, wha'd o'ertap me, Nae better faired. Sae lid the kist and clap the grave, An' lea' me steeket wi' the lave, A daimen icker in a thrave- As Paul micht say-* Tae mool awa', but rise again, That Comin' Day! W. PORTER-YOUNG. *"As Paul micht say"; A reference to I Corinthians 15: 35ff. 23 COLDSTREAM'S RECORD

80 YEARS-ONLY THREE SECRETARIES by Wm. Jackson

JNDecember 1888 a gallant band of23 were sent at intervals to members Burns enthusiasts met under the serving in the Forces. The War over, chairmanship of the local doctor, with the annual supper was resumed on the a view to forming a Burns Club in 26th January 1920, with an ever Coldstream. It was agreed to form a increasing membership. Club, and Dr. Dinsmore was appointed On the 7th May 1926, the Club its first Chairman. placed a bronze plaque on the south Mr. Willie Gray, who was the prime wall of the Tweed Bridge to com­ organiser of this meeting, was appointed memorate the visit of Robert Burns to its first Secretary and Treasurer. Willie Coldstream during his Border Tour of was a great and knowledgeable expon­ 1787, exactly to the day, 139 years ent of the Bard. Each member enroll ed before. Mr. Robert Murray, a member was asked to donate the sum of 2/6 to of the Club, acted as Chairman in the open the Treasurer's account book. The absence of Lord Home. He asked the following year the membership fee was gathering to imagine two figures stand- reduced to one shi lling. The first Supper, on the 25th January 1888, * 1976 banquet- £2·50 per head and No dram. comprised five courses and a dram. Cost 2/6. * It was a tragedy for the Club that the original Minute Book went missing during the 1914-18 War, but the original Treasurer's Book is still in our possession. The Coldstream Burns Club went from strength to strength until the 1914-18 War broke out. The annivers- ary suppers were in abeyance during the War years, but the Club was sti ll intact, and parcels of food a nd cigarettes ! .

Willie Gray, the first Secretary. He held office for 52 years. If any Club has had a longer-serving Secretary the Chronicle would welcome the information. 24 James M . Marjoribanks, Secretary from 1945 to 1955. In addition to his secretarial duties he was also a very competent singer of Burns songs.

ing on the Gallowsknowe Brae (site of public hangings many years ago) on the north side of the bridge, overlooking the River Tweed, towards the English Border. The younger, a vivacious lad of 20 years, and the other nearly ten years older. These two were none other than Robert Bums and his close friend, Robert Ainslie. They gazed in rapture on the scene spread out before them, into England and southward to the Cheviot Hills. Then, crossing over the bridge to put foot on English soil for the first time, Miss Margaret Gray, Willie's daugh­ Bums bared his head, sank reverently ter, lends this statue to the Club each upon his knees, and with uplifted year, when it forms the centrepiece at hands, looking towards his native our annual banquet. I may mention Scotland, breathed forth the passion that Margaret, now 83 years young, still of his heart in these Jines: renders, "Bonnie Wee Thing" most beautifully. Oh Scotia; my dear, my native soil; War having broken out again in For whom my warmest wish to Heaven is 1939, the annual banquet was again sent ; the rustic toil, suspended, but as in World War I, Long may thy hardy Sons of its mem­ Be blessed with health, and peace, and sweet Club again kept in touch with content: bers by sending them parcels of food and cigarettes. The plaque was unveiled by Mr. Alas, in 1940, Willie Gray passed Willie Gray, Club Secretary. away, thus terminating his record span Three years later, in 1929, Willie of 52 years as Secretary. The Town, Gray received a remarkable honour. the Club and hundreds of Borderers To mark his 41 years as Secretary, mourned his passing. during which time he had not missed a No Secretary was appointed during single Supper and as a token of grati­ the remaining War years, but Club tude and affection, he was presented affairs were in the capable hands of a with a three-foot-high statue in bronze, member of Committee, Mr. James standing on a two-foot-high base. Marjoribanks. In 1945, with the War Making the presentation, the Club now over, Jim was appointed Secretary Chairman, the then Lord Home, said and Treasurer to the Club. Jim gave he considered Willie Gray's record of his best and proved a worthy suc­ unique, not only in Scotland, but per­ cessor. In addition to his duties as haps in the whole world of Bumsiana. Secretary he was a very competent 25 The writer of this article, Bil I Jackson. He has already held office for twenty years plus- from 1956. He joined the Club in 1929 and cherishes the hope · of being able to attain his half-century of membership.

singer of Burns songs, and sang at most He joined the Club in its second year, of the annual banquets. Regretfully, 1889, and he too was an active member he found it necessary to tender his of Committee, and also a very enthusi­ resignation in 1955, having completed astic singer, appearing in the programme ten years as Secretary. the year he joined up until he passed I was appointed Secretary in 1956. away in 1939. 1 had joined the Club in 1929, and it One of my first duties as Secretary had always been my ambition to become was to suggest to my Chairman and Secretary. Then it happened, and here Committee that we become affiliated am I, still battling on after 20 years! * to the Burns Federation. This they were Tt may be of interest that I have never pleased to do, and I was instructed to been absent on a Burns Night since make application for membership. Mr. joining the Club. If only I can exist Tom Dalgleish was Secretary and for another three years I will have Treasurer of the Burns Federation at attained my 50 years of membership, that time, and because of Tom's associ­ thus following in my father's footsteps. ation with Coldstream, where he started his very successful forestry career, he was so pleased to receive our appli­ *The office of Secretary-Treasurer is now split. cation that he paid our first fees. Mr. Gid Rodger has held the post of Treasurer since 1971. His services, which are highly Since then we have never regretted valued , have greatly lightened my labours.- having become affiliated. I have missed W. J. Northumberland. It bears the Nasmyth 26 only one Conference since we becan:e head of Burns, in enamel and also the members, and that year I was in Coldstream coat of arms, suspended by a Australia at the time. While there I blue and white sash bearing bars carry­ had the pleasure of staying with Mrs. ing the names and period of service of Stella Brown, the Secretary of Mel­ former Chairmen. This is a much bourne Burns Club. A wonderful lady! treasured possession. The Conferences have been a great We have a me:nbership of 124, and inspiration to me. I have enjoyed each always a waiting list. We carry out an one of them and have met and made exclusively Burns programme, with the friends with many of the most charming dignity that such functions merit, and personalities in the movement. don't tolerate any noise or interruptions To mark the Burns Bi-Centenary year or bawdy story-telling. 1959, I presented a Record Book to the The speaker is allowed twenty-five • Club. In this we keep a record of each minutes approximately, and the junior guest speaker, and other items of toasts four minutes which permits a importance to the Club. Each speaker fairly long programme to be executed has his photograph on one page and· in reasonable tirr.e. I give great credit on the other he writes a comment on to our Chairman, Jim Davidson, for his visit. This has proved a valuable his efficiency in carrying through our possession. programmes so smoothly. It is a difficult job-as every Secretary Three weeks after our Supper we run knows-to keep up a high standard of our "Ladies' Night", which is really a orators year after year, but here again I mixed night. We started this on the have the glorious chance of meeting occasion of the Bi-Centenary year, possible speakers at the Conferences. simply to bring in the ladies. We I have made it my policy to engage my thought this was for one year only, but speakers at least two years and, some­ the event proved such a success that we times, three years ahead. This has have had to make it an annual. At this proved a tremendous asset to me in the we don't have so many speeches but a last twenty years, and so far I have wealth of songs and poetry. This year never been let down. there was a capacity attendance of 120, I should like to mention here that in and I may say that all tickets were sold January 1961 our Club was the reci­ out two weeks before the date. pient of a most beautiful Chairman's We are all very proud of our Burns Jewel. This was designed and formally Club in Coldstream and I think you presented to our Club by one of our will agree that we have been well enthusiastic members, Mr. Harry endowed with long-serving officials, Young, who resides in Monkseaton, as the following on record will show.

Chairmen .. Lord Dunglass · 1906-1921 And as the Earl of Home, 1922-1949 (In all 42 years) The Rev. J. G. L. Christie, M.C. 1950-1955 (5 years) Ex Provost H. D. Langmack, D.L. 1956-1968 (12 years) Ex Provost J.M. Davidson, B.Sc. 1969-1976+(7 years+) Secretaries (3 only) Mr. Willie Gray 1888-1940 (52 years) Mr. J. M. Marjoribanks 1945-1955 (10 years) Mr. Wm. Jackson 1956-1976+(20 years)+ 27 - Photo D. C. Thomson Ltd. The Rev. JAMES CURRIE, J.P. , M.A., B.D. "OUR GUEST. TONIGHT IS " There is hardly anyone, in Burns circles or out of them, who hasn't heard THE REV. JAMES CURRIE is one of the Rev. James Currie. As well as of the most sought-after men in the being a much sought-after speaker at country as a Burns Supper speaker. Burns Suppers he is a minister whose Some Burnsians criticise his approach influence extends far beyond his own to the subject-too little Burns and parish; an indefatigable writer to news­ too many jokes. He answers such papers; a television personality, racon­ criticism in this interview. teur, farmer- the list is overpowering. One hears of him leading a ceili By DOROTHY K. HAYNES. dh on an adventure cruise, or organising youth clubs, or counselling couples whose 28 marriage has gone on the rocks; and the clergy; but somehow he manages there are many other facets of his work to find time to portray his passionate that he doesn't talk about much, purely devotion to Burns. To date he has because they belong to the unseen but spoken at at least 750 Suppers. The very rewarding grind which falls to the very first one was at St. John's Episcopal lot of any dedicated minister. Church in Edinburgh. Since then he Take the end of January, 1976. In has become so popular that he's booked the space of a week he was on TV with solid during the Burns season' till 1978. Larry Marshall; he addressed the One of the men who fired his enthu­ haggis in very distinguished company, siasm, and taught him much, was the at a late night TV Burns Supper; he late John Gray, President of the Ayr took a TV service on Sunday morning, Burns Club, and curator of the Tam o' and officiated at a Songs of Praise Shanter Museum, in Ayr. "He was the recording in the evening. Next day, most knowledgeable man on Burns sandwiched between other engagements, I have ever known," said Mr. Currie. he was coming to have lunch with me. "He was a good friend ... he would What would he be like, I wondered, talk and talk, and I was just like a off-screen? Professionally kind? A slick sponge. I absorbed it all. I've met some retailer of jokes? At least, I thought, very fine people in the Burns move­ he would be a quick worker. He'd ment." made the appointment over the phone I was interested to hear Mr. Currie's in thirty seconds flat. views on the poet as a man. The Kirk I needn't have worried. The Currie in Rabbie's day was not keen on the charm, the ease of getting on with ploughman who wrote derisive verse people, is entirely natural. He's a big and had amorous on-gauns with the man, much taller than he seems on lassies; but on TV I heard Mr. Currie television; white-haired, with bushy hotly defend Burns in spite of his trail dark eyebrows; very relaxed; and right of illegitimate children. "He never left away we seemed to have lots to talk a bairn. He owned them all, and looked about, so much so that we dropped after them. You must admit that." subjects and took up others, and then To me, he modified this a little. went back to the beginning again. "Burns was a man of paradox, you Mr. Currie is minister in the village know. · In spite of everything he was a of Dunlop, in Ayrshire; "as difficult to strangely moral person." He nodded reach as Heaven," he explained, which as I remarked that it took two to make is why he came to me, instead of expos- a bargain. "He would never accost and ing me to the hazards of public trans- take advantage of a woman. Mind you, port. He was formerly at St. James's, I didn't like the business of Anna Park. Pollok, with the Rev. J. Clarence At_ that time, he. was married to Jean Finlayson, tending a soaring member-···' Armour, and he should have been ship of about 2,600. After 17 years he content with that. But no, he had to was called to Dunlop, and chosen from go roving off again ... I can't condone a list of 36 applicants. During his that." ministry he has married over 7,000 "How do you think he'd react to the couples, and every year has officiated modern set-up; women's lib, and all at about 300 each of funerals and that?" baptisms. He laughed. "I'd say that he saw it This is enough to keep any man busy, coming. And he probably thought it remembering that Mr. Currie's ministry wasn't necessary, women being what is not limited to the routine demands on they are. I think he'd get a good laugh 29 at it. He'd a great sense of humour, be pulled up by the sight of this merry you know." IPinister holding up a glass of lemonade. Mr. Currie himself has a good sense (John Laurie, during an STV Burns of humour-almost too good, some· of Supper, recited Tam o' Shanter, spon­ his critics think. "Ever heard Currie taneously reached over and indicated doing a Burns Supper?" some of them Currie at the words, say. "You get ten minutes of Burns and "... Souter Johnny, forty minutes' jokes." His ancient, trusty, drouthy cronie." "That's not true," he said indignantly. Nobody was more delighted than Currie "I do tell jokes, but if you listen you'll himself, who roared with laughter and find that every one is relevant to the lifted his glass of orange juice in subject. You don't just reel off any acknowledgement.) jokes at a Burns Supper." There was, and is, a valid case for This remark comes from one who, so condemning Burns Suppers as boozy far as Suppers are concerned, is a great excuses for a drink, and also for criticis­ upholder of the status quo. A Burns ing those who attend as Burns fans on Supper, says Mr. Currie, should not be one night of the year, and then forget dreich. (I bet none of his are!) You've him until next January; but Mr. Currie got to have the right approach; teach says-and he should know-that the your audience to appreciate Burns, but drink aspect is giving way to a more even more, enjoy him. genuine interest in Burns. "Drink is "The Burns clubs are like kirks," playing a subordinate part now. And he says. "You get some awful bores, I'll tell you another thing; we're getting but you do get some excellent reciters more and more young people roped in. and singers. I love to hear the Burns This year there was a tremendous num­ songs sung properly. You should never ber of young folk doing Tam o' Shanter. rush them; always take them easy; Of course, Burns is a minority interest but-there's one thing I can't stand." among the young, but it's wonderful I waited curiously. how it's spreading." "Print this in capitals, and underline This may be because, as he says, it. I CAN'T STAND OTHER SONGS Bums has never been acceptable to the AT BURNS SUPPERS!" Establishment. Youth is a rebellious "But surely-" time, and Burns was a rebel. But it "Oh, you get them! One woman sang may also be because of speakers like a Burns song, and then she announced Mr. Currie himself. He is the first that she was going to sing one that man to admit that Burns scholars Burns hadn't composed, but she was can be both boring and bored during sure he would have liked. And do you formal and lengthy tributes. I have done know what it was? 'My.Aiu Folk!' . my own share of yawning over the cold Terrible! And-do you know-some remains of the haggis. even recite their own poems!" Mr. Currie has his own way of getting It would take a brave man, I feel, to the message across. He has his basic set his talents alongside Burns; and outline of Burns, as poet, farmer, doubly brave to do it in the presence of passionate lover, patriot, and so on; the Rev. James Currie! but he keeps it light, holds his audience's If Mr. Currie is a Burns traditionalist, attention, which is perhaps why some­ there is one point on which he goes his one made that crack about the forty own way. He is a teetotaller. Those minutes of jokes. One feels that Burns who feel that Burns cannot be toasted himself would have preferred it that in anything weaker than whisky would way. Mr. Currie is not a Holy Willie. 30 He is well able to defend himself. checked likenesses in photographs, cast Someone once said to him, "Aye, an approving eye over the cats, and Currie, you make them laugh, but I helped to clear the table after eating his make them cry." lunch with a gratifying appetite. His "Yes," said the minister, "but which energy is all the more remarkable when would Burns rather be at?" you consider that he has suffered a He himself can tell some grand severe heart attack. "I'm living on stories of the vicissitudes of these cele­ borrowed time," he said simply, "and brations. You never get two the same! now every day that passes is just There was the grocer who, after address­ glorious." ing the haggis, stuck his knife into it Perhaps his simplicity and enthusiasm with such force that it went through the stem from his farming ancestry. He has haggis, through the plate, and lodged a farm on Arran-take off the clerical firmly in the table! (Mr. Currie, on collar, give him an open-neck shirt and the other hand, dissects his delicately but gum-boots, and you see those broad firmly, like a hungry surgeon.) Then shoulders swinging over the fields. there was the woman who was reciting "You know," he said, "Wordsworth "To a Mouse". The recitation deteri­ deplored the fact that Burns never orated into hysterics when a real mouse wrote a poem about Arran ..." ran across the stage. From time to time, it was necessary But the one I like was about the to lead the topic back to Mr. Currie Supper in Copenhagen. A flamboyant himself. When pressed, he will trot out Scot leaped up to propose his toast, one a list of accomplishments with a sort foot on the chair, one on the table, and of casual pride. "I dedicated the Cairn the company dutifully followed suit. at Harviestoun Castle at Dollar in 1973. After drinking, he tossed his glass over Oh, and I take parties to the Holy Land his shoulder. The proprietor gazed in every year." This is a formidable task, silent horror, lest the guests should all involving the shepherding of about 90 throw their glasses away, but it was all people, and getting in touch with other right. The waiter kept his cool beauti­ organisers so that not a minute is fully, and brought another glass as if wasted, and there is no overlapping of that sort of thing happened every day! plans. This year is his 19th trip. Mr. Currie first came to the fore as a He can tell stories about his experi­ speaker at a meeting in the Assembly ences there too. On a hilltop in Samaria Hall in Edinburgh. It was the Home a young boy tried to sell him a soldier's Board night of the General Assembly, cap badge. After the transaction the boy and the hall was filled. There were many surprised everyone by reciting "My distinguished speakers that night. He Heart's in the Highlands". was asked to speak on life in a new In spite of his impressive catalogue housing area. It was a turning point in of things done not only well, but very his life. Invitations flowed in, and well, Mr. Currie doesn't boast. Indeed, since then his engagement book has had he is at great pains not to boast. "I can few blanks. hold up my hand to Heaven and swear The secret of his success lies, I think, that I don't do it for effect," he said; in the warmth of his personality, and the to which I couldn't help relpying, "Well, extraordinary quickness of his percep­ why shouldn't you? It works!" tion. Almost anyone I mentioned in This naturally led to the question I conversation . he knew, and usually had been dying to ask. "What do your liked. In seconds, he had made himself congregation think of having a cele­ at home, asked about the family, brity, a TV personality, for a minister?" 31 "Ah well," said Mr. Currie soberly, stay where I'm not wanted," he told me "that's a good question. Some of them "but I'll know when aren't I'm not wanted'. on with it at all." Like Jock Stein, he says, he'll know I was curious to learn why. I didn't when Celtic don't need him any more." ask him if the congregation felt at all Not bad for a Rangers supporter! neglected, because I was quite positive It will be a long time before Mr. that they weren't. The man may be a Currie is neither wanted nor needed. whirlwind, but I have a feeling his own A public figure he may be but this in kirk lies tucked secure in his heart. It no way detracts from his dedication as is a small village church, and in passing a minister. I would have known this I had asked him if he was sorry to leave w_ithout hearing, him preach or seeing Pollok. him take a service. I'm going by my "Oh, I was heartbroken," he said. :first pleasant impression, and by some­ "I loved Pollok. But . . . some people thing that cropped up in conversation. get awfully angry when I say that. We were discussing a series of articles They don't like to hear me talking he'd written, a series which had un­ about it. I just told them, though, loosed on him an avalanche of letters, 'Don't ever be annoyed when a man and I'd asked him if he'd been well says he loved the place he left. The paid for it. "I'd have done it for time to worry is when you get a minister nothing," he said. "It was part of my who hated his last congregation and ministry." wanted to get away. The odds are they We were still talking as he dashed out wanted to get rid of him too.' " to his car, en route for Ayr and yet So what about Dunlop? another Burns Supper. "Well, .d'you know what a woman said to me? She said, 'You know, Mr. Currie, people say you've put Dunlop THE GOWK on the map; but Dunlop doesn't want to be put on Born a' unwanted, growing enchanted, the map. We were far Singing ma better before you came.' " lane in the grassy green "That," I commented, schaw, "is the kind Aften you hear of person who gets the Kirk a bad me, aften mislear me, name.'' Luik for me quick for I'll suin be awa. "But she wasn't even in the Kirk! I Afrikay ca's me, sooth-awa draws me, wouldn't have minded if she'd come to Lang lang the winter, cauld, cauld the worship-" snaw, "Oh well, then, you don't have to But whair I am fl.eein the simmer's no bother about her. That's just her deein, opinion.'' -The bonny bricht sun's never wantin "No.'' I could see Mr. Currie had ava. been deeply hurt. "She said that a lot But May's bonnie mornin will see me of other people felt the same, but she returnih · was the only one who had the nerve to Back to the glen whaur the burnie rins say it to my face. So I resigned. I slaw, resigned from the ministry, and all my Then joyfu ma singin the echo sets committees .. .'' ringin His resignation was not accepted. Cuckoo! Lift your hairt up, the simmer's The Presbytery Clerk was quickly on aye braw. his doorstep and argued with him till THOMAS SANDY ROSS at last the minister gave in. "I'll riot (From Bairnsangs) 32 THE MOUSE'S REPLY

WHEN Bum's plough turned up a mouse's nest the incident led him to compose a much-quoted poem. But it occurred to Mrs. May Harper, of Keith, that this was a one-sided philosophy which Burns was proclaiming and she was led to compose the following verses. . 1 They were written for a Keith Townswomen's Guild competition six or seven years ago, but Mrs. Harper thought they were not good enough to enter. Her sister-in-law had a higher opinion of them than the composer and the verses were read at last year's Burns Supper of Mulben WRI. That was the poem's first airing. Mrs. Harper has kindly said that the Chronicle might print it-if it were thought good enough! We are happy to publish it. Perhaps it should be added that Mrs. Harper is eighty-five years of age!

Ye muckle, thochtless, hammerin' brute, How could ye cruelly turn me oot O' my wee hoose sae snug and cute, This caul, caul nicht, I wad richt fain gie you a clout, Wi a' my micht.

Ye speak o' nature's social union, Which coonts for nocht in my opinion, For wee! we ken it's man's dominion, O'er a' the earth, That causes a' the strife and trible, As sure as death.

Ye speak o' thievin', Robbie man, Twas a' dished oot wi' generous haun, By him abun, wha made the plan, E'en for a moose Tae get a nibble noo an then, In his ain wee hoose.

My hoosie's scattered far and wide, I ·dinna see far I can ·ofde, "There's naething for't bit rin and hide, In some quate neuk. For shelter has been promised a', In His big book.

Ye think I'm blessed compared wi thee, The truth o' that I canna see, If ye had just behaved like me, O'er a' the years, There's naething noo wad worry ye, Or cause ye tears. 33 A NEGLECTED TREASURE-HOUSE THE -BURNS ROOM AT THE ''MITCHELL'' by Stewart Hunter

THEconnection betweenRobertBurns tion of this carving is fittingly symbolic! and a l 9th century tobacco magnate To my shame, I have now to confess may not be immediately apparent, but that I had been in and out of the it does exist-and, what is more, it is Mitchell, time after time, over a period of significance to all who wish to extend of many, many years, before the very their knowledge of the poet, his work, existence of the Burns Room was reveal­ and the times in which he lived. ed to me. My somewhat feeble· excuse Stephen Mitchell was a manufacturer must be that the room is neither very catering for the needs of the smoker. conspicuous nor widely advertised. So, By doing so, he amassed a considerable for the benefit of those who might fortune, the residue of which he left to otherwise be guilty of the same over­ the city in which it had been made. His sight, I feel I ought to state that it is wish was that the legacy should be located in, approximately, the south­ used to provide Glasgow with a public east corner of the main reading-room. I reference library and, once sufficient should also add that permission to enter interest had accrued, this was done. and use it has to be obtained from the Appropriately, the library was named Mitchell Librarian or his representative, after the benefactor who had made but access will be very willingly given possible its establishment. Today, in to anyone with ·a genuine interest in what is the Mitchell Library's third Burns lore. home-the handsome Edwardian build­ Having indicated where the Burns ing in North Street, close by Charing Room is located, let me pass on to the Cross-there is housed, in a section set riches it offers. Needless to r.ay, no aside for the purpose, a rich and varied bibliographer would seek in vain for hoard of Burns material, almost cer­ any of the published works of Burns, in tainly without equal. verse or prose, and anyone who has I must, however, in the interest of not yet handled, with due reverence, a strict accuracy, make it clear that the copy of the Kilmarnock Edition, could so-called.Burns Room in the Mitchell­ certainly have the opportunity to do so as the library has long been familiady in the Mitchell Library, where t,here.are known-is not exclusively devoted to two copies. The library also possesses Burns items, for the wording on the one each of the so-named "stinking" glass of the double doors proclaims a and "Boxburgh" editions. dual concern with Burns and Scottish Other rare items include the Edin­ Poetry. But if, once inside, you turn to burgh and Dublin editions, both of look above the doors by which you 1787 and, also, the New York and have just entered, you will observe, Philadelphia Editions, both of which admfrably executed in relief, an excellent came out in the following year. There wood-carving of the Bard's head. are, too, no fewer than eleven Burns Surely tbe exalted and dominant posi- manuscripts, consisting of poems and 34 letters, including one written to William in-law over his lifetime. As she had Nicol, which is accepted as being the become heir to an assortment of books longest piece of prose in the Scottish and papers, some of which pertained vernacular to have been penned by to Burns, we must be thankful that she Robert Bwns. There is, too, a Rent had the wisdom to preserve what to her, Book for Mossgiel, in the name of may have been an embarrassingly Gilbert Burns. space-consuming legacy, which in the A copy of the "indenture" entered 1960's was acquired by the Mitchell into with Burns's Trustees and a pub­ ·Library. It was, incidentally, a descend­ lisher is of particular interest in that it ant of John Cowie-Charles Rennie bears the signature of Jean Armour, Cowie-who played so generous a part thereby disposing of the charge of illiter­ in the establishment of "Auld Nanse acy which some have brought against Tinnock" Memorial in Mapchline. her. The "Collected Edition" thus con­ Space, alone, would prevent my tracted for was, of course, the one describing in any detail the constituents compiled by Dr. James Currie, a of the Mitchell's Burns Room, but I Liverpool physician much devoted to really must make reference to two other literature, who-in what is now highly personal collections which greatly regarded as an unjustified attempt to appealed to me. One of these was avoid giving o.ffence-"Bowdlerised" formed by an 'Alexander Gardyne, a the Poet's coarser expressions. Currie, Glar.gow merchant, with interests asso­ an intolerant teetotaller, also laid ciated with sugar, whose mercantile an unnecessary emphasis on Burns's star was at its brightest in the mid-19th drinking and almost certainly set going century. Gardyne's commercial activi­ the legend that intemperance led to a ties would seem to have condemned decline in the Poet's creativity. him to prolonged domicile in London, I have singled out only a few items and it would probably not be at all from an embarrassment of riches, and fanciful to suggest that his well-nigh my aim has been simply to whet the obsessive interest in anything touching appetite of the serious researcher and upon Scottish poetry or poets was the of the amateur who would be happy just by-product of exile. to re-enter, even for an hour or two, Anyhow, he has left beind him abund­ the world of Burns. And here it is ant physical evidence of his passion in appropriate to say that those who the form of what I can best describe as require expert assistance in pursuing a massive scrapbook. Apart from the their line of enquiry can be assured of · obvious interest of the material amassed the readiness of the staff and, in parti­ by Alexander Gardyne, I was astonished cular of the "Custodian", Mr. Joseph at the manner of its preservation. Fisher, to give guidance. Indeed, the Gardyne could truthfully be described latter's knowledge of what is in the as an early and committed conser­ Burns Room, and where it may be vationist. This drove him into copying found, has to be experienced to be out verse or pasting press-cuttings on believed. to the blank side of business letters The Burns Room in the Mitchell is, which he had received. I observed, for really, a collection of collections-and, instance, that an item from a newspaper in this context, it would be only right had been stuck on the back of a letter­ to give an honourable mention to a beautifully handwritten, I might add­ certain Mrs. Cowie, a widow, who had in which delivery dates for sugar-refining inherited an impressive body of literary machinery were under discussion. miscellania, accumulated by her father- Indeed, Mr. Gardyne's collation of cut- 35 Mr. Joseph Fisher-" his knowledge of what is in the Burns Room has to be experienced to be believed." tings would, nowadays, interest the than eight large volumes to contain social historian and economist no less his garnering. than it would the student of Scottish Mrs. Cowie, Alexander Gardyne, poetry. John Gould . . . Names from past. James Gould, on the other hand, Does anybody nowadays make gifts was infinitely more selective. Robert to the Burns Room? Happily, the Burns-and none other-was his man! answer is Yes. Not so very many Gould was a postman in what I reckon months ago, for example, a ·.voman had to have been the Edinburgh of Robert the generosity to hand over to the Louis Stevenson's period, and he did Mitchell a manuscript which she had not, it seems, enjoy the be ~ t of health. found inside a book that she bought, But neither ill-health nor anything eh secondhand, in an Oxfam or some such was able to lessen his fanatical gleaning shop. The handwriting was that of­ of anything-a paragraph in a paper, a no, alas, not Robert Burns. It was, facsimile of a document, a signature, however, that of Hugh MacDiarmid, a postcard or, even, a pressed flower whom not a few would rate as the from a Burns shrine-that pertained, greatest Scottish poet since that lad that however indirectly to the Bard. This was born in Kyle. harvester of Burnsiana needed no fewer The Burns Room is, like the library 36 of which it forms but a small part, within a twenty miles radius of Glasgow, intended to be of service to the public. were to pay it just one visit this year, Well, what use do the public make of it would be a vastly busier place than it? The most frequent use to which the it is now! Even so, appreciative use of Burns Room-or, more exactly, its it is certainly made by Burm:; scholars, staff-is put is that of giving their f~ee who recognise the wealth of material advice and the benefit of an expertise that is stored in it. Examples? Well, which they would modestly disclaim. there is Professor Ross Roy, of South Every now and then, someone turns up Carolina, who has drawn upon the with what they 5Uspect to be a "ra,re" contents of the Burns Room to further edition of the poems. Victorian binding his work on a computerised biblio­ and what, even to their eyes, is not a graphy of Scottish poetry. Professor modern type is enough to send their Roy is, incidentally, likely to put Burns hopes soaring. It has to be said, though, readers in his debt with, in the fullness that, over the years, not one single of time, his new edition of Robert volume of genuine rarity has come to Burns's Letters, to replace the compila­ light. tion made by John de Lancey Ferguson. "Manuscripts" have also, over the Another scholar who might have been years, given rise to numerous enquiries. encountered in the Burns Room, is Without,. it must be said, any conscious Herr Dietrich Strauss, from Germany, attempt to defraud, numerous Burns who is making an "in depth" study of facsimile were printed, most of them the poet's bawdry. Then, again, there during the 19th century. These, as is Mr. Scott Wilson, a graduate of St. often as not, would take the form of a Andrews University, who has availed stanza or two of a lyric, or, possibly, a himself of the Mitchell's resources to fragment of a letter. They were liable further a thesis which has as its subject to lie around for years, only to turn the verse epistles written by Robert up again when, for example, a house Burns. was being displenished. To their dis­ Let me end with a gentle hint. It coverer, if he weren't a specialist, they would take a computer, I suppose, to could look authentic enough to cause work out how many Immortal Memories him to think that he had unearthed a and Toasts to the Lasses are given each genuine specimen of the poet's hand­ January-and one wouldn't need a writing. So, cherishing the hope of a computer to reach the conclu5ion that by literary find, he would present himself­ no means all of them are remarkable and his holograph-at the Mitchell. for their originality. Let it just be Again, alas, it has to be reported, so whispered that a session in the Mitchell's far, nothing of real value has been Burns Room could be very rewarding­ found in this way. for it is a place where may be found Written enquiries also arrive from, all that has been printed of the Poet's literally, all over the world. Quite writing-and a great deal of what has recently, for instance, a letter came from been written about him by those who the U.S. offering for sale a copy of the loved his work enough to make it the "Philadelphia" edition of the 1780's. dominant interest of their lives. The Burns Room in the Mitchell I must add, too, that an approach Library is nothing like as much used by to the Mitchell's Burns Room can be Glaswegians as it deserves to be-and it most usefully made through the printed is certainly under-used by Burns enthu­ catalogue to the Robert Burns Collec­ siasts. If, for instance, everyone who tion. The cost of this publication, at attended a Burns Supper last January, the time of writing, is £1.05 plus postage. 37 To mark the anniversary of the death of John Burness a wreath was laid on his grave in Aberdeen by Glenbervie Burns Memorials Association. Photo shows Mr. Lawrence R. Burness, a lineal descendant of the Burnes family in Kincardineshire, laying the wreath. Others in the group are: Mr. C. C. Easton (Past President of the Federation) who gave a brief account of 'Thrummy Cap's' life; Mr. Douglas Cruickshank (Aberdeen Burns Club); Mr. Robert Watson, (Secretary of Glenbervie Burns Memorials Association); Mr. George Sherriffs (Aberdeen Burns Club); and Mr. George Watt, (President of Aberdeen Burns Study Circle).

38 D. WILSON OGILVIE writes of the life and work of John Burness, second-cousin of Robert Burns, who shared something of his more famous relative's gifts. ''ThrnDtrny (Jap''

"Whare in the snaw the chapman Gmoor'd"-Tam O'Shanter

DURING the early evening of the Apart from this blood link with 12th January, 1826, just over 150 Burns, Burness bad a considerable dis­ years ago, a chapman died of exposure tinction in his own right, being widely on the public road near Portlethen recognised, even into this century, as a Kirk. The building is on rising ground, minor poet, remembered chiefly for his making it a landmark to travellers on delightful narrative poem-"Thrummy the busy A92 road a few miles south of Cap". This became a "chapbook Aberdeen. Since then the railway bas classic" during bis lifetime. been constructed near the church and Though longer than "Tam O' more recent housing development now Shanter", this masterpiece almost cer­ makes the spot seem far less lonely than tainly inspired "Thrummy Cap", as did on that fateful January night, but to the meetings between the two cousins in the victim, John Burness (1771-1826) it few short months before Burns's death must have seemed a forsaken spot. in 1796. Though now hardly known outside Burness had little formal education, Burnsian circles, Burness bas certain but most of his work belies this and claims to fame. "Thrummy Cap" is a skilfully con­ He was a second cousin of Burns, structed narrative poem combining both men being descended from Walter humour with the supernatural. It is Burnes of Mergie and Bogjorgan. John set in a Mearns keep known to Burness was the great grandson of Burness-the Castle of Fiddes, a little Walter's son William, while Robert to the east of the Stonehaven-Laurence­ Burns was the great grandson of kirk road and near Clochnahill, home of William's brother James. These broth­ Burns's father and grandfather. ers worked neighbouring farms on the Sometimes entitled-"Thrummy Cap bare Brae of Glenbervie. Thanks to the -A Legend of the Castle of Fiddes", Glenbervie Burns Memorials Associ­ the poem may well be based on an ation the graves at Glenbervie are now earlier folk tale which had attracted tastefully marked and protected. the poet. Though Burns's father was forced to After the scene is set Burness tells of leave bis family farm of Clochnahill two travellers-Thrummy Cap and about the hard winter of 1740, moving Cow'rdly John-caught in a storm in to Edinburgh and then Ayrshire, the Kinneff parish. Their clothing is forebears of John Burness farmed beautifully described-the "jockey Bogjorgan until John's father's death coat", "thrummy cap," "doddy mit­ in 1784. John was born there in May, tens" and "spatterdashes" (leggings). 1771. Predictably John begins to panic as 39 Strideleg o'er a cask o' ale He saw the likeness o' himself'.

near the main door, but the bold Thrummy marches his companion up to the room on offer, and the laird, in better humour, now provides "baith fire an' light". After an uneventful darkness falls and Thrummy tries to start to the evening Thrummy's thirst put his mind at rest. drives him downstairs to seek a drink and seeing a light at the open cellar "Cheer up," quo Thrummy, "never doubt; door he enters: But I'm some fley'd we've tillf our way. Howe'er at the neist house we'll stay Whatever's there he thinks he'll see, Until we see gin it grows fair; . He bauldly o'er the threshold ventures, Gin no, a nicht we'll tarry there." An' in within the cellar enters. But, reader, judge o' his surprise Mercifully the castle looms out of When there he saw, with wond'ring eyes, the storm and bold Thrummy hammers A spacious vault, wee/ filled wi casks the door with his "aiken staff". Despite O' reamin' ale, an' some big flasks, the weather, however, the laird and his An' stride/eg o'er a cask o' ale dog offer no welcome, seeing the callers He saw the likeness o' himse/'. as disreputable characters. Politely but Thrummy reacts with remarkable firmly they are refused entrance: equanimity, draws two "jugs" of ale The landlord says-"O' beds we've nane, from the self-same cask and goes up­ Our ainfouk they will scarce contain; stairs, offering John a drink but not But gin ye gang but twa miles forit, mentioning the encounter. The ale Aside the kirk dwells Robbie Dorat, consumed, Thrummy returns for a refill, Wha keeps a change, an' sells guid drink. now finding the ghost on "a butt, His house you may mak out, I think." behind the door". Taking an even The bold Thrummy would have none stronger brew from the butt, Thrummy of this, however, and finally bullies his returns to his bed where finally both way indoors: men fall asleep-though not for long! Sae in he gaes an' sets him down, An hour in bed they hadna been, Says he: "There's nane about your toun An' scarcely wee/ had closed their een, Sall put me out till a new day, When just into the neighbouring cham'er, As fang's I've siller for to pay." They heard a dreadfu' din and clamour. Once inside, the atmosphere improves Predictably we read that: a little though their host points out that Aneath the bedclaise John did cour, they have been rather rash in demanding But Thrummy jumpt upo' the floor. shelter since the only spare bedroom was: John tugged at Thrummy's "sark-tail", but this commotion was too much for " ... haunted by a frightfu' ghaist, Thrummy's curiosity and Burness's Oursel's are terrified amaist" narrative takes on something of the John's immediate reaction is to stay urgency and acceleration of Burns's 40

' Just into the neighbouring cham'er They heard a dreadfu' din and clamour. description of Tam's ride to the brid~e. Thrummy looks into the room, seemg his ghostly double near the door:

An o'er anent it, at the wa', Were other apparitions twa. • . These spirits seemed tae kick a ba', The ghaist against the ither twa. In this nightmare-like situation Thrummy's ghost was obvio1;1sly trying desperately to get possession of a leather ball, but without success. Thrummy is overcome by the scene (pos­ and not unlike Tam 0' Shanter Thrummy returns towards his room, sibly also somewhat ineb~iated !), he in his sark" ! As he reaches that "stilping loses his self control, shoutmg out the door however, the ghost blocks his the game is unfair: way and 'Thrummy realises that in some way his assistance is required. ~ven­ Syne wi' his fit he kicked the ba', the spirit has th~ opp~rtumty of it play stot against the wa'. tually Gar'd human help and tells his tragic story: .The spectres immediately vanish "~n " ... "Tis forty year a clap o' thuner" and yet agam Since I've been doomed tae wander here; Jn a' that time there has been nane Behaved sae bold as ye /we deen; Sae if you'll do a job for me Disturbance mair I'll never gie." Thrummy Cap "gars the ba' play stot against the wa'-" and immediately the spectres Thrummy, earlier an unwelcome vanish. ·

41 The' parchment is exchanged for the sum due, "fifty guineas and a crown" and the poem ends happily. guest, is quickly becoming the exorcist crown", owed to the overseer at his able to rid Fiddes Castle of its alarming death. ghosts! The poem approaches its climax with As the tale unfolds, the reader learns the two men finally rising and going that the ghost had once been the estate downstairs on a calm clear morning. A factor, completely trusted by the laird. tolerably friendly and curious host is In a moment of weakness, with the old about to usher them out but is soon laird dying and his heir away in France, taken aback by Thrummy's continuing the "overseer" had misappropriated boldness: the estate title deeds. Unfortunately for the factor the young laird returns but Quo' Thrummy, "Sir, mark what I tell, the factor died with tragic suddenness I've more right here than you yoursel'." and was unable to return the deeds. An explanation is eventually given Since then he had haunted the castle, before the "parchment" is exchanged knowing where the deeds were hidden, for the sum due. After this happy end­ but being unable to extract them from ing John Burness follows literary con­ the space behind the "cham'er" wall. vention by discussing his muse: The laird had vainly sought the deeds ever since and by the time ofThrummy's A11' sae my tale I here do end and John's visit the situation was I hope no one it will offend. desperate: My Muse will nae assist me /anger, The dorty jade sometimes does anger; Till nae /angsyne nae mony kent I thought her ance a gay smart lass, That this same laird the rightsdidwallt, But now she's come till sic a pass But noo they hae him at the law, That a' my cudgelling an' whipping An' the neist ook* the laird maun shaw Will hardly wake her out o' sleeping. Afore the court, the rights o' 's Ian, To plague her mair I winna try, · This puts him tae an unco stan'. But dight my pen an' lay it by. No wonder the laird had not felt The many editions inclined to welcome the wanderers a of "Thrummy few hours Cap"-some in fragile chapbook form earlier. But now the pace -are increases, with the ghost instructing long since out of print, though Thrummy Baillie's Library, Glasgow and New to extract one of the stones York from the wall, find the deeds City Library hold interesting early sewn into copies. Aberdeen a leather ball and return them to their Public Library, rightful owner. Glasgow's Mitchell Library and Aber­ As recompense he deen University could claim "just fifty guineas and a Library are known to have copies of the most comprehensive *week edition of Bumess's varied efforts- 42 "Plays, Poems, Tales and Other Pieces", merit it has many fascinating details of published in Montrose (1819) and con­ Christmas celebrations on a small taining most of the writer's known Mearns farm around 1800. Sowens, works. Also in Aberdeen University ale and haggis dominate the menus, Library is the original manuscript of while the silent children play in the "Thrummy Cap", acquired in the "peat nook", allowing the menfolk to 1930's from Dr. Charles Murray. spend hours at "cartes", gambling at Though the poet made very few errors Lanterloo ("lant") and playing Scotch in his text, his first printer felt forced to Whist ("catch-the-ten"). stroke out the superfluous "e's", since Burness's life was nothing if not Burness consistently used the spelling varied. At thirteen he was orphaned "Thrummey Cape"-had he seen a and John immediately became an very early prose version of the tale? apprentice baker in Brechin. Though Most of Burness's fame rests on that biographical detail is sketchy, a poem which stands alongside "Helen­ short autobiographical introduction is ore" by Ross and Beattie's "John of found in .his 1819 (Montrose) edition. Arnha", Angus and Mearns works His career as a baker took him also to which have enjoyed very wide popu­ Aberdeen and Arbroath where in 1794 larity. · he enlisted in the Angus Fencibles He was a versatile writer, however, (forerunners of the militia in Scotland). and much of his virtually forgotten Thrummy, not unlike Lewis Grassie other work deserves more than a second Gibbon (a more distinguished literary glance at this time. Another narrative product of the Mearns), seems to have poem, somewhat long for modern taste, been stimulated by the opportunity to was "The Ghaist o' Garron Ha'." his travel while on military service: this last work (1823). Here the supernatural period produced most of his best work. and some humour are interwoven in a During five years service his company very readable tale once well known in visited Dumfries, Leith, Stranraer and Aberdeen and the Mearns. In it the Lerwick before being disbanded in reader is taken from an Argyll castle Peterhead (1799). through Linlithgow to Edinburgh and His most significant posting was to back, shortly after the first Jacobite Dumfries where John had the privilege Rising. Two other narrative poems are of meeting Burns, showing him the text well constructed, though somewhat of "Thrummy Cap" a few weeks before lengthy, each with a touching theme of the Bard's death. Burns's generous filial loyalty. "The Northern Laird and comment was that this was-"the best His Tenant" was published in Dublin ghaist story in the language," and it (1815) and is another tale of Jacobite was first published in Dumfries. At ' times set in the Glenlivet area, while Burns's funeral procession Thrummy the more extensive "Gregor and Flora" was on duty with the Fencibles while is set in :fifteenth century Fife. his C.O. (Major Fraser of Hospital­ Few of his other poems were much :field, Arbroath) played a leading part remembered after his death, though in the ceremonials. they have the distinction of consider­ About this time Burness started writ­ able variety. "Margaret and The ing plays and reputedly saw himself Minister" is full of unsophisticated more as a dramatist than a poet. A humour, while "Yule-A Humorous variety of plays (some of five acts) were Description of a Country Christmas" written and were sufficiently well re­ is after the style of Burns's "Hallow­ garded to be staged in various pro­ e'en", and though of no great poetic vincial theatres and "gaffs". Some 43 casts are recorded in the 1819 edition bervie, south of Stonehaven. while we know of performances from On January 12, 1826, Thrummy Lerwick to as far south as North Shields. breakfasted in Stonehaven with a weaver Thrummy himself sometimes played cousin, setting off for Aberdeen on a leading parts, no mean feat for a crisp, cold, calm winter's morning. Fencible private. The subject matter of Probably on foot, he visited some Port­ these plays was rather similar to much lethen customers in the afternoon. As of his narrative verse, historical, melo­ daylight faded a storm broke and dramatic and bloody! reminiscent of Burns's "Tam O' On his "demob" in Peterhead, John Shanter", or "On Tam the Chapman", quickly returned to Stonehaven, pur­ and even "Thrummy Cap", he died of chased a baker's business and in exposure in a snow drift on the road November 1801, married Margaret near Portlethen Kirk. Such was the Davidson of Peterhead. Burness, storm on that Thursday night that only however, did not have the temperament on Monday morning did local farm for such a position and after combining servants find his body when clearing baking with part-time Volunteer service the road. · he was soon in financial difficulties. We are told that in his possession His delightful poem-"The Barm Stoup were a few chapbooks and a pathetically (yeast container) and Rolling Pin: A small number of coins. His body was Dialogue"-paints a humorous picture immediately taken to his Aberdeen of his business ability, and probably Hardgate tenement home and next day explains why in 1803 he was back in buried in the Spital Graveyard, part of uniform! This time it was as a substi­ St. Peter's Cemetery, King Street, tute private in the 11th (Forfar and Aberdeen. According to the contem­ Kincardine) Militia.• porary press the death passed almost By courtesy of Mr. W. A. Thorburn unnoticed despite Thrummy's claims (Scottish United Services Museum) and to fame, and it is doubtful if any stone Mr. Lawrence Burness (Arbroath) the was erected. · pattern of his complex militia postings By .1896, during centenary celebra­ has taken shape. It appears that tions ofBurns's death, some North East Thrummy spent short periods at Glas­ Burnsians felt that a fitting memorial gow, Stirling and Edinburgh before a to Thrummy should be erected. After slow progress down the East Coast to the stimulus of the celebrations, how­ Newcastle, then across the Pennines to ever, enthusiasm waned, but an active Manchester and Stockport, :finally group came together some fifteen years reaching Ireland. Here he served first-. later. Eventually, in 1912 Burns enthu­ in Co. Offaly, ending his service at Naas siasts accumulated sufficient funds to (Co. Kildare) near Dublin, in June, raise a striking Kemnay granite memo­ 1815, shortly after Waterloo. rial near the position of Thrummy's On his discharge he was rash enough interment. to purchase another baker's business in Since than a few enthusiasts of Burns Stonehaven, but this lasted barely a and Scottish literature have sought to year. His final ten uncertain years popularise Thrummy, amongst them Thrummy started as a "book canvasser" Mr. Henry J. Rennie, Mr. Wm. Walker, for a Glasgow publisher, degenerating compiler of "Bards of Bon-Accord" shortly into a more ordinary chapman, and Mr. R. Murdoch Lawrence who in with short spells as a weaver. As a chap­ 1931 published a pamphlet-"John man he was widely known between Burness-A forgotten Genius". Aberdeen and his native Brae of Glen- More recently the Glenbervie Burns 44 Memorials Association have sought to an entertaining companion. stimulate an interest in John Burness, He was possibly nearer to Dr. culminating in the touching little cere­ Chambers's description-"a curious mony at his memorial on the 150th original" than-"a forgotten genil}.s", anniversary of his death. but in the final analysis, John Burness Many gaps exist in our knowledge was a minor poet of considerable of Burness, and no portrait has been repute. His "Thrummy Cap" and found, though a fine portrait of his other poems have given a great deal of sister Sarah (wife of a Montrose mer­ pleasure for over a century and a half. chant) has come to light again in As a second cousin of Burns he had Montrose, thanks to the interest created shared something of the literary ability last January. Her appearance is both which stemmed from the Burnes family sensitive and sophisticated and this may of Glenbervie. His contribution to provide some clues to Thrummy. We society was not insignificant and he believe he was tall and dark, of a shy could almost have been the hero of one disposition, full of idiosyncracies, yet of his "tragical dramatic tales".

LETTER TO THE EDITOR AT THE CAULDRON LINN Harviestoun Lodge, happy to say that since its dedication Dollar. three years ago everything has gone fine Dear Sir-I was impressed with the last and I get real pleasure in keeping the Burns Chronicle and your ideas about surrounding grounds and welcoming including more items of local interest. parties from the various clubs. I make no apologies for being paro­ I enclose a cutting from our local chial in my love for Robert Burns. newspaper describing a really wonder­ Harviestoun Cairn was the result of a ful day we had in February. Before our long and careful study of his two visits annual Gala Burns Supper we paid a to Dollar and there is no doubt in my visit to Cauldron Linn, visited by Burns mind that Burns spent some of the in 1787. The Gala Supper was started happiest days of his life around here. by me in 1973 to gather funds for the The fact that his last song, or work of Harviestoun Cairn. So successful was any kind was "Fairest Maid on Devon's it that my Committee decided to keep Banks", written in a failing hand, con­ it going to raise funds for our centenary vinced me that, even 011 his deathbed, celebrations in 1987. his thoughts returned to Harvlestoun. · · Alex. B. Mclver, I spent some of my happiest times Past President, Secretary, talking with the present owners of the Dollar Burns Club, No. 37. Harviestoun Estate, receiving permis­ sion to remove stone from the derelict Editor's Note-The newspaper report des­ castle and being given a wonderful spot cribes how Mr. Mciver led a party of forty, erect the cairn at the East Lodge. including the Rev. James Currie, principal to speaker at the Supper, to the Cauldron Linn. During this time I was offered the This is a remarkable cascade on the Devon, Lodge as a house. I was thrilled to about five miles above Harviestoun. Mr. accept as it meant I was on hand for the Currie gave a short address, quoting the letter building of the cairn and could keep a written by Burns to Gavin Hamilton after he close lookout for any vandalism. I am had visited the Linn, 190 years ago. 45 Photo Clifford Beckett Alex MacMillan

ANDREW HOOD gives a very personal portrait of the man who, for almost twenty years, was Convener of the Literature Committee. 46 LIKE some other weel-kent Wise In his boyhood he acquired a natural Men, Alex. MacMillan came from love of fitba and was no slouch as centre the East. Born in 1905 he left his native forward with Cumnock Juniors. This Arbroath for Ayrshire at the age of love was later transferred to Rugby two. The move didn't cause much of a Park, Kilmarnock, and for over forty stir at the time. The Cumnock Chronicle years now, he has given that club loyal of the day made no mention of the fact, service in a vociferous advisory capacity but it was not to be long before he made from his seat in the stand. There could his presence felt and Ayrshire has had be more than a grain of truth in the good reason to bless that flitting ever story of one of his pupils playing with since. the reserves, telling the referee "Ye As the.1914-18 War ground to a halt canny stert the noo Ref, the Rector's Alex. left school to become assistant no here yet". goods clerk at Cumnock Station. Two In Ardrossan he acquired a lifetime years later he quit and went back to love of the stage with the famous school. That was probably his first Ardrossan Players. His has been a mistake because, had he stayed on the many-sided interest that has seen him rails, we might never have heard of Dr. involved on or behind the stage of Beeching or his Axe and Scotland today panto, pageant, drama and comedy. might well have had a reliable, viable and His love of music led him to become a efficient railway system. It was a great founder member of Irvine Music Club. still unborn British ·Rail! loss to the 1 His love of nature took him to the He took his Highers at Kilmarnock garden-it still does-but there .was a Academy, an M.A. with honours at time when he was considered a Euro­ Glasgow University, then launched into pean authority on border carnations. a teaching career that took him to the An illness caused by overwork put an top of the profession. Starting at end to his showing of carnations but he Ardrossan Academy in the English still keeps a busy garden, tatties and Department, he had published three orra vegetables and, as my wife will tell books on Scottish history before going you, the most gorgeous sweet peas. back to University to qualify for his There is a fair gallimaufray of inter­ Bachelor of Education, today's ests, but I still haven't mentioned his "Master's" ticket. Back home to Cum­ work for R.S.P.C.C., Action for the nock Academy where, during the Crippled Child, the Hospital Board, the Second World War, he did a hush-hush Kirk and Rotary. At the time of writing job for the Government as well as his he is, as Governor of Rotary District teaching. He the!). had a spell as Head No. 123, on the point of packing his of the Department of English at Ayr bags for a tour of America this summer Academy before coming-as Rector to t1976), in the course of which he will Irvine's Royal Academy in 1953. He address several thousand high heid yins became the first Rector of the new of that international organisation at Ravenspark Academy and from there their headquarters in New Orleans. retired in 1971. Forby that, I forgot to mention that, That could be described modestly as in his professional career he was, at a fairly successful career in the field of one time or another, Senior Vice­ education-and it was-but it does not President of the Headmasters Associ­ even begin to tell the story of Alex. ation of Scotland, a Council Member MacMillan. This man who has such an of Glasgow University and a Councillor unbelievable capacity for work, the man in the Open University. I know, has hardly appeared yet. I'll need to stop, because the point 47 of the article was to say that Alex., to Irvine Burns Club in these exciting after almost twenty years, has retired days in its history, as an ambassador to from the Convenership of our Literature exiled Scots south of the Border, as Committee. To regular readers of the adjudicator in Henry Mair's National Chronicle he needs no introduction Poetry Competition, in his lectures on because in that time he has dominated history throughout Ayrshire County the post. He was President of the and as author of a book Irvine and Its Federation in 1957 and his work in the Burns Club (1827-1976). Chronicle alone will stand as a per­ When he goes, he will go in harness, manent tribute. His contribution to he is that kind of man. Sanny (as I call Bairnsangs and his compilation of the him when we've baith had a dram) is a New Scots Reader are two significant man's man. Knowing and working with factors in what Hugh MacDiarmid calls him has been to me a great privilege "this great forward movement of inde­ and I still think he made a mistake in pendent Scottish Literature and leaving the Railway-Just think how Language Cause". much more he could have done had he He will be sair missed in the Litera­ not had the schulin o' oor weans to ture Committees but elsewhere his work think of! goes on-as a Director and Archivist We wish him and Margaret well.

BURNS IN SELKIRK (The following comment appeared in the are that Burns and Ainslie rode into Eskdale and liddesdale Advertiser.) Selkirk like drowned rats. Ainslie led the way to the Forest Inn but unfor­ We note that in an article in the 1976 tunately for the pair a Doctor Clarkson issue of the Burns Chronicle entitled and a Selkirk Bailie were occupying the "Sir Robert Burns," the writer-a Mr. best room of the inn with a couple of Farquhar Mackenzie-mentions that no friends and although Bums and Ainslie fewer than seven Scottish Burghs recog­ requested that they might join them at nised Burns by granting him their the fire Doctor Clarkson, on being in­ Freedom-Jedburgh, Dumfries, Dum­ formed that the travellers were "not barton, Linlithgow, Sanquhar, Loch­ quite gentlemen," refused to share the maben and Selkirk. comfort of the room, and the Bard and Here we would like to point out to his companion were shown into a Mr. Mackenzie that he is definitely wretched room in which there was no wrong in regard to Selkirk. Burns was fire and less comfort. never granted the Freedom of the However, it's an ill wind that blows Capital of Ettrick Forest. Indeed his nobody any good and it was in this visit to Selkirk did not reflect much room that Burns penned his well-known credit on the Souters of that time. epistle to his publisher-Willie Creech. The visit happened during the course No, no, Mr. Mackenzie, Robert of the Bard's Border tour accompanied Burns was never a Freeman of the Royal by his friend Robert Ainslie. The facts and Ancient Burgh of Selkirk. 48 A Study in Uoineidenee by W. Porter-Young

well: At first sight there would seem And I met one that I knew that you? connection between Robe1t Burns "Oh, Scotty's Ghost, is little crowd and Henry Lawson, a man who has And did you see the fearsome statue? probably better claim than any to the At Robbie Burns's poet. But as is title of Australia's national "They hurried up in hansom cabs, shown in this article the lives of the two and frock-coated; similar­ Tall-hatted poets present some remarkable They trained it in from all the towns, ities. weird and hairy-throated; who left The The author is a journalist spoke in some outlandish tongue, 1930. Active They Edinburgh for Australia in They cut some comic capers, asked in 1962 in church matters, he was ilka man was wild to get of a vacant And to take temporary charg~ His name intil the papers. parish. He is still helping to fill vacancies! But, he points out, "if you asked "They showed no gleam of intellect, just what I am supposed to be I would Those frauds who rushed before us; say 'a journalist'-a Scot in whose They knew one verse of Auld Lang Syne­ heart is an abiding love for the Old The first one-and the chorus: Grey Mother across the sea." They clacked and clashed o' Scotlan's Bard, They glibly talked of 'Rabbie'; But what if he had come to them a groat, ·and shabby? TWO impressive statues stand by the.· Without blue waters of Sydney Harbour; one "They sighed and wept for Robbie's sake, of Robert Burns and the other of They stood and brayed like asses Henry Lawson (1867-1922) "the first (The living bard's a drunken rake, real Australia". The dead one loved the lasses); articulate voice of the sit although the son of a Nor­ If Robbie Burns were here, they'd Lawson, As still as any mouse is; wegian father -and a mother born in their way, keen If Robbie Bums should come Australia of English parents, had a They'd chase him from their houses. appreciation of Burns. So he was embarrassed and angry when he saw "Oh weep for Bonnie Scotland's bard! 25th of January used as And praise the Scottish nation, the recurring spy, and let him die excuse for a spree and with little regard Who made him of the Bard. Heart-broken in privation: for the life or literature Exciseman, so that he might yet On one occasion he expressed his Survive their winters' rigours­ disapprov~l in the following poem: Just as in southern lands they set The rhymer counting figures. STATUE ROBBIE'S fun tired of mourning for my sins­ "We need some lines of stinging Grown 'em; And brooding over merits- To wake the States and light other night with puckered brow I wish a man like Robert Burns The 'em! I went amongst the spirits; Were here today to write 49 The statue of Robert Burns, by the waters of Sydney Harbour.

Shall crawl through all the ages; His work's the living thing, and they Are fly-dirt on the pages."

Resentment may be our first reaction upon reading the verses, but then we recognise that it was Lawson's regard for Burns which called them forth. And many of us have had similar pangs on similar occasions. Of course the Burns Chronicle is hardly the medium in which to discuss the poetry and prose of even Australia's most national, most natural and best loved writer, but there are striking coin­ cidences between Burns and Lawson which may lead a Scot to seek an intro­ duction to the Australian. Lawson's work gives ample evidence of his famili­ arity with Burns and his frequent references to Scottish personalities are always kindly and in tribute to the best characteristics of the Scottish people. Burns and Lawson were each born in a winter storm. The gable of the auld clay biggin was blown down on the twenty-fifth of January, 1759, and Burns and his mother had to find other shelter. Lawson's mother was taken from the tent on the goldfield at Grenfell, New South Wales, when, on June seventeenth, 1867, Lawson was born, and he tells of the tent fly torn in the wind. Burns wrote of the spaewife who "keekit in his loof" as she predicted his But still the mockery shall survive future. Lawson wrote of the old woman Till Day o' Judgment crashes­ who "seemed to ponder with her grey The men we scorn when we're alive head nodding slow" as she forecast his With praise insult our ashes." wanderings. But Scotty's Ghost said: "Never mind Each had his surname slightly The fleas that you inherit; changed. Burnes to Burns and Larsen The living bard can flick them off­ to Lawson. Each spent their infancy They cannot hurt his spirit. in houses built by his father's own The crawlers round the bardie's name hands, and, on those sites, are their 50 The statue to the memory of Henry Lawson (1877-1922), also at Sydney Harbour.

most sacred memorials. William Burnes and Neils Larsen, twelve thousand miles and over ninety years apart, each took their families to new farming ventures which were doomed to failure. "The very poorest soil I know of in a state of cultivation" wrote Burns's brother Gilbert of Mount Oliphant. "A little, stoney, scrubby useless ridge" wrote Lawson of his father's "selection" at Eurunderee in New South Wales. It was said of Burns by his teacher, William Murdoch, that it would never have been guessed that Robert had a " propensity to court the Muses". Lawson's brother Peter stated that "Henry at school was about the last Eurunderee urchin one would have nominated for future greatness". At fifteen, Burns was the "principal labourer on the farm". It was said of Lawson that "as the oldest son much of the work of the selection fell to him". At fifteen he was working side by side with his father. Lawson was a boy "already sensitive and inclined to melancholy". Where, by the winding Ayr, we met, Gilbert Burns wrote that "the hard To live one day of parting love." labour and sorrow of this period of his life was, in great measure, the cause of Lawson had a Highland Mary, and that depression of spirits with which they parted by a river. She was of Clan Robert was so often afflicted through Cameron, but when he wrote of their his whole life afterward". parting with which surname do you Burns's father pre-deceased his think he shielded her identity? mother; so did Lawson's. Burns was 29 when he married* so was Lawson. Ten miles down Reedy River, Bums was incapacitated by an accident One sunday afternoon, which injured his leg; so was Lawson. I rode with Mary Campbell Burns was employed in government To that broad, bright lagoon. service; so was Lawson. Burns had a sweetheart, Mary Camp­ To forestall criticism, it might be added that bell, affectionately referred to as High­ September 1785- three years earlier-could land Mary. He mourned their parting also be regarded as the date of Bum's in the poem in which he recalled: marriage.-Ed. 51 Burns parted from Mary Campbell appreciation". on May 14th, 1786, and that day, too, In appearance was Burns was a striking a Sunday. figure with attractive brown Burns was befriended eyes, "I by an aristo­ never saw such another eye in a human crat, the Earl of Glencairn; Lawson head" said Sir was befriended Walter Scott. Lawson by an aristocrat, Earl was a striking figure of Beauchamp, Governor a man, and he of New South had remarkable brown eyes. "The Wales. Burns had a mind to write a deepest eyes I have play and seen in a man" was he managed the title-"Rob the testimony of the Hon. McQuechan's Elshon"; T. D. Mutch, Lawson's title Minister for Education in New South for the play he tried to write was Wales. "Pinter's Son Jim," but it was unplay­ We come to the end. able. Lord Ro£ebery said that Burns was "most tragic in his Politically they were radical and death". Henry international Lawson was found, quite in outlook and at the same alone, in his little time intensely nationalist weather-board, and patriotic­ corrugated-iron roofed cottage, a few both of them. faint pencil marks Burns dealt indicating where with his literary critics in Death had edited his last manuscript. withering fashion. They were insipid Burns sang himcelf into the hearts of academics, deceiving only themselves. his people. In Lawson's words are as his Epistle to James Lapraik he sweet to the Australian described them: as the echo of the bell bird and as strong as the ring A set o' dull, conceited hashes, of the axe on iron bark. Theirs are Confuse their brains in college classes! immortal memories. * * * * * * An' syne they think to climb Parnassus By dint o' Gr:eek! "MODERN SCOTTISH Lawson, too, had his detractors and POETRY" only in idiom did he differ from Burns Many readers will welcome Maurice Lind­ in his manner of dismissing them. In say's anthology under the above title, which his "To My Cultured Critics" Lawson has just been published. Unfortunately a copy indicted the dilettante-nor did he was not received early enough for a full review forget the classics and the college: to be included. This anthology contains the poetry You grope for Truth in a language of the dead­ last half-century. The work of over fifty In the dust 'neath tower and steeple! poets is represented, in English, Scots and Gaelic, * * * * * * from Pittendrigh MacGillivray I leave you (1856-1938) to alone in your cultured halls Liz Lochhead (born To drivel 1948). and croak and cavil; Her date of birth Till your voices· is therefore not responsible go further than college for Mr. Lindsay's decision walls, that Helen Cruick­ shank should be represented only by one Keep out of the tracks we travel! poem. And that it should be "Shy Geordie"! How Robert Heron, an earlier biographer tired she was of being remembered by that of Burns, wrote of the reception accord­ somewhat gimmicky piece when she had ed the Kilmarnock edition of Burm,'s written so many more poems of greater sig­ poems; "It is hardly possible to nificance. express with what · admiration and Mr. Lindsay will forgive my partiality. His delight they were everywhere selection contains many poems that are not received"; widely known of Lawson's beginnings a Melbourne and its scope and diversity will be both a revelation and a happy reminder. critic wrote: ". . . there are very few Carcanet Press, poets in any 330-332 Corn Exchange country who can claim to Buildings, Manchester M4 3BG. Cloth £3·90, have received such a mark of popular paper £2·50. 52 Abe Train (centre) congratulates Burn bank President Adam Russell. Others (left to right) : Hamilton Jamieson, Mrs. Cowan, Wm. Rowan, Robert Clelland, Charles Brownlie.

50 Years of a Good Deed

FIFTY-TWO years ago, members of of the Club and his wife is the only sur­ Lodge Major Ness decided to form a viving lady of the original seven ladies Burns Club. Two years later, the ladies who joined the Club in 1926. were admitted. From then on, for the In his speech, Mr. Jamieson pointed next fifty unbroken years, the Club has out that originally the Club had held given local old folks an annual treat. Burns competitions for the young. Then On April 29th, 1976, a hundred and it was decided to do something for the fifty old folks, all seventy or over, cele­ old folks of the district, too. It was this brated with Club members, this fiftieth decision which led to the birth of the anniversary treat. annual old folks treat. The old folks and other guests were Looking back on the early days of the welcomed by Club President Adam Club, Mr. Jamieson was unstinting in Russell, a former Provost of Hamilton. hi s praise for the late much-respected Adam Russell took his " turn" as Presi­ Burnsian, Bailie Ninian McWhannell. dent eighteen years ago! At that time the Club held a monthly Guest of honour was Mr. Hamilton concert and the Bailie supplied an end­ Jamieson, a Hamilton businessman, a less stream of artistes. This, and the former Director and Chairman of encouragement a busy man gave to the Hamilton Accies Football Club, and then young Club, played a large part in now nearing eighty years of age-with the laying of its solid foundations. an appearance which very much belies Monthly meetings are still held, but this fact. Mr. Jamieson is the only today there is no concert. remaining Founder Member of the Mr. Jamieson concluded by paying Club. His father was the first President tribute to the President, Secretary, 53

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of of memory memory in in stone stone inscribed inscribed an an Churchyard; Churchyard; Canongate Canongate the the In In 13. 13.

Coast. Coast. Solway Solway the the on on Well Well Brow Brow 12. 12.

Gilbert. Gilbert. 11. 11.

Scott. Scott. Walter Walter Sir Sir 10. 10.

1964. 1964. and and 1933 1933 1920, 1920, times-in times-in three three Yes, Yes, 9. 9.

Mouse". Mouse". a a "To "To Poem Poem the the In In 8. 8.

exact. exact. be be to to 37-! 37-! years; years; 37 37 7. 7.

year. year. that that of of September September in in night night a a spent spent he he where where Aberdeen Aberdeen 6. 6.

Indies. Indies. West West the the and Jamaica Jamaica 5. 5.

fiddle. fiddle. The The 4. 4.

field. field.

harvest harvest the the in in met met he he whom whom lass lass servant servant young young a a Kilpatrick, Kilpatrick, Nelly Nelly 3. 3.

1891. 1891. 2. 2.

Cunninghame. Cunninghame. 1. 1. t.S t.S Under the Influence by John Rundle

THESE words write as a Gentile in have taken Burns to their hearts) and I the Land of Burns. No Burns Club whose enthusiasm for the Bard's work has ever had my name on its ;member­ had him bursting into spontaneous ship roll and only thrice have I ever recitations at appropriate moments. graced a Burns Supper. My maternal Every year there is the Bums Ride grandfather was something of an enthu­ from Ayr to Alloway-perhaps a little siast, but my own introduction to the contrived but nevertheless an example bard was like that of so many others'­ of the Bums influence at work. Perhaps at school. To me, Burns's poetry was this influence was best seen in Dumfries one of the few things that made any at a reception given by the How.ff Club sense in the books of soporific verse-it in the Globe Inn. Here were gathered was Scottish and therefore familiar to ordinary men not so much interested in me; it was told in a language some of the sociology or philosophy of Burns's which is still used today and it was works but in the sheer pleasure to be unpretentious. I suppose I could even found in hearing words written almost say it was enjoyable. Its influence on me two hundred years ago by someone in a middle-class suburban ghetto of who knew and visited the same building West Edinburgh was not profound to and who, I imagine, didn't know he was say the least. · writing works of sociological or philo­ I summarise my cultural pedigree to sophical significance anyway. establish my objectivity in writing of the The President at the time of my visit influence of Burns I discovered in his was Richard Wismach, a German own part of Scotland-Ayrshire and P.O.W., who stayed on after the war. the South-West. The occasion was a Here the Burns spell worked on a mature Scottish Tourist Board-sponsored tour man who had heard little or nothing of the numerous Burns sites on the about the poet's life or work. To hear newly-established Heritage Trail and one this genial joiner speaking Burns alter­ intriguing aspect of this was to discover nately in Scots and German is a neat the influence which Burns still has on e~ample of the international appeal of the people in this area. Leaving aside Alloway's favourite son. the Rabbie Burns Fish Tea Parlours John "Cutty" Black, is a hospital and Tam o' Shanter's Tartan Tuck-in, it porter by trade When the five-poU11d­ is evident that the poet is very much notes bearing Bums's portrait first alive in people's minds. This applies to appeared he was inspired to write. He an extent unknown with other literary gave a recital of his work in the Howff's celebrities. Border folk would be hard couthy wee room. If the poetry lacked put to quote a line of Scott and how the Bums conciseness and style perhaps many outwith the Capital's literati have that is not surprising, for genius is a , even heard of Robert Fergusson.? scarce quality, but it was because of The guide on the tour was Tom Burns that his poem was written at Campbell, from Kilmarnock, a retired all. souter, whose interest in Bums has even The influence of Burns can have no led him to learn Russian (the Russians greater tribute than that. 55 AROUND THE CLUBS

Ethel Hall, Aberdeen. Ethel's connection with Aberdeen Burns Club started thirty years ago. Now Vice-President. Secretary of Northern Scottish Counties Association of Burns Clubs. Showed her organising ability as Secretary when Federation held Con­ ferences in Aberdeen, 1957 and 1972. A sergeant in ·c· Division Grampian Police. Apart from Burns main leisure interest is music.

Photo "Sunderland Echo" Mrs. Kath Nicol. Sunderland. Kath (left) is the first woman President of Sunderland Burns Club in its 79 years· existence. A Wearsider, from an old Sunderland family. Her husband, a Scot, is a Past President of the Sunderland Club. Kath was a teacher until the birth of her son. On her right in picture is Mr. M alcolm M . Mair who addressed the haggis at the Club's supper. 56 M.A. New Joint- Convener George Vallance. A Past President of the James Glass, Competitions. For past 18 years Federation , George has held many posts. of Schools of Alloway Primary. Has actively Recently vacated convenership of the M emo­ headmaster pupils to take interest in Burns rials Committee which he had held since encouraged competitions and projects. Since 1970. Secretary of Ayrshire Association of through ent of Alloway Burns Club. Cl erk Burns Clubs since 1970. A retired transport 1972 Presid al Board of Alloway Parish manager with NCB, he lives in Lugar, to Congregation Pa st President of Ayrshire Associ­ Cumnock. Once a keen golfer and badminton Church. A Teachers. Finds relaxation in player, now cultivates his garden-vegetables ation of Head only he stresses. bowling.

Yvonne H . Stevenson, Canada. Secretary of Burns Club of Victoria. A grea t-great­ grandniece of Jean Armour. Publ ished in 1959 " Burns and His Bonnie Jean". Has ju!tt finished a book on Burns-Highland Mary theme. Was featured recently in Burns commemoration programme on Canadian TV. First woman to propose Immortal M emory at gathering of 600 M aster Masons and guests in Seattle Temple Auditorium.

57 Mrs. Molly Rennie, Cambuslang. Intro­ duced to Burns movement by her mother, first woman to be on Federation Executive Committee. Secretary of Lanarkshire Association 1956-58. Has represented New Zealand since 1959. Mary Campbell Ladies Club was Molly's mother's club. As old members died it ceased to function but Molly (as President) and a few friends have brought it to life again. Molly has a family of three.

May White, Belfast. Joined Belfast Burns Association soon after War. When the Secretary died in 1961 May took on the job 'for a year or two'. There May still is, with all the troubles of strife-torn Belfast adding to the normal labours of a Sec retary. Now retired for several years, May graduated from switchboard operator to secretary to managing director.

James McKechnie, Cumnock. Founder­ member of Logangate Burns Club (Inst. 1956) has held office as Treasurer (20 years) and Presi dent. Became a member of Cumnock Club in 1930 and was subsequently associated with Mauchline and Kilmarnock. Has spent working life in licensed trade. Interests are bowling, curling, gardening. Has made many good friends through the Federation.

Quiz Winners. Caledonian Society of Doncaster tea m, 1975-76 winners of the Quiz organised by Yorkshire Scottish Societies, with (centre back) Jim Parnham .~ Secretary of Yorkshire Di strict. Back-Geoff Thomas, Bryce Baird (captain). Front- Mrs. Mary Nichol, Mrs. Jean Pratt (President of the Society). 58 W . ("Vi") Broom, Chesterfield. Mrs. Stella M. Brown, Australia. Sec ­ Mrs. V . President of the Federation. Has retary of Melbourne Burns Club since 1968 An Hon. 38 conferences without a break and closely involved in Scottish Societies in attended Leeds) . Hasn't missed a Victoria. For some years she and her late (not counting Dinner in her home town for forty husband were members of the Scottish Burns ast-President and Life M ember of Country Dance Society. Has two daughters. years. A P and District Caledonian Asso­ Stella describes her occupation as 'home­ Chesterfield for 36 years Treasurer. maker' and visitors from the Federation have ciation and enjoyed her hospitality.

59 ''LANG SANDT'' ·wooo by J. L. Hempstead

D URlNG the second winter Burns spent in Edinburgh he met with an accident. Returning home one evening he was thrown from a coach , driven by a drunken coachman, and sustained "a good, serious, agonising, damn'd hard knock on the knee". It was so badly wrenched that he was confined to his room at No. 2 St. James's Square for a month. The accident prevented him from keeping a tea-drinking appoint­ Alexander ('"Lang Sandy"") Wood, from the ment with Mrs. Nancy M'Lehose and portrait by M. D. Alison, in the Scottish led to the start of the celebrated National Portrait Gallery. Clarinda/Sylvander correspondence. The surgeon who attended him was Alexander Wood, affectionately known the poet to the Commissioners of as "Lang Sandy" because of his lanky Excise: and the name of Burns was figure. He was a subscriber to the 1787 enrolled in the list of their expectant­ Edinburgh edition and seems to have officers." been an ardent admirer of the Poet and A few days after the poet's unlucky his works. A warm friendship developed fall, Lord President Dundas died, and during the four weeks he ministered to it would appear that Burns was per­ Burns, and although there is no docu­ suaded by the surgeon to write some mentary evidence to prove the point, suitable verses by way of tribute to his he is said to have used his influence to Lordship's memory. There may have secure an appointment for Burns in the been some reason in Wood's mind, Excise. First mention of this was made apart from the merits of the Lord by Robert Heron in A Memoir of the President, for making the suggestion. Life of the Late Robert Burns, pub­ Perhaps he imagined that it would be in lished in 1797: the Poet's best interest, since the late "Mr. Alexander Wood, the surgeon Lord President's brother was the power­ who attended him during the illness ful Henry Dundas ("King Harry the occasioned by his hurt, no sooner Ninth"), while his son was Solicitor understood his patient's wish, to seek General. At any rate, the idea misfired, resource in the service of the excise, and some years later, in a letter to his than he, with the usual activity of his friend Alexander Cunningham, Burns benevolence, effectually recommended expressed his feelings on the subject: 60 A sketch of "Lang Sandy" by Kay, showing the famous surgeon at the hei ght of his powers.

am obliged to read aloud a paragraph relating to one of them, I feel my fore­ head flush , and my nether lip quivers. Had I been an obscure Scribbler, as I was then in the hey-day of my fame; or had I been a dependent Hanger-on for favour or pay; or had the bearer of the letter been any other than a gentleman who has done honour to the city in which he lives, to the Country that produced him, and to the God that created him, Mr. Solicitor might have had some apology. " Alexander Wood was the son of a well-to-do farmer, who farmed an area of ground lying between Canonmills " ... 'Twas on the death of the late Lord and the present Queen Street. It was President Dundas. My very worthy and popularly known as Wood's Farm and most respected friend, Mr. Alexr. Wood, the farmhouse stood on the western Surgeon, urged me to pay a compliment extremity, near what is now Wemyss in the way of my trade, to his Lordship's Place. It was there that he was born in memory. \Veil , to work I went, and 1725. It is difficult to visualise that this produced a copy of Elegiac verses, some area, which is now so much a part of of them, I vow, rather commonplace, modern Edinburgh, was then open and others rather hide-bound, but on countryside. the whole, though they were far from Wood studied medicine at Edinburgh being in my best manner, they were University and first entered into practice tolerable ; and had they been the pro­ in Musselburgh. It was about this time duction of a Lord, or a Baronet, they that he met Dr. Alexander "Jupiter" would have been thought very clever. Carlyle, Minister of Inveresk, who, in J wrote a letter which, however, was in his Autobiography, left his impressions my very best manner, and enclosing of the young doctor: my Poem, Mr. Wood carried all together " ... Sandie Wood was very young, not to Mr. Solicitor Dundas that then was, above twenty-one or twenty-two, but and not finding him at home, left the there being an opening here by means parcel for him . His Solicitorship never of the illness of the senior practitioner, took the smallest notice of the Letter, Wood was invited out by a few of the the Poem or the Poet. principal people, and got immediately "From that time, highly as I respect into some business ... Sandie Wood was the talents of their fami ly, I never see a handsome stout fellow, with fine black the name, Dundas, in the column of a eyes, and altogether of an agreeable and newspaper, but my heart seems strait­ engaging appearance ... Some scrapes ened for room in my bosom, and if I he got into with women drove him from 61 Kay's portrait of Wood as an octogenarian. ·wood was the first person in Edinburgh to carry an umbrella.

' this place in two or three years for his good. One gentlewoman he got with child, and did not marry. When he got over this difficulty, another fell with child to him, whom he married. She died of her child; and Sanders was soon after called to a berth in Edin­ burgh." Following his return, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1756, and entered into partnership with Messrs. Rattray and Congleton, eminent men of their day, ultimately succeeding to the practice. He appears to have been gifted with great natural talents and possessed an uncanny ability to diagnose complaints. He attained great professional cele­ brity in Edinburgh, where his philan­ th~opy and kindness were proverbial. It 1s recorded by Lockhart in his Life of Sir Walter Scott, that he was one of reminiscences of old Edinburgh-who tho.se consulted by Scott's parents on was at least eighty years of age, when in their son's lameness. His unfailing high repute as a medical man, he could attention to the indigent sick whom he yet direct himself in his walks with the visited, often in the most wretched con­ 'High Schuil laddies', or bestow the ditions, after he had given up general relics of his benevolence in feeding a practice, is proof of his complete dedi­ sheep or a raven." ~ation to his profession. He was held The sheep and the raven mentioned m very high esteem by his medical by Byron were well-known to the people colleagues, and his dexterity and skill of Edinburgh at that time. They seem in operating did much to raise the stand­ to have been particular pets of "Lang ard and reputation of the surgical Sandy" who was also noted for his love department of the Royal Infirmary. .of animals. The story g~es that "Willy", In a fragment of the fifth Canto of a sheep pastured on ground which now "Childe Harold", which appeared in forms part o~ St. Andrew's Square, was Blackwood's Magazine in 1818, Byron to be ~een dally, standing at the railings, wrote: watchmg for the surgeon going to or coming from his house in York Place. "Oh! for an hour of him who knew no feud­ His coat-pocket The octogenarian chief, the kind old S11.ndy always contained a Wood;" tit-bit for "Willy", and invariably, the sheep would trot after him as he visited and in a note to the stanza, he spoke of his patients throughout the town. him a:. A domesticated raven at "S:i..:i.d:; an ale-and­ Wood-one of the delightful porter shop in North Castle Street also 62 vigil for him. It could the best possible advice a' this while. If kept a daily and recognise him at a distance when he ye'll tak' haud o' my coat-tail George Street and, swoop­ follow me for a week, as ye've been passed along hae ing low, would accompany him on one of daein' for the last ten minutes, ye'll his forenoon walks-he never used a nae mair trouble wi' your stomach". carriage when he could walk, declaring Another humorous story has survived that no vehicle could be found that of his confrontation with his prospec­ would take him through the narrow tive father-in-law. It took place shortly closes and up the turnpike stairs. after his return to Edinburgh, following a familiar figure in the streets his amorous indiscretions in Mussel­ He was Vera, of Edinburgh and became extremely burgh. He sought the hand of popular with the poorer classes, no second daughter of George Chalmers, doubt because of the good work he did W.S., and when asked how he proposed among them. Proof of this is to be to support a wife and family, he took following story. Sir James out his lancet case and said, "I have found in the to Stirling, Lord Provost at the time, was . nothing but this and a determination unpopular on account of his opposition succeed in my profession". His future for the reform of the. Royal father-in-law was so impressed by his to a scheme readily Burghs of Scotland. He and "Lang direct and honest reply that he Sandy" were so alike in appearance that gave his consent. often mistaken for the other. He was an enthusiastic admirer of one was she One evening an angry mob, under the the great Mrs. Siddons, and when they had the Provost, was at the theatre in Edinburgh, he was impression that was were dragging the kind Doctor to the usually to be found in the pit, which of the North Bridge with the the favourite spot of the theatrical edge reports intention of throwing him over, when critics of the day. According to to yell above the din, it was a point of fashion with the ladies he managed and "I'm 'Lang Sandy' Wood-Tak' me to to faint during the performance ye'll see". The crowd, when Sandy's services were very much in a lamp an' his they realised their mistake, instantly demand on such occasions, much to him and dispersed with shouts disgust. One evening, when the house released scenes of laughter. had been disrupted by repeated were of this kind, and when he was making Although Sir James and Sandy some silly respect by the his way out of the pit to attend held in such different remarked as he they were intimate friends. females, a friend townspeople, struggled past, "This is glorious acting, The story goes that on one occasion to when the Sandy," referring to Mrs. Siddons, they met in the High Street, "Yes, and a guinea in the Doctor's which Sandy retorted, Provost put a o't too". at the same time complaining· of damned deal hand, a city indigestion and stomach trouble and The Edinburgh of his day was his advice. Without speaking, of clubs and taverns, and many a song asked for claret. "Lang Sandy" retreated from Sir James, was generated over a bottle of to follow him for some "Lang Sandy" seems to have enjoyed who continued of considerable distance, finally reproach­ this side of life as he was a member ing him for having taken his guinea many clubs. He could sing a good song any advice in return. and indulge in a bit of "sensible non­ without offering A It was probably one of the easiest sense", to use one of his own phrases. that he ever earned as his book of songs, bearing the quaint title guineas dedi­ simple reply shows-"You're quite of Cantilenae Gymnasticae, was wrong, Sir James, I hae been gi'en ye cated to him and a fellow surgeon. 63 Photo by courtesy "A ltrincham Guardian. " Mr. A. Brindley Roberts. of Hal e, Cheshire, at his show at Hale, in January, of 22 paintings of Burns and the Burns Country. Mr. Roberts, as previously, hung several of his pictures in the Globe Inn , Dumfries, this summer, proceeds of sales of these being donated to the Jean Armour houses at Mauchline, Mr. Roberts is a retired draughtsman.

He was a keen golfer and continued written on old Edinburgh- its annals, to play till the very last years of hi s romance, characters, streets and clubs, life. Although his calling kept him In many of them is to be found some busily occupied, he could always find anecdote or reminiscence associated time for healthful relaxation and social with "Lang Sandy" Wood, pleasure. Like Robert Burns he possessed "the In 1792, he appeared with an umbrella pitying heart that felt for human woe'', the first person in Edinburgh to do so­ and his character was nobly expressed a huge gingham apparatus that caused in the following lines- part of an epi­ something of a sensation. It is apprn­ taph written by Sir Alexander Boswell: priate that one of Kay's portraits shows But cold him as a venerable octogenarian, the heart that feels no genial glow, with Pondering on him whose ashes sleep umbrella under his arm, making his below; way over the North Bridge. A second Whose vivid mind, with grasping power, portrait by Kay represents him at the could reach height of his powers, with a cane thrown Truths that the plodding schools can never smartly over his shoulder and his tri­ teach. corne hat set at a jaunty angle. Who scorned, in honesty, the specious wiles He died on 12th May, 1807, and was Of dull importance, buried or of fawning smiles; in the churchyard at Restalrig. Who scouted feelings frittered and refined, A large number of books have been But had an ample heart for all mankind. 64 A ''IIlGHLAND MARY" MEMORIAL

This memoria l at Failford, near, Mauchline commemorates the parting of Burns and "Highland Mary". The inscription informs the reader that it was erected by the Burns Federation with funds provided by Messrs. Harland and Wolff, Shipbuilders, Greenock. Mary Campbell died in 1 786 and was buried in the Old West Highland Churchyard, Greencck. Some fifty years ago the churchyard was needed for industrial expansion and her remains were removed to Greenock Cemetery. Following this, Harland and Wolff provided the funds for the erection of the memorial. Photo by K. M. Andrew ANDERSON WILSON MEMORIAL FUND A BRIEF reference to the setting up to further this interest. The s pecific of this fund was made in the object of the Fund is to encourage previous issue of the Chronicle. It is Scottish literature and the arts among encouraging to be able to report that young people under eighteen, whose subscriptions to it have now passed parents are members of Federated the £300 mark. Scottish Societies in England and For members of Bums Clubs who Wales. may not be fully acquainted with the The administration of the Fund is purpose of the Fund the following vested in the Scottish Literature Com­ information may be helpful. mittee of the Burns Federation who Anderson Wilson, who died in will make awards for prizes or ex­ 1974, had rendered outstanding ser­ penses within the limits of the annual vice to the Burns movement. He was income available. The Fund will not Federation President in 1961 /62 and be used to provide adult travelling for over forty years was a member expern;es including those of Executive of the Executive Council. He held Council representatives who may numerous important offices in the attend any competition involving Burns movement in England and at applicants to the Fund. the time of his death was Chairman Application forms for grants may of the North and East Midlands be obtained from the Hon. Secretary District. and Treasurer, Burns Federation, His great delight was in the en­ Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, couragement of Scotfr.h literature Kilmarnock. and poetry among young people Donations to the Fund will be south of the Border and it is appro­ welcomed. They should be sent to the priate that the Memorial Fund ~ eeks address given above. 65 \... •'

\ "A Poet Apart" by Jane Burgoyne

This is the concluding extract from Mrs. sity, what movement, what incessant Burgoyne's translation of the French critic action, and where necessary what Auguste Angellier's "Life of Burns". We energy! He takes such a grip of reality would like to thank Mrs. Burgoyne for that he brings out the comic or the having made this valuable translation avail­ eloquent merely by squeezing it. And able to readers of the Burns Chronicle. For what variety too not only of the senti.: reasons of space it has been necessary to omit the situations and the work of other poets. ments, but also in material involving even the form! Yes, it is true, his BURNS'S work is neither very lofty representation of life is reduced and nor very, complex nor profound. He summary: he k110ws neither its grand­ was not one of those prophetic souls, eurs, its heroisms, its ,sacrifices, its such as this century has known them, subtleties, its deprivations, its rare who scale the highest peaks of the fruits and delicate flowers. He offers present in order to catch a glimps of the only the whole-meal bread. future, and announce new lands; nor But one may say that at the point was he one of those subtle souls who where he takes hold of existence he discover in the human heart new layers reproduces it in its entirety. He is like of suffering, joy, scruple or reverie; one of those showmen who have only a nor was he one of those souls tormented little theatre, and yet put a whole world by the problems of Fate, who bruise into their box. In many a great theatre, themselves against the wall of the pompous, pretentious and rich, there Unknown which encloses the world. is not a quarter of the vitality, obser­ His was a mind that dwelt in the middle vation and truth that goes on in that regions. He was content with current popular booth. reality: He reproduced human life at With that there are more ethereal its commonest, and he described it sides. He possesses a lyrical gift which, rather than penetrated it. by 'the sheer pace of the stanzas, takes This representation is short and dis­ hold of realism, lifts it almost out of jointed: it consists of a series of reality. ·This gift, which appears in sketches, of detached rough outlines. almost all of his poems, bursts forth in In what it does best it discovers nothing his songs. -Tiley reach that height where and does not even penetrate very deeply. the meaning of the words melts into The sentiments and the characters are musical emotion, where the words sing ordinary: one could almost say that almost like notes. But there again, they tended to be commonplace, if they however light and winged they are, were not so precise and compact. They they are rea:l, they remain earthly. The are admirably grasped, but they are only modern songs with which one can rather superficial as a result of the compare them for the musical quality rapidity of the drawing and are even are Shelley's. Those of the latter have, diminutive, of small stature. so to speak, less body: they are purely Ne"._ertheless what truth, what inten- ethereal. Burns's song is the lark when 66 we see it still fluttering above the corn­ densation and that is why he is surpris­ field. ing. His works were the simple exercise of a mind so vital and superabundant The waken'd laverock warbling springs, that they are strong without any effort. And climbs the early sky. incomparable sincerity envelops all Winnowing blithe his dewy wings An In morning's rosy eye. that he produced, like an atmosphere. (Now Spring has clad the grove in green.) The excellence of Burns, says Carlyle, is indeed, among the rarest, whether in · Shelley's is the lark' when it has poetry or prose, but at the same time it become invisible, and nothing is left is plain and easily recognised: his but, notes falling from the sky. sincerity, his indisputable air of truth. The pale purple even Burns is absolutely outside and apart Melts around thy flight; from English literature. He is not Like a star of heaven attached to it by his origins, which are In the broad daylight those, as we have seen, entirely local Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill and Scottish. He does not belong to it delight. by his manner and his inspiration which (Translator's note: The French author are as different from those of modern here discusses Song throughout the poetry as it is possible to imagine. ages, showing how Burns differs from As for Burns's influence on English the other poets. He goes on:) literature, one may say that he had Burns's form .is admirable, it is none. We have been surprised to find perfect. He is perhaps the most classic in a criticism as perspicacious as M. writer in the English language. I mean Shairp's that if he had been little in the style of the Greeks, not that of the affected by his contemporaries he had Latins, who lacked spontaneity and had· a great deal of influence on those movement. He is this by the clarity who came after him. Wordsworth and solidity of the construction, the avows that it was from Burns that he exact proportion between expression learned the power of songs based on and thought, the disdain of embellish­ humble truth. Burns had "taught liis ments, the sobriety of the words, the youth how verse may build a princely simple vigour, the austere clear-cut throne on humble truth". strength of the phrase, something con­ But there is no influence because densed, compact and bare. there is no resemblance. Wordsworth's He is it also by a moderate language familiar poems, reflective, moral, pain-, which does not aim at being lofty and fully simple, to the point of being profound, but is always concrete, and infantile, very slow-paced, have no clothes even lofty truths with· a solid, rapport either in subject matter or earthy form, as did the ancients. manner with the robust descriptions of One might say that Burns is· too Bums. They rather derive, as far as the vehement. He has a piling up and a tone is concerned, from the interesting bustle of meaning, a too hurried pace. tender passages on humble subjects He has not the leisure of the ancients. . scattered about in Cowper's poem, The His·gifts exercise themselves with an Task. As for the rest of the English ease such as one would find among the school (Byron, Shelley, Coleridge, Keats, improvisors whose productions do not Browning, Swinburne and even Thomas rise to art. All that gives rise to limpid Hood) one need only evoke with their rivulets like those hill-springs, inex­ names the poetry they created to see haustible. No poet has written with such that they owe nothing to' Bums. ease and at the same time such con- It has been said that Bums contri- 67 '- buted to bringing back the feeling for is no poet who can better replace the Nature in English literature. We have ancients. He has along with that a still seen how false that is. It has also been greater influence, one which seems said that he restored passion to it. If constantly growing. His poetry has a that means that he enriched it by a book strength of action. It is practical and in which there is passion, yes; if it efficacious. It speaks of gaiety, good­ means that he communicated that ness and valour with a convincing passion to others, no. That is a gift that accent. It is made not for the lofty does not transmit, it dies with the one dilettantes of reverie but for the workers who suffered from it and remains of life, those who need a virile word to immortal. Much more, in Scottish put heart into them, to sing a light­ literature itself, his influence is not much hearted song to give them back hope. more felt. The one who after him is the It circulates in the people. It is a source greatest Scots poet, Hogg, is a disciple of proverbs, choruses, brief and telling of the old ballads and Sir Walter Scott. precepts. The song-writers who continue the He is perhaps at this hour the most Scottish tradition, like Tannahill, quoted modern poet in the world. His Baroness Nairn, Robert Nicol, have songs resound in America, in Australia, simply imitated the old songs, as Burns · in India, wherever the English language did before them. Charles Kingsley is spoken, and his verses-his, who had rightly remarks that the songs written so little love for the priests-are quoted before him are obviously of greater even i.n the pulpit by the gravest, purest value than those written after him. voices. He has augmented the number Nothing has been done which has con­ of those beneficent books in which men tinued his Tam o' Shanter, or his Jolly find moments of gaiety, tenderness, Beggars, or his little poems or his enthusiasm superior to the life they Epistles. The forms themselves seem to lead. And by that again he has suddenly be abandoned and appear to belong to become a classic without passing the old times. The truth is that in through this ordeal of influence and reality Burns was the culminating point literary fashion, in which the greatest of a native literature which now seems undergo criticisms, suffer curtailments, closed. He was the most brilliant, the . know discussion, vicissitudes and dis­ most succulent, the last fruit on the paragements to take their definite place highest branch of the old Scottish tree. afterwards. That is not to say that he has no He is assured of singular chances of influence. On the contrary he has had a survival. His language is so simple it considerable influence. If it is not a will never grow old. He does not go the narrow one on literary style, he has a length of using a separate dialect, sub­ general literary influence, like th~ great tracted henceforth from the fluctuations writers who are models, to whom inen of the literary language. And he is pre­ of every age go for lessons on the served from other causes of ruin or manipulation of thought: There his dilapidation. The part of general con­ influence is wholly one of energy, of. siderations is important in the modern direct,' prompt progress. It is impossible poets. to live with him for any length of time (Translator's note: Here follows a dis­ without getting a taste for simplicity, cussion on the philosophic works of without leaving aside anything that poets such as Wordsworth, Shelley, savours of development, tedium and Byron, Tennyson.) affectation. Life sweeps away philosophy. The His method is firm and male. There problems which it meets with are • 68 eternal. The peasant who says: "We brings, one with a silver goblet, the other don't know where we go when we are with a crystal cup, another with an dead" has said the last word on human earthenware jar, another with a rich philosophy. enamel chalice, and another with a poor To ensure that he escapes the break­ clay bowl. Each drinks a different ' down of fame wrought by tin:e, there 9.uantity, and tastes it differently: but is added the interest of his exceptional 1t refreshes them all, and puts its situation. He is the unique poet of the sweetness on their lips. peasants and the poor. Others have Throughout the ages they succeed tried to describe their miseries and their each other in thousands, and never two joys. They have sung about the of them will take the same quantity or wretched. Here it is the peasants who find the same flavour. This thought sing. They speak for themselves; they gives all critical work a bitterness-the hold up their heads proudly; they k!1<;>wledgc that it is incomplete, pro­ declare that they are as proud and V1S1onal, ephemeral. Even to this jovial as the rest; they vindicate the sequestered fountain which has been honour of being men, often better than for us a favourite spot, whose freshness those above them. Wordsworth spoke we have savoured long-too long of them like a virtuous, optimistic perhaps-and the charm of which we shepherd, Crabbe like a penetrating, have tried to describe, other men will . melancholy doctor. Whatever sym­ come to whom our w~y of feeling will pathy, serene or severe, which they may appear insufficient, and who will think have felt there is in their work a little that we have understood the subject counsel and pity, which savours of badly. But after all we shall have drunk superiority. clear, healthy water, and perhaps too Burns is a peasant. If he has written we shall have shown the way to those of their distresses in poignant accents whose footsteps will cover ours. , he has also been the poet of their pride, their efforts, and their loves. He has described the existence of the country­ people in a definite fashion, which is very accurate and very human at the same time. The strength of his genius THE LEARNER which may never be by a phenomenon baggy-pipes renewed, made him leave his sphere of He ettled tae biaw the local poet to place himself in the ranks But hadna eneuch win' He will remain He squeezed the bag an' lipped the of the universal poets. · a unique case in literatu_re, "a repre­ drone. . . sentative man," according to Emerson's The kye cam rinnin in!' words, the glorious type of poor rustic He tried the chanter on its lane poets, who never managed to rise It wheepit oot a whistle. above the soil. His chest hove oot an back again On reaching its end this study, how­ An' the down blew aff the thistle! ever long and minute it has been, is every­ ln's oxter or atween his knees conscious that it has not said same: thing. We never exhaust a work of art. The pipes gratjist the is like an eternal foun­ So he pit the bag on its fower feet A work of art hame. tain; men of diverse skies and centuries An watched it hirplin make long pilgrimages to it. Each of SANDY THOMAS ROSS . · them draws from it with the vessel he (From "Bairnsallf!•) 59 Molly Rennie and John Ham ilton during the concert in the House of Friendship. Molly is a member of the Executive and John is one of Vice-Presidents of the Glasgow and District Burns Association.

TO RUSS IA AGAIN p oR the second successive year, toasted his Immortal Memory. members of the Federation Jour­ Once again, the driving force of neyed to Moscow. There, on Sunday, Gordon Hepburn (Nairn Travel, Kirk­ January 25th, in the company of some caldy), with the co-operation of George eighty Russian guests, the 120-strong McAlister, Secretary of the Scotland­ party celebrated Burns's birth and U.S.S.R. Friendship Society, ensured a 70 As one artiste to another; Pipe-Sgt. Jimmy McCallum with one of the performers.

memorable evening for all who were privileged to attend. As last year, the generous donations of the Famous Grouse Whisky and "neeps", made certain the visitors did not travel empty­ handed. The Hotel lntourist, where the party stayed, proved an ideal touring centre. From the hotel, tours of the city, the Kremlin, Exhibition of Economic Achievements, the State Circus and the Metro- what magnificence there is in this complex beneath the streets of Moscow- proved to be most enjoyable. Unquestionably, however, the highlight of the four-day stay in the Soviet capital was the Burns Supper. Arrangements for the speakers at the supper had not been without problems. Jane Burgoyne, who was to propose the , was unable to make Immortal Memory Feld­ there had to be a change Molly Rennie sang, Gabriel the journey; for honest lady to reply to "The Lasses", and man delivered "Is there of and Russian, flu prevented a Russian guest- Pro­ Poverty" both in Scots a similar job with fessor Boris Bratus- from proposing Tom Campbell did Jo", and the that toast. "John_ Anderson my. Balalaika Band and singers and our On the evening, Gordon Hepburn, Jimmy Mc­ Tom own piper, Pipe Sergeant made an excellent chairman. made their own unique contri­ Club, Kilmarnock, Callum Campbell, Howff butions. To George McAlister fell the proposed an inspiring "Immortal Mem­ of thanking all who had George pleasant duty ory". At the last moment providing a memorable toast "the shar~d in Hamilton undertook to even mg. which he did delightfully and Lasses", Lang , by Mrs. F. A. D. Highway, Too soon it was time for Auld the reply begun at 7.30 Secretary of the Birmingham and Syne. The evening had Societies and Burns p.m. and it was now close to 1 a.m. Midlands Scottish seemed matched the proposer's efforts. But after such an evening, there Clubs, to this Anderson, Publicity Officer for to be added depth in meaning George a Burns the Federation, proposed the toast, traditional way of ending "Our Guests," and this was replied to Supper. by Mr. Alexei Surkov, 75-year-old The following day, Federation mem­ President of the U.S.R.R./Great Britain bers were entertained to a concert in Friendship Society. The Haggis was the "House of Friendship'. Enter­ addressed by Alex Bruce from Edin­ tainment was provided by Russians, burgh. reading and singing in English. If 71 proof were needed, here was an example took part in a short interview. of the genuine interest-and knowledge Successful? The answer is an un­ - the Russians have of Burns. This reserved "Yes" . The opinion of those event was televised by the Russians. who attended last year was that this At the end, four members of the party, visit was even better, a view supported Mrs. Carol Hurt, Annan Ladies Club, by the number of people who said that Tom Campbell, who spoke in Russian, they would gladly make the trip again. Gordon Hepburn and George Anderson G. A.

Three styles of applause from (left to right) ; Alexei Surkov, President USSR-Great Britain Friendship Society; Tom Campbell, Vice-Chairman Scotland-USSR Friendship Society and George Anderson, Publicity Officer, Burns Federation.

72 , LETTER TO THE EDITOR A BURNS GARDEN

39 Allan Park Drive, Edinburgh EH14 lLW. Dear Sir-On a visit to Birmingham quotations, could be displayed at the two years ago I stayed at Edgbaston, entrance to the garden. Copies of the near the Shakespeare country. list could be sold to defray expenses and One evening I took a walk through these I am sure would prove popular Lightwoods Park and came · across a with visitors and even more attractive if very interesting garden, laid out with photographs were included. most of the flowers, plants, fruit, vege­ With these thoughts in mind I read, tables and trees mentioned in the works over a long period, through Rabbie's of Shakespeare. works, as contained in Collins's Poetical The garden had been the brain child Works of Robert Burns and extracted of Mr. G. Johnson, BA, Chairman of· the names of all the plants, etc., men­ the City of Birmingham Parks Com­ tioned by him, with their respective mittee. As it developed it became references. , ' apparent that the garden would be more Apart from such general descriptive interesting and educational if visitors words as bower, forest, fruit, garden, could purchase a list of the plants and grove, trees or woods which are men­ their references within the poet's works. tioned in 90 lines of Burns's works the Mr. Johnson undertook the mammoth list is quite a formidable one of 98 items task of reading through Shakespeare's appearing in 542 lines of his poems. names of all the works, extracting the Although the list is too large to print plants mentioned, their position in the and names qf the the here with quotations play ,the speaker of the line and those interested I list the the botanical poems, for actual words. He added names of the plants, etc., in their names to the list and had it published entirety: in the form of a bookie;t. The list contained 214 flowers, etc., Aik, Aits, Ananas, Apple, Ash, Barley, to plays. Bay, Bean, Beech, Berries, Birch, Bloom, and 490 references Briar, Broom, On first viewing this garden my im­ Blossom, Bluebell, Bracken, have a Bud, Bush, Cherry, Clover, Corn, Cows­ mediate reaction was "Why not lip, Crab Apple, Daisy, Elm, Ferns, Fig, garden on similar lines for our National Fir, Flax, Flower, Foxglove, Garland, Poet-Burns?". Gowan, Grass, Harebell, Hawthorn, Hay, . Some quiet corner in Ayrshire prefer­ Hazel, Heather, Heather Bells, Hedge, ably near Burns's Cottage, could be laid Hemp-seed, Holly, Hyacinth, Ivy, Kail, out with most· of the flowers, etc., Laurel, Lawn, Lea, Leaves, Lilac, Lily, mentioned in his poems or an existing Lime, Mosses, Myrtle, Nettle, Oak, Oats, garden could be adapted. A little Olive, Onion, Orange, Peaches, Pea, Pim., sheet under glass Pink, Poppies, Posie, Potatoes, Primroses, plaque or typewritten Ragweed, Ripp, Rose, Rue, Rushes, Rye, could be set down beside each exhibit, Sapling, Saugh, Scroggy, Sedge, Shaw, giving the relevant name and refor­ Sloe, Snowdrop, Stibble, Straw, Sybow, ence. As an alternative a framed Thorn, Thyme, Timber, Thistle, Vines, notice board containing the complete Violets, Wallflower, Weed, Wheat, Whins, list of contents of the garden, with Willow, Woodbine, Yard. 73 On my search through his works I adapt in certain poems. As I was only discovered the interesting fact that covering flowers no doubt such "stand­ Bums appeared to have "standard" ard" lines would also have come to lines or phrases in his mind for certain light had I been exploring another occasions which he tended to repeat or subject. The lines I found are:

The Gallant Weaver While birds rejoice in leafy bowers Logan Braes The birds rejoice in leafy bowers You're welcome Willie Stewart There's ne'er a flower that blooms in May Lovely Polly Stewart There's ne'er a flower that blooms in May The gard'ner wi' his paidle When rosy May comes in wi' flowers Dainty Davie Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers The Gallant Weaver By mony a flower and spreading tree Craigieburn Wood (2nd) I see the flowers and spreading trees. Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes (1) Beneath the hazels spreading wide Ca' the Y owes to the Knowes (2) Through the hazels spreading wide The Poet's Progress So by some hedge the generous steed deceas'd Second Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of Fintry ·So by some hedge the gen'rous steed deceas'd As I stood by yon roofless tower Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower , A Vision Where the howlet mourns in her ivy bower. As I stood by yon roofless tower Where the wa'flow'r scents the dewy air A Vision Where the wa'flow'r scents the dewy air Verses in Friar's Carse Hermitage Be thou clad in russet weed Written in Friar's Carse Hermitage on Nith­ side, Later Version Be thou clad in russet weed Hallowe'en She thro' the whins an' by the cairn Tam o Shanter And thro' the whins and by the cairn Alastair M. R. Hardie.

Editor's Note-A garden containing plants referred to in the works of Burns is to be laid out at Dean Castle, Kilmarnock. '

The ultimate Scottish international team would be: Knox; Wallace, Bruce; Burns, Montrose, Dunbar; Adam, Napier, Smith, Telford and Stewart. Absolute certainty of salvation in goal; tigerish tackling and devilish cunning at full-back; a centre back of legendary courage and dash; two earthily honest wing halves, who are robust yet sweetly constructive; and an old-fashioned forward line of five attackers, blending wit, craft and creativity, linking superbly and full of running. The left-winger can be Charles Edward, Lachie, or Jackie-they could all shift a bit when the going was good or bad. From "This Is My Country" by W. Gordon Smith. Souvenir Press, 43 Great Russell Street, London. £4·95.

74 Rosalind Keyte and Anne Gaw- the instigators.

"IRVINE LASSES"

THE idea of a Lasses Burns Club was first conceived in mid-January, 1975, by Rosalind Keyte and Anne Gaw, both of Irvine, who felt that for too long, the public acclamation of the work of our national bard had been confined to the male population of the town. They were sure that the poet must have many feminine admirers and that it was time a club was formed by these. A letter to the local press and follow-up publicity by the papers brought forth several interested enquiries. A public meeting was held and, in a blaze of local publicity, on February 5th, 1975, the Irvine Lasses Burns Club was born. Its activities have been varied, with monthly meetings being addressed by various speakers on different aspects of Robert Bu.rns's life. A matter of opinion panel and a Burns Quiz proved most enjoyable ancf informative. Outings have also been arranged to places of interest connected with the poet. An extremely popular activity is that of the Poetry Reading Group which meets regularly. Their interest is not limited to the poetry of Robert Burns though members are encouraged to concentrate on Scottish verse. The culmination of a very successful year was the Burns Supper, held in the Eglinton Arms Hotel, on 30th January, 1976. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by well-known journalist and broadcaster, Don Whyte. In recognition of International Women's Year part of his speech consisted of a parody entitled "Kate o' Shanter", in humorous vein, and his oration was warmly received. An innovation was a "Toast to the Laddies," the subject ably dealt with by 21-year-old Agnes Campbell. 75 BOOK REVIEWS It is Finished! The Magnificent S.N.D. by Cuthbert Graham

SCOTTISH NATIONAL DICTIONARY, edited by WILLIAM GRANT and DAVID MURISON. Ten Volumes. Scottish National Dictionary Association, 27 George Square, Edinburgh, £150 THE trouble about attempting a review of this magnificent and monumental work is that once you sit down to browse over volume after volume you cannot stop. You are caught up in the true inwardness of being a Scot. You see how, for not far off three centuries, your countrymen have returned again and again to words and phrases that differ perhaps only slightly from standard English usage, yet that difference is the difference between life and death. In Burns's "The Twa Dogs" Caesar, the laird's dog is describing the diet in the Big Hoose. "Frae morn to een" he says- • ... it's nought but toiling, At baking, roasting, frying, boiling: An' tho' the gentry first are steghan, Yet ev'n the ha' folk fill their peghan Wi' sauce, ragouts, an' sic like trashtrie, That's little short o' downright wastrie. "Wastrie" is a word which differs only infinitesimally from the plain English word· waste. It is shared between Scots and the northern English dialects, yet what a history of peculiar eloquence it has in Scots imaginative writing! Five years after Burns used it, it was used again by the Edinburgh poet J. Lear­ mont in a slightly different context in the couplet: The waefu chaps about your house Who wade 'mang wast'ry and abuse. · There is a suggestion here of the horror with which the thrifty Scot has always regarded waste, which is akin to Oliphant's sombre prose usage in 1849: "There was want among them often times, idleset and wastry being near friends,·' and Stevenson's prim speech from "Catriona" in 1893: "My disposition has always been opposed to wastery". With Bell's "Country Clash" from Argyllshire in 1914 we are straight back in full braid Scots: "It wad be terrible wastery to spend sae muckle on a goon". · Then in the middle of World War I we hear the reverberating Doric of "Dockens Afore His Peers" in which Charles Murray's Aberdeenshire farn:er tries to bluff the Exemption Tribunal into dismissing his case without prying too much into his surplus manpower: Fat said ye? Fatna fouk hae I enoo' at Dockenhill? It's just a wastrie o' your time to rin them throu', but still- 76 "Wastrie" is still going strong in Edinburgh in 1920 when in A. C. Leighton's "Tibbie's Yarns" we hear that-"buttered toast wad be twa kitchens, and fair wastray". Finally in 1952 that true sprig of the House of Haldane, Naomi Mitchi­ son, makes a character in "Lobsters on the Agenda" recapitulate the ancient wisdom: "There's nothing ever gained by wastry". This is only the start of over two columns on the Scottish variants and derivatives of the English word waste, but it will serve well enough to illustrate the historical method which makes the Scottish National Dictionary so entertaining to read. It was laid down by William Grant, the first editor of the S.N.D., who had been collecting material on Scottish words and pronunciations from 1907 onwards prior to assuming full-tirr.e duties as editor in 1929. He used the traditional system of excerpting texts on to slips of paper and refined upon it as he and his deputy editor David Murison went along. Grant died in 1946 when the Dictionary had reached only so far as the letter C, thus Dr. Murison had personally to edit eight of the ten 550-page volumes, carrying through the whole majestic enterprise to its triumphant conclusion early this year. By that time 500,000 quotation slips, sorted alphabetically into bundles according to the word illustrated, had been assimilated, after assemblage by around 200 voluntary readers. But ifthat had been all the Dictionary would have been a record merely of the written language. A score of voluntary sub-editors, each selected for special knowledge of the speech of a particular region, advised on dialect variations and suggested emendations and additions in the light of their local expertise, while 100 correspondents answered publicly circulated questionnaires, according to a system pioneered by Dr. Murison in 1947. They supplied information on the pronunciations, meanings and past and present currency in particular areas of almo t every word and meaning.

Dr. David Murison, co-editor of the ten-volume Scottish National Dictionary, completed this year. Photo by courtesy" The Scotsman".

77 Even in the verrn;cular new words are constantly entering the language-some­ times as pure inventions for particular purposes, as for example the slogans of ' University student ~hows, which have sometimes caught on to such an extent that they became phrases of universal currency in the region concerned. The Dictionary was concerned not merely with exotic vernacular words, but with legal and institutional terms, special names for particular .Scottish traditio,nal customs and beliefs, proper names like those of fairs and markets, Scottish currency, weights and measures, place names which have local forms and sometimes far

from obvious pronunciations (such as A'ach for Avoch1 Aigle for Edzell, Engie for Enzie and so on). ' While during his decades as editor Dr. Murison has been tremendously saddened by the decline in the use of a full canon of vernacular by the average Scot, compar­ atively few of the grand old words have actually dropped completely out of currency and become obsolete. So in a sense it could be said that they are "not dead but sleeping". And of all 1the agencies now at work which we may hope will give them new life, the Dictionary is the most importan~. Hugh MacDiarmid has hailed the S.N.D. as "the foundation stone of the new Scotland" and so indeed it is. Of Robert Burns it has frequently been said that at the very critical period in which he lived he reanimated Scotland's nationhood and language. The same may yet be said of the Scottish National Dictionary in our day, a day in which there is a world-wide hunger for a renewed sense of identity, a longing in the midst of featureless architecture and a machine society to rediscover roots that will link us to our past-not in any superficial search for glamour and sentiment, but in genuine knowledge and understanding of our social inheritance. It was a sound instinct which induced the Burns Federation to give its support to the S.N.D. in difficult times. By its very historical nature the dictionary places Burns firmly at the heart of our vernacular inheritance. It would be safe to assume that his name appears more frequently than any other in the sheaf of quotations by which the development of Scots words is traced from the eighteenth century to the present day. At the same time every nook and cranny of Scotland is represented from Selkirk to Shetland, from Aberdeenshire to Argyll, and this enables us to see Burns in the setting of the whole nation and its widely idiosyncratic dialects. If he could have seen the dictionary he would, we may be sure, have gloried in the rich profusion by which he found himself accompanied. It remains for the further work of producing a one-volume condensation of the S.N.D. which will be serviceable to the widest possible range of the Scottish population to be carried forward. When that is completed we will be equipped to face the world with a word-book which every Scot m~y put on the shelf, but we will still return to the superb and copfous source and 'bless- the names of Grant and Murison.

ROBERT BURNS-A LIFE, by HUGH DOUGLAS (Robert Hale, £5·50) This is a comparatively short life of Burns, running to 233 pages plus a copious index. Mr. Douglas comments in his foreword: "For many years I have felt that, grateful as we ought to be to the fine scholars who have worked on Bums and his 78 Hugh Douglas, author of Robert Burns­ A Life. " Burns was a human being who, if he lived his life over again would order it very differently- and the result would be very much the same!" writings in this century, we have reached a point at which the poet has come under so many microscopes that we tend to see only the details of his life, much magnified, and to lose sight of .. . the man and the poet. It is time to rediscover him and to place him in the context of his time and in relation to the people whom he knew. " If Mr. Douglas has a special qualification for this attempt it is that hi s "father was a farmer upon the Carrick border" and although "life on a tenant farm close to the river Doon in the 1930's may have been gentler than that which William Burnes and his family knew in the l 760's, yet its quality was very much the same. Both were times of rapid change and irn:ecurity and of long hard hours of ill­ rewarded work. There was little time to stop to admire the folding Ayrshire hills, for to us, as to Burns, this was earth which needed much persuasion to give up its harvest" . But Mr. Douglas, who is also the author of a workmanlike "Portrait of the Burns Country", has not allowed undue emphasis on the agricultural aspect to knock his story out of shape. In fact, to me, one of the most satisfying features of his biography is its treatment of the last phase of the poet's life in Dumfries when he had put the cruel struggle with the land behind him for good. He does, however, deal with each of the farms and their shaping influence. This he relates very effectively to the poetry itself. He sees "The Cotter's Saturday Night" as related particularly to memories of Alloway, as well as to Mount Oliphant and Lochlie. Burns, he feels , must have waited at the door for his own father at New Gardens: Th' expectant wee-things, toddlan, stachar thro' To meet their Dad, wi ' fichterin noise and glee, His wee-bit ingle blinkan bonilie ... Of Mount Oliphant he reminds us that its soil had been in no way improved. "It lay on an exposed slope facing towards the Firth of Clyde, the first to receive the rain borne in on the prevailing westerly winds, and there is a note of bitterness in Gilbert's memory of the farm: it was almost the poorest soil under the plough that he ever knew- so bad that after thirty years of cultivation, further improve­ ments and an enormous rise in Scottish land values, the farm was let at £5 a year less than the rent paid by his father in 1766." 79 After that, it is suggested, Lochlie must have come as a blessed relief. "This was the rolling, rumpled, hillocky heartland of Kyle-wet but.in better condition altogether than Mount Oliphant had ever been. Most important of all, from the view of William Burnes, there was more ofit. One hundred and thirty acres promised a fair living and postponed any possibility of the dispersal of the family. The situation must have reminded Burnes of his own father's position in Kincardine­ shire a generation before-the desperate search for capital and a larger more viable unit of land to hold the family together and his ultimate failure even with a loan and additional farms." But, "whatever relief there was was short-lived, although the first years at Lochlie were the only time of utter contentment that the Burneses were ever to know". Mr. Douglas has no high-flying theories to peddle. He sticks close to Burns's own words, to his correspondence and to the evidence of his poetry at every point. Sometimes of course these present difficulties of interpretation. There is the notori­ ous letter 'to Ainslie describing his behaviour to Jean Armour at Mauchline, the horselitter episode. ' "Today," says Douglas, "one's blood runs cold at the thought of so treating a pregnant woman. His behaviour was either the most disgusting piece of sexual bravado in the English language, made up to impress a bawdy male friend, or conduct beyond human feeling and strangely out of character. And if his account is true, then Burns must bear some responsibility for the death of his twin daughters within a few weeks of their birth. "But is it true? All the other facts in the letter are accurate enough-the girl was , forlorn, destitute, friendless and in some trouble with her mother; he did rent a room for her and buy her a bed, and very probably he did give her a guinea. So it is reasonable to think that he did attempt intercourse . : . However it is possible that he exaggerated his vigour, for his pen always tended to run away with him in letters to lusty young friends. Nevertheless in this letter Robert Burns reached the lowest depth of behaviour in his whole life." Mr. Douglas is not alone in ~in~g "Tam o' Shanter" the greatest of the . poems and he has an interesting comment on the passage which begins But pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white-then melts for ever . . . · Observing that here the poet is alleged to switch from Scottish dialect to English Mr. Douglas says: "Clearly some critics have never heard my father or any other Ayrshire farmer recite the lines. Although the written form may appear to be English, the lines have a resounding Scottishness when sp_oken by a Scottish tongue." There is perhaps a parallel here with the ;English-seeming poetic prose of Lewis Grassie Gibbon, which, when spoken by Scottish actors on BBC TV takes on a _robust Mearns quality. Perhaps the most wonderfully moving thing in the story of Burns's life is his disinterested passion for Scottish folksong and Mr. Douglas does not fail us here. "Songs," he says, "were the one thing that sustained Burns in the difficult last years of his life; he was like a song-thrush which returns to his branch to sing no matter how bad the day may be." Of the· appalling mythology of Burns's supposed addiction to excessive drinking in his last years, Mr. Douglas has nothing but contempt to show. Acknowledging a debt to the late Mr. John Gray of Ayr and to the files of the 80 Burns Chronicle for making his research work much easier, Mr. Douglas concludes:. "There can be no heights without hollows, no greatness without lesser moments, and the truth about Burns lies somewhere between the Victorian's sore sinner and the idolator's demigod. Burns was a human being who, if ne lived his life over again would ordier it very differently-and the result would be very much the same!"

POETRY OF NORTHEAST SCOTLAND, edited by JAMES ALISON, for Grampian Regional Council . (Heinemann Ed'1;1cational Books, Hardbac~ £5, Paperback £1 ·50) Once such a thing was attempted, one knew it could not fail. The North-east neuk of Scotland, meaning the swathe of country from the North Esk to the Findhorn, has always been a stronghold of vernacular speech and it was, after all, the Fatherland of Burns. So in boldly guaranteeing financial support for a compre­ hensive anthology of North-east poetry extending over six centuries, for use in schools, but also on sale to the public, Grampian Regional Council were not really taking a serious .risk. Nevertheless the Regional Council, who inherited the project from the old County Council of Aberdeen, deserve great credit for setting a precedent which might · well be followed by the other regions of Scotland. They underestimated the demand and after setting aside 2000 copies for use in secondary schools they found that the impression on public sale was sold out in a few weeks and had to be rapidly reprinted. . Poetry of Northeast Scotland runs to 178 pages, carries the work of 55 poets ranging from John Barbour (1320-1395) to Robin Munro (1946-), 13 traditional ballads, 13 folk songs, six bothy ballads and 52 popular rhymes and jingles. The collection of the basic material was the work of six Aberdeen teachers of English, a lecturer at Aberdeen University and a lecturer at Aberdeen College of Education. Once this had been amassed it was the duty of the editor, James N. Alison (now one of H.M. Inspectors of Schools) to select the poems actually printed-and this meant reducing the basic collection by two-thirds. ' • The object of the exercise was to offer "secondary pupils in the North-east of Scotland easier access to the varied riches of the poetry which is their birthright". The compilers had an eye-opener when they got down to the job. "Shal)lefacedly we adroit," they write, "that as teachers of English our researches have been a process of self-~ducation. We simply did not realise ... how much good stuff there was." Certainly this anthology must be a very great encouragement to Scottish language enthusiasts. Dialect verse predominates, despite the fact that, as the compilers put it, "the ScotS-tongue is presently, and possibly irreversibly, in retreat, even in an area so distinctive linguistically as the North-east ... Sadly, the very language of some of our items may prove a barrier for pupils. But we do not believe that this need be so ... Scots is a vital ingredient in the cultural inheritance of the North-east." · The encouraging thing about this is that teachers now realise that a part of the blame for the "retreat" of Scots must rest squarely on the shoulders of the educational establishment itself. Time was when Scots was banished to the playground-partly because parents did not understand that Scots could be taught alongside the English of Oxford-atte-Bowe without detriment to either. But the 81

'' immense popularity of the rich local dialect among the adults of the North-east, particularly thpse with a country background, will be an important factor in the vernacular revival that is now under way, with, at last, the blessing of the Scottish Education Department. And it will be greatly aided by the admission to school anthologies like this of simple popular rhymes and folk poetry, as well as the great set pieces of the vernacular tradition. Children are leai:ning what intense pleasure there is in the simplest dialect jingles with their onomatopoeic magic, like John C. Milne's- "Caw! Caw! Caw!" Said an au!' dane craw, As he dichtit his nib on a docken, "I'm wearin awa', But I carena a straw, For I've tastet the tatties o' Buchan!' Once launched on the tide of dialect poetry by jingles like this, Scots children, particularly country children, for whom the living voice of the old Doric is only a hairsbreadth away, can climb the ladder into the world that is their natural birth- right. . In this book they will find. it all. There is "Thrummy Cap" by John Burness of Bogjorgan, Burns's second cousin, a ghost story that is still capable of enjoyable revival; John Skinner's boisterous "Christin.as Ba-ing;" David Grant's vivid nar­ rative of the Muckle Spate; Violet Jacob's magnificent offtaking satire on "Pride"; traditional ballads like "The Bonnie Lass o' Fyvie"; bothy ballads like "Drum­ delgie"; and eventually the subtler finer poetry of our own day like Helen Cruickshank's "Ponnage Pool"; Charles Murray's masterpiece "Dockens Afore His Peers"; and Flora Garry's moving picture of "Suffie, the Last of the Buchan Fishwives". · • · The teachers who compiled this book, some of them incomers to the North-east, have discovered to their astonishment that it is the vernacular verse they feared would be "too densely Scots" which has stolen the show.

MY SHETLAND, by ANNIE DEYELL (Thuleprint, Compass House, Sandwick, Shetland, £1 ·50) A little book of charm and character which deserves more than a local audience is Annie Deyell's "My Shetland". Mrs. Deyell was born in Dunrossness in 1898 and she gives a fresh and moving picture of her island childhood. She also looks at what is happening in Shetland today. "In some respects," she admits, "there has been an improvement in our way oflife. We are much better off in a material sense, and the gruesome anxieties which must have haunted many of our ancestors no longer exist. Although few, if any, are rich, everyone seems to have enough. We have full employment and as yet no real crime. . "It is only now, when we are about to lose it, that we fully realise that we have . been living in a paradise. We know that oil is badly needed, but at the back of our minds is the dreadful fear that with the oil boom, not only will our fishing industry, our beautiful scenery and our fascinating sea birds suffer, but that Shetland will no longer be (as our late beloved doctor used to call it) the only civilised place left." Perhaps in this her forebodings are excessive. But it must be hard for one nur­ tured in a very self-sufficient way of life to adjust to the painfully abrupt change 82 which rapid industrialisation is now bringing to Shetland. What this self­ sufficiency meant is clear from Annie's memories. " 'Lass tak dy sock,' which being interpreted means 'girl, take your knitting' was," she tells us, "the theme song for the young female in my childhood ... Apart from the fact that it was the traditional thing for women to knit, it was undoubtedly an economic necessity. A little girl was hardly out of the cradle when wires (knitting needles) were thrust into her hands and from then on she knitted and knitted: garters, cradle strings, hap lace, hap, spencers, socks, gloves, mittens, helmets, men's froaks (jerseys), body belts, bed jackets, cravats, scarves, fine shawls, matinee coats, little girls' dresses, little boys' suits, camisoles, combinations, men's pullovers, cardigans and jumpers by the dozen, plain, open work and Fair Isle. At one time or another I have knitted all of them ... A little girl would come home from school on a winter's afternoon, have something to eat, and then would hear the ominous words, 'Lass, tak dy sock'. Girls were expected to knit enough dur- ing the winter months to provide their own clothing." , But in spite of all this drudgery, Mrs. Deyell's account of her youth is suffused with happiness. As a teenage girl and a pupil teacher she was sent to the island of South Havera (now long since totally evacuated) to be the sole island teacher. Life was hard and ill-rewarded but she writes of it now as "the beloved peerie isle" whose kindly folk "are indelibly etched in my ;memory and on my heart".

/

THE GUID NEIBOR

As I gaed doon tae fling tattie-peelins I wadna file the body's hoose, Intae the burn ae day, Tho nae hoose cud I see, · A wee bit leddy stairtit up Sae eftir-haun my tattie-peelins An she was cled aa in gray. I yirdit cannily. There's no a hoose for mony a mile The wee grey leddy brawly kent On the hin side o' the brae. An aince she thankit me. For there's nocht here but gleds an whaups- "That's better noo wi' your tattie­ Tho ither folk hae been- peelins, An the strands o' watter rinnin

by Robert Kirk (Secretary of Dundonald Burns Club)

THE story begins with the arrival of William Burnes at Fairlie Estate, in the Parish of Dundonald. There he served a two-year contract before moving on to Alloway. While at Fair!ie he would probably meet and work with John Allan, an estate worker who had in his family a son named Alexander Allan, founder of the Allan Line James, later to become related through of ships. He w as a cousin of Robert Burns. marriage to William Burnes. In 1775 the following entry appeared in the Dundonald Register of Baptism According to a letter written in 1886 and Marriage; "James Allan in Old by Andrew Jack, a nephew of Alex­ Rome and Jean Brown in Irvine after ander Allan, the family up to the death having their purposes of marriage three of James Allan in 1790, lived in a cot­ several Sabbaths Proclaimed in this tage on Fairlie Estate. Following his Congregation were married at Old death the famjly moved to a house in Rome on the 2lst April 1775 years by Old Rome village. When told recently Mr. Walker". of the information contained in the Jean Brown was a half-sister of Agnes letter a descendant wrote; "You have Brown, mother of Robert Burns. The told n~ e something new as I always Allans had four sons and three daugh­ understood that the Allans lived in a ters, James, Andrew, Alexander and two-storey house by the bridge over the John, Jean, Jane Francis and Fairlie river at the right hand side facing Cunningham. Alexander, the third son Gatehead and Kilmarnock. This house in the family after serving his time as a was demolished some years ago but shoemaker, took up a sea-going career was there when I was young." and became the founder of the Allan Another interesting story in Andrew Line of shipping, at one time the Jack's letter is of the time when Col. largest private shipping company in the Fullarton, the owner of Fairlie Estate world. By a strange coincidence, in his before going abroad, called his servants early days as a ship's master he took before him and gave them their instruc­ command of the Bell, formerly the tions and duties during his absence. Nancy, the ship that was to have taken When he came to James Allan he said; his cousin, Robert Burns, to the West "As for you James Allan, I never found Indies. you idle and you must do just as you 84 like". The Allan family, understand­ Col. Fullarton is an intriguing one. ably, felt that Burns had James Allan in On the one hand we have Burns mind when he wrote "An honest man's visiting his uncle and aunt who were the noblest work of God". estate employees, while on the other he The Allan home appears to have been seemed to be on terms of more than a welcome refuge to Burns on several nodding acquaintance with the dis­ occasions, perhaps the most important tinguished soldier. In a General View of being the night of July 30th 1786, when, the Agriculture in the County of Ayr, as a fugitive from the wrath of James Col. Fullarton acknowledges indebted­ Armour, he wrote to his friend John ness to "Mr. Robert Burns, whose Richmond, "My hour is now come­ general talents are no less conspicuous you and I will never meet in Britain than the poetic powers which have done more ... " In the same month his trunk so much honour to the country of his packed for his intended emigration to birth". Burns for his part describes the the West Indies was brought to the Colonel as "Fullarton, the brave and Allans and here he corrected the proofs young" in "The Vision". of his poems as they passed through the Other characters worthy of mention press for his Kilmarnock Edition. include Dr. Robert Duncan, minister The relationship between Burns and of Dundonald from 1783-1815,

Fairlie House, known locally as "Fairlie Five Lums". Designed by Robert Adam, the house was built in 1776. Photo by courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. H. Currie, Fairlie House.

85 described by Burns in "The Twa Herds" with a family of seven to bring up. They as "Duncan Deep". J. Kelso Hunter were all given an education at the local in his Life Studies of Character states village school, the boys apprenticed to that Burns contrasted Duncan with suitable trades and the girls given in Peebles on the light and shade prin­ marriage when they reached adult life. ciple..:..._Duncan Deep and Peebles Shal­ Jean then remarried, her second hus-. low. band being Adam Baird. To Dr. Duncan fell the duty within Jean died in March, 1821, and her the short space of three weeks, of bap­ husband on returning from her funeral tising Fairlie Cunningham and burying at Dundonald Churchyard took to bed her father, James Allan and her grand­ and died within eight days of his wife. father John Allan. It is known that the They had lived most happily together Allans are buried in Dundonald Church­ and it was said that Adam Baird had yard but ·their graves are unmarked. died of a broken heart. Dr: Duncan's gravestone is still stand­ When James Allan died he had ing and in the near future the Dun­ left his widow the sum of Twenty donald Burns Club intend to have it Pounds sterling-a comparatively large cleaned and restored. sum to be accumulated by a working The Rev. Thomas Walker, who per­ man in those days. It is worth noting formed the marriage of the Allans, had that when Jean died in 1821 she left a son, Josiah, born in 1761, author of a exactly the same amount. · The money Life of Robert Burns and Professor of which she had preserved intact during Humanity at Glasgow University. In her years of bringing up a young family another of Kelso Hunter's books, was · divided among her sons and Retrospect of an Artist's Life, he daughters, except for Alexander who describes an incident that happened a declined to accept, as by now he was on few days before the death of Mr. his way to becoming prosperous. · Walker in 1780. The story is that on the road from Loans to Dundonald the old minister met and danced his way THE DRAIGON home with the devil. Reaching his own It's no the same, the draigon door he shouted out "Weel whistled That nightly uist tae flee Billy," only to go to bed exhausted, Ower the rails stravaigin' never to rise again. . Whatever the Wi fire in its ee. foundation of the tale local legend per­ Wi a fire in its ee sisted for many years that Burns had Reek poorin frae its mou' heard the story and used it in "Tam O' 'N' a trail o' burnin cinders Shanter". Spurtin, skailin ower its broo. Richard Brown, the sailor friend of· Burns from Irvine, came to Dundonald It's no th_e same the draigon Parish for his bride and married Eleanora It's a cobra, slippin slee Blair of Girtrig Mill, on the 30th of Ower the rails stravaigin May 1785, at Broomhill Farm on the Wi a glare in its ee, outskirts of Dundonald village. 'N' its body a' alicht, · To conclude, there is a rather touch­ Wi its silly trumpet tootin ing story that illustrates the character It gaes twistin through the nicht. of the Brown family and of Jean who could always find shelter for her nephew, No, it's no the same, the draigon. Robert Burns. After 14 years of mar- SANDY THOMAS ROSS . riage, James Allan died, leaving Jean (From "Bairnsangs") 86 RECORD REVIEW MACDIARMID AND BURNS by Robert Peel

THE bringing together of the names particularity they contain". Burns of Hugh MacDiarmid and Robert sacrificed whatever chance he had of Burns on one record seems the most becoming a great poet by devoting his natural thing to do. After all doesn't energies to song-writing, for "that the present Scottish Renaissance owe wasn't his proper business at all, and its very being to MacDiarmid? And I deplore that he spent so much time isn't he the most famous name in pre­ on it". In short, in Burns, "the gems sent day vernacular writing? are few and the greater part of his work It may be fairly straightforward to rubbish" .1 decide where to place Burns in the However there are no such views on hierarchy of Scottish writers, but it is this record. It consists of MacDiarmid certainly no easy task to do so with reading from his own and Burns's MacDiarmid. Some may have doubts works. The Burns material consists as to whether he is a poet of major mainly of the better known songs, and stature, others are sure he is the greatest surely Cedric Thorpe Davie has now poet Scotland has ever produced­ said the final word on separating the Burns included. ' songs from their music. Although MacDiarmid writes in "The songs are the result of the English, it is as a dialect poet that he is fusion of two elements from different best known. Yet somehow MacDiarmid arts. In the best examples this fusion suffers, rather than benefits, from his is complete, and the elements are use of "synthetic" Scots. I use the word inseparable without vital injury to synthetic for his language is by no means one or both. But for the tunes, the a spoken one; not spoken by himself words would never have come into or by his too few readers. ,Dylan Thom­ existence, and it is absurd to regard as may personify Wales; Yeats, Synge, the latter as poetry to be read or O'Casey or Behan, according to taste, spoken aloud.~'2 may capture the atmosphere of Ireland, The MacDiarmid pieces will no doubt but MacDiarmid is not the voice of be new to most listeners-few of them Scotland. He may be listened to with are in the "Penguin": Selected Poems. respect (or indifference or embarrass­ 1970, which presumably is the most ment), but the people have never taken readily available edition. . There have his poetry to heart. certairily been better Bums records, but But what of MacDiarmid on Burns? to have MacDiarmid selecting and Leaving aside his view that the best reading his own work is a rare event. thing the Burns Federation could do is The material recorded is as follows: to forget all about Burns, we are still Side 1. 1-There Was A Lad. 2-Edin­ left with a man who never does anything burgh. 3-Mary Morison. 4- by halves. He had no doubt but that the In The Fall. 5-Scotland love songs ofBurns "might all have been Small? 6-Poetry And Science. written to the same lay-figure for any 7-Corn-rigs. · 8-A Golden ' 87 Wine [n The Gaidhealtachd. ("The Legend and the Man" Nevis LP 9-Wha Is That At My Bower 107. (Price a-bout £1· 60)) Door? 10---The Glass Of Pure Water. 11 - Auld Lang Syne. NOTES Side 2. I- Old Wife In High Spirits. I Burns Today a nd Tomorrow Hugh MacDiar­ 2- Crystals Like Blood. 3- mid. Cast le Wynd . 1959. p. 56. Address Tae A Haggis. 4- M acDiarmid on MacDiarmid 1962, reprinted in "The Uncanny Scott" . MacGibbon and Direadh III. 5- The Lea-rig. Kee, 1968. p. 170. 6- 0h Merry Hae I Been. 7- 2 Critical Essays on R obert Burns Ed. Donald The Parrot Cry. 8- Scots Wha A. Low. Routledge and Kegan Paul. 1975. Hae. p. 157.

A FIRST PRIZE FOR BURNS!

88 THE TANNOCK BROTHERS REMEMBERED

BY ENEZ LOGAN

(The author is Past Secretary, Howff A special service, conducted by the Burns Club, Kilmarnock) minister, the Rev. Alexander Mac­ While writing a history of the Old High Donald, was held in the Old High Kirk. Kirk, Kilmarnock, and compiling a After this we gathered round the grave­ detailed account of the graveyard, I side and I gave a short talk on the found that the Tannock brothers, Tannocks. We had a good attendance William and James, are buried there in from the local Burns Clubs and the an unmarked grave. The brothers were congregation. painters of note and James's work has At the Tannocks' House, in Grange strong Burns associations. Street, now used as a lunch club for I put the facts before the Howff Com­ senior citizens, the Club offered tea and mittee and it was agreed to erect a sandwiches to all who had attended the plaque at their joint grave. Money was service. We then had a most interesting raised by a bring and buy sale and a talk from Mr. Thomas Campbell on raffle. Grange Street from the early 1900's to

Mrs. Enez Logan, Rev. A. MacDonald and Mr. Samuel Hannah, Past President Howff Club. """-~

89 the present day. under Nasmyth. He was given access I think that all who were present felt to this painter's pencil sketches and was the occasion had been well worth while, permitted to copy the original Naysmith focussing.attention as it did on a church portrait of Burns. Next to the original that has many connections with Burns­ this was acknowledged by the Burns the church of the Rev. James Oliphant, family as the best likeness of the poet. the Rev. John Russell ("Black Russell" James was presented with the Free­ of The Holy Fair), and John Wilson, dom of Kilmarnock in 1818. His printer, without whom there would other paintings included: Burns hold­ have been no Kilmarnock Edition. ing the Kilmarnock Edition, Henry Bell When so much of the town's history is (of the Comet); Sir James Shaw, Lord , being destroyed the plaque does some-. Mayor of London; and Mrs. Grant of thing to mark the Auld Killie of Robert Laggan. Burns. William Tannock also had talent as Note on the Tannocks. They, were an artist and in" 1818 established a born in Grange Street, James in 1784 picture gallery in his house. and William in 1794. James studied James died in 1862, William in 1879.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Improving the 1 Chronicle'

P.O. Box 6257, Finally, a matter that has been on my Wellesley Street, mind for some time. I recall reading in Auckland, New Zealand. the Chronicle some years ago, a refer­ Dear Sir-I think you are to be con­ ence to the fact that the memorial gratulated on the "new" Chronicle. The erected by Burns in the Canongate journal is now much more readable. Kirkyard to the poet, Robert Fergus­ May I submit a few suggestions for con­ son, has the date of Fergusson's birth sideration. wrong. The fact that Burns had this To begin with, is Chronicle really the memorial erected was a magnificent tri­ most suitable name for our publication. bute to the generous nature of Burns. I think it is rather dry. How about "The Could the error be rectified either by Burns Annual Review" or simply "The adding an explanatory plaque or­ Burnsian"? preferably, in my opinion-having the I would like to see a more detailed original corrected? summary of the minutes of the Annual J. Shearer. Conference and a more comprehensive "Contents" in the Chronicle itself. Editor's Note- How about a "Poets' Corner" as a Mr. Shearer is of course quite correct regular feature in future? The Chronicle in his reference to the error in the uses the English language almost ex­ Fergusson . inscription.' Fergusson's clusively. I think an increased use of dates were 1750-74. The memorial Scots should be considered. gives the birth date as 1751. 90 ' ' THE HGENTLE POET" OF LOCH LEVEN The poems and brief life of Michael Bruce prompt some comparisons with Burns. by John A. M. Muir poR every Scotsman, or woman, who him seceded to the Secession Church. would claim acquaintance with the Mair was an extraordinary character. life and works of Michael Bruce there Having seceded he later ,became an must be hundreds who would say they "Anti-Burgher" and was finally de­ knew "quite a bit" about Robert Burns. posed for heresy! But Saunders Bruce No two poets, in fact, no two men, did not grudge the five miles walk to could have been less alike. The uni­ hear this "misunderstood and holy" versal fame of Burns contrasts strongly man, or the time he spent in teaching with the comparative obscurity of the three "Rs" to, not only his own Michael Bruce, but one cannot help children, but several village children as wondering, had longer life been granted well. In fact Michael's father was a to the minor poet, would he have man of unusual abillty. rivalled the fame of his great country­ The poet's mother, Anne Bruce, was man? a cheerful, capable, and warm-hearted Their livt

Photo, courtesy Scots Magazine Michael Bruce was born in Kinnesswood, close to Loch Leven. His birthplace was the house on left, in middle distance, with two windows in the gable.

92 prospects was the doubt about Michael's so the young poet became a school­ health. · master at Gairney Bridge, a tiny hamlet Nevertheless, at the age of sixteen, ~n near Kinross, within a mile of the reasonable health, and with high hopes, · southern shores of his beloved Loch Michael set off to walk to Kinghorn. Leven. Although this occupation was From there he caught the boat to Leith not congenial to Bruce (he was too and then walked to the West Port of gentle to be a good schoolmaster) he Edinburgh. In those days a walk of was not too unhappy. As part of his some twenty miles was not considered pay he was given board and lodging at remarkable. the neighbouring farmhouse of Class­ Michael Bruce was a member of the lochie where he had "a comfortable University for three years. Not a great room, his evening fire, his table and deal is known of his life there but we candle". can assume they were happy years. Nevertheless his real aim was the · Certainly he made many friends and church, and so, in the autumn of that was highly thought of by his professors, year, Bruce became a student at the including Adam Ferguson and Hugh Secession Church "Theological Hall" Blair. ' in Kinross. This period was one of his It was in Edinburgh that Bruce happiest. The scholastic atmosphere revealed his poetic gifts when, as a was congenial and he lived with good member of a students' literary society, friends, the Hendersons of Turfhills. he submitted his epic poem "The Last But sadly, within ·a few months the Day". This long poem was not too well college had closed and once more he received, partly on theological grounds. had to seek a means of earning a living. In the Miltonic style, it was a bold and Again he obtained employment as a ambitious attempt which did not quite teacher, this time at Forest Mill. But succeed. Bruce attended classes in now everything went sour. On his way Latin, Greek, Metaphysics, Mathe­ to Forest Mill (situated on the Black matics, Moral and Natural Philosophy, Devon a few miles south of Dollar) he and Belles Lettres. There is no doubt was thrown from his horse when fording he left Edinburgh a well-educated the river. The soaking and the resulting young man with a wide knowledge of chill started a deterioration in his health literature both classical and modern. which was never really arrested. He was One cannot resist the speculation: if never well or happy at Forest Mill., The Burns had had the same education as building was damp and unhealthy, the Michael Bruce, would he too have for­ countryside bleak, "unfertile wilds," he saken the vernacular and thus robbed called it. As to his occupation, in a literature of many of its finest works letter he referred to "teaching a dozen , including "Tam O' Shanter"? Would. btockheads for bread". It was at Forest the rich untrammelled genius of Burns Mill that the ailing poet wrote the long have been confined? The converse is poem "Lochleven" in which he clearly also intriguing. If Bruce had not gone and pathetically shows his fears that to University and studied Belles Lettres ill health would cut short his life. would he have written in the Scots When he left Forest Mill in Febru­ tongue which he heard all about him ary, 1767, it was with a faint but real and would he have given us lyrics to hope that back on the well-loved slopes rival those of Burns? of Bishop Hill, and in the bosom of his To the student who returned from family, he might regain some of his lost Edinburgh in the spring_ of 1765, the health. And so he walked all the way, first priority was earning a living. And at least sixteen miles. Even being able 93 Photo, courtesy Scots Magazine By walking a few hundred yards from his home Bruce could see the whole of Loch Leven spread out before him-inspiring surroundings for a youth of poetic sensibility.

to do this must have given the poor lad student from Edinburgh called and said some ground for hope. that he had been a friend of Michael's Alas! These hopes were unfounded; at University, he was naturally pleased he was already too far gone with con­ to see him. And when the young man sumption. Lingering on for a few more claimed a knowledge of publishing and brief months, his mind turned ever said he would be happy to undertake more to thoughts of the next world. to publish the poems, it was not sur­ Buoyed up by his intense religious con­ prising that the unworldly Saunders victions, he slept away on the Sth July, Bruce should have agreed. And so the 1767, his Bible on his pillow. Poem Book and most of Michael's That, very briefly, summarises the other papers were handed over to John twenty-one years of the poet's life. Logan. What followed has been described by More than a year passed and there the Rev. Edward Vernon as "The was no news of Logan or publication. Sinister Sequel". The worried father made several efforts There is no doubt that Michael to contact Logan but without success. wished his poems to be published. Eventually after almost three years the Before he died he collected all his now famous volume appeared "Poems wntmgs, including his "Gospel on Several Occasions by Michael Sonnets'', into a manuscript "Poem Bruce". The first reaction of his father Book". Thi> he gave to his father. But and friends was to ask "Where are all that worthy man knew little about the the other poems?" In particular they business of publication so, when in the had expected to see the "Gospel autumn of that year a young divinity Sonnets", the paraphrases and hymns 94 which had been a labour of love for the original yersion was by Dr. Doddridge, young poet. then revised by Bruce and possibly by The omisson of much of Bruce's Logan. It is now generally· held that work was bad enough, but there was Michael Bruce wrote or largely revised worse. ' In his preface 1ogan stated eleven of the paraphrases in present "To make up a miscellany, some poems use. As long as they are sung they will wrote (sic) by different authors are be a fitting memorial, and the Michael inserted, all of them original ...," but Bruce Memorial Trust has every inten­ he gave no indication which poems were tion of ensuring that they will be sung by Michael Bruce. for many years to come. Whatever may have been Logan's Founded in 1903 by the· friends of motives, he could scarcely have devised . Michael Bruce, led by Mr. George a process more likely to cause confusion Henderson of Turfhills, whose family and controversy. This offence he corn- had been very kind to Bruce in his pounded by publishing in 1781 an edi- student days, the Trust seeks to per­ tion of his own poems which included petuate the memory of the poet, and to what is now acknowledged to be ensure that he is recognised as the true Michael Bruce's poem "Ode to the author of the disputed poems. Memorial Cuckoo". services are held annually in Portmoak This is neither the time nor place to Church at which the paraphrases of go into the whole Logan controversy. Bruce are sung. Here the author wishes Readers who wish to know more about to make grateful acknowledgement of it cannot do better than to read the the help given by the present Chairman Rev. T. G. Snoddy's book "Michael of the Trust, Mr. John Page. Bruce, Shepherd-poet of the Lomond Michael Bruce's home, the cottage in Braes" in which the whole matter is which he was born and died, is main­ ably and exhaustively discussed. The tained by the Trust. Earlier, in 1868, it evidence, including that in the Court of had been purchased by two of Bruce's Session litigation, is clearly in favour of admirers, Robert Burns Begg, a des­ Bruce. Logan was an enigmatic figure. cendant of Robert Burns, and David A man of some ability he was ordained Ma,rshall, and they maintained it till minister of South Leith at an early age, they died. It is now a literary shrine and and was a member of the General museum and to the reader from the Assembly's committee for the revision west of Scotland who has never been to of the Psalter. Later there was trouble "Bishopshire" as this part of Kinross­ and he resigned his charge and went to shire is known, I would suggest it, and London to earn his living as a journalist. the district, are well worth a visit. One ironic effect of his actions was to · What kind of man was Michael make Michael Bruce much better · Bruce? In appearance. it is said he was known. ·tall, slender, and pale, with fair, slightly Mention of the General Assembly curly hair, an9. "large lustrous eyes". committee raises the question of the. Words which recur in descriptions of Paraphrases. The manuscripts of the young poet are thoughtful, gentle, Bruce's "Gospel Sonnets" were taken unassuming, likeable and pious. Was he by Logan and along with practically then a creature "too bright or good for all the others either lost or destroyed. human nature's daily food"? Here again the question of authorship is I don't think so. For a staunch sup­ very involved. By their very nature Para- porter of the Secession Church he was 'phrases are derivative. Take "O God surprisingly broad-minded especially in of Bethel!", Paraphrase No. 2. The literary matters. Nor did he object to ' 95 the ordinary man having a smoke or praised it has been, but nevertheless a dram. In a letter describing a funeral in very fine lyric. The simple, unpreten­ Portmoak he wrote· of one · of the tious style seems to me to be a true mourners: "I was struck with the reflection of the man. The "Ode" used speech of this honest man, especially to figure more widely in anthologies with his heroic application of the glass than it does today so I feel justified in dispelling gloomy thoughts of death". · in quoting it in full: Not was he immune to the charms of the fair sex: Hail, beauteous Stranger of the wood! Attendant on the Spring! Now heav'n repairs thy rural seat "Fair to the shepherd the new-springing , And woods thy welcome sing. flowers, . When May and the morning lead on the Soon as the daisy decks the green, gay hours: Thy certain voice we hear: But Peggy is brighter and fairer than they; Hast thou a star to guide thy path, She's fair as the morning, and lovely as Or mark the rolling year? May ... Delightful visitant! with thee 0 grant me, 0 grant me, the heav'n of her I hail the time of flow'rs, charms! When heav'n is fill'd with music sweet May I live in her presence, and die in her Of birds among ,the bow'rs. arms!" · The schoolboy wand'ring in the wood 1 To pull the flow'rs so gay, Surely these lines were penned by a Starts, thy curious voice to hear, warm-hearted, warm-blooded man. And imitates thy lay. Bruce was a very likeable human Soon as the pea puts on the bloom being, quiet and unassuming, yet with Thou fly'st thy local vale, undoubted strength of character. An annual guest, in other lands, This pious but human young man had. Another spring to hail. to face up to the knowledge that his Sweet bird! thy bow'r is ever green, dearest hopes and aspirations would Thy sky is ever clear; never be realised, that the full scope of Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, , his talents, or his dreams of love ·and No winter in thy year! marriage, would never be fulfilled. In Alas!' sweet bird! not so my fate, those circumstances the ' thought of Dark scowling skies I see death must have been bitter indeed, yet Fast gathering round, and fraught with his religious faith never wavered and woe before the end his mind was firmly And wintry years to me. fixed on f·he life to come. 0 could I fly, I'd fly with thee: What kind of poet was he? To me it We'd make, with social wing, seems that he was still experin:enting Our annual visit o'er the globe, when his health failed, that he had still Companions of the Spring. to find his true poetic self. Much of his work was derivative and some might be · That strikes a true authentic note. termed "literary exercises". To the Good poetry must be written from the poetry-lover it is fascinating to follow heart as· well as the head. Another his experiments in different metres and poem by Bruce which has the same styles-epics, lyrics, and ballads among note of truth and sincerity is his "Elegy them. Everything he did showed talent. · Written in Spring". How would he have developed? Two "Dim in my breast life's dying taper burns, poems provide a clue. One is the "Ode And all the joys of life with health are to the Cuckoo". Extravagantly ovcr- flown." ' · · 96 Written by a dying man, the "Elegy" Among the nations he shall judge; was his last poem and possibly his best. His judgments truth shall guide; Poetic merit must always be a matter His sceptre shal l protect the just, of opinion, but there can be little doubt And quel I the sinner's pride. that Michael Bruce, had he lived to No strife shall rage, nor hostile feud fulfil his promise, would have been Disturb those peaceful years; ranked a major poet. To ploughshares men shall beat their swords, To pruning-hooks their spears. EDITOR'S NOTE No longer hosts encount'ring hosts Probably few readers of Mr. Muir's Sha II crowds of slain deplore: article have not sung some of Bruce's They hang the trumpet in the hall Paraphrases at one time or another. And study war no more. This is his rendering of Isaiah II, 2-6. Come then, 0 house of Jacob! come To worship at his shrine; Behold the mountain of the Lord And, wa lking in the light of God, In latter days shall rise With holy beauties shine. On mountain tops above the hills, And draw the wondering eyes. According to a note in the Bi-Centen­ ary Edition of the works of Michael To this the joyful nations round, Bruce, it was for long supposed that All tribes and tongues shall flow; some of the Paraphrases were the work Up to the hill of God, they'll say, of Burns, the reason for the attribution And to his house we' ll go. being the characteristically bold writing The beam that shines from Sion hill of the manuscripts. In fact, however, Shall li ghten every land; the writing was that of John Logan, The King who reigns in Salem's tow'rs whose caligraphy much resembled that Shall all the world corrmrnnd. of Burns.

AIRDRIE CLUB'S DINNER

At Airdrie Burns Club's Dinner. in Cairnhill House Hotel. Left to right: W. 0. Rollo {Treasurer); Percy Quinn; A. H. S. Marshall; Sam Barnard, DFC (Proposer of Immortal Memory) ; Police Chief Inspector Jas. D. McCulloch; Wm. Gill (President); Mattew P. Kidd (Secretary); Ian Reid ; Sheriff Arch. Bell (Hon President) ; James K. Scobbie, QBE. 97 MOTTO-'A MAN'S A MAN FOR A' THAT' THE BURNS FEDERATION INSTITUTED 1885

Hon. Presidents ALEX. MACMILLAN, J.P., M.A., M.ED., 13 Kilwinning Road, Irvine A. NEIL CAMPBELL, F.C.I.s., 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh EHlO 5PP FRED. J. BELFORD, M.A., F.E.I.s., 3 Park Grove, Liberton, Edinburgh, EH16 6JE Mrs. S. G. BAILLIE, 38 Gordon Street, Balwyn, E.8, Victoria, Australia ALEX. JOHNSTONE, J.P., CH.ENG., F.I.PROD.E., 41 Benwerrin Ave., Carss Park, Blakehurst, N.S.W. WILLIAM J. OLIVER, 2 Bellevue Street, Dunedin, New Zealand A. Y. CRAWFORD, 164 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh Mrs. M. COULSON, 10 Queensberry Court, Dumfries J. NORVAL MURRAY, Commercial Bank Buildings, Bank Street, Irvine G. W. BURNETT, 40 Brecks Lane, Rotherham ALEXANDER C. CooK, 4 School Terrace, Coalsnaughton, Tillicoultry Mrs. JANE BURGOYNE, M.A., c/o McLeod, Cairnston, Drongan, Ayrshire Mrs. V. W. BROOM, 12 Whitecotes Lane, Chesterfield S40 3HL J. D. MCBAIN, 33 Humbledon Park, Sunderland DOUGLAS SMALL, 36 Abernethy Road, Barnhill, Dundee DA vm MILLER, 64 Rosefield Road, Dumfries BRUCE McGuFF, 16 Wood Row, Tranent, Midlothian JOHN W. BEGG, LL.B., 16 Dobroyd Parade, Haberfield, N.S.W.2045, Australia

Officials President-R. A. B. McLAREN, 11 South Lauder Road, Edinburgh EH9 2NB Senior Vice-President-ABE· TRAIN, 71 Woodside Crescent, Newmains, Lanark­ shire Junior Vice-President-ALBERT .. W. ·FINLAYSON, East Gallaberry, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries DGl lSY Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer-J. F. T. THOMSON, M.B.E., M.A., F.L.A., Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock KAl 3BU Schools Competitions-ALBERT W. FINLAYSON, M.A., F.E.I.s., East Gallaberry, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries DGl lSY JAMES GLAss, M.A., 1 Doonholm Road, Alloway, Ayr KA7 4QA Hon. Legal Adviser-SCOTT I. GALT, LL.B., Messrs. McLeish Thomson & Co., Solicitors, 8 Buchanan Street, Glasgow Gl 3LL Publicity Officer-GEORGE ANDERSON, 49 Upper Bourtree Drive, Burnside, Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 4EJ (Tel. 041-634 3618) , 98 Past-Presidents JAMES E. INGLIS, 'Glentress,' 13 Halloughton Road, Southwell, Notts NG25 OLP Provost E. ROBERTSON, 11 Rosemount Street, Dumfries THOMAS ANDERSON, 36 Linfern Avenue East, Kilmarnock KAl 3LL CHARLES C. EASTON, F.S.A., 55 Rosehill Drive, Aberdeen MATTHEW McLAUCHLAN, Glebe House, Knottingley, Yorks. Mrs. JANE BURGOYNE, M.A., c/o C. J. McLeod, Cairnston, Drongan, Ayrshire DANIEL J. MclLDOWIE, J.P., 'Invermay,' Doune Road, Dunblane, Perthshire ROBERT DONALDSON, 36 Deanwood Avenue, Muirend, Glasgow G44 Dr. JOHN I. TAYLOR, M.B., CH.B., 70 Borehill Lane, Crookes, Sheffield SlO lSB GEORGE VALLANCE, 5 Park Terrace, Lugar, Cumnock KA18 3LD Dr. J. S. MoNTGOMERIE, M.B., CH.B., D.T.M.&H., F.s.A., 'The Mount,' High Barnes, Sunderland, Co. Durham W. J. KING-GILLIES, 'The Lomonds,' Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty, Fife H. GEORGE McKERRow, J.P., 52 Buccleuch Street, Dumfries DGl 2AH FRED. J. BELFORD, M.A., F.E.I.S., 3 Park Grove, Edinburgh EH16 6JE A. NEIL CAMPBELL, F.C.I.s., 141 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh EHlO 5PP ALEX. MACMILLAN, J.P., M.A., M.ED., 13 Kilwinning. Road, Irvine KA12 8RR District Representatives I. Ayrshire: DAVID DUNLOP, The Ross Hotel, John Finnie Street, Kil- marnock KAl lDD J. GLASS, M.A., 1 Doonholm Road, Alloway, Ayr KA7 4QA SAMUEL K. GAW, 66 Bank Street, Irvine KA12 OLP ALAN STODDART, 35 Morton Avenue, Ayr II. Edinburgh: T. D. MclLWRAITH, 8 Silverknowes Bank, Edinburgh EH45PD II. Glasgow: R. DICKSON JOHNSTON, 48 East Clyde Street, Helens burgh, Dunbartonshire GEORGE ANDERSON, 49c Upper Bourtree Drive, Burnside, Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 4EJ · IV. Dunbartonshire and Argyll: J. L. HEMPSTEAD, 31 Dumbuck Cres .• Dumbarton V. Fife: VI. Lanarkshire: T. N. PATERSON, 90 Branchelfield Drive, Wishaw R. B. CLELAND, 16 McClure Court, Motherwell VII. Mid and East Lothians and Borders: A. Y. CRAWFORD, 164 New­ haven Road, Edinburgh VIII. West Lothian: IX. Renfrewshire: ROBERT MILLER, F.S:A.SCOT., 11 Murdieston Street, Greenock PA15 4DT X. Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perth Shires: Mrs. W. G. STEWART, 17 Park Terrace, Tullibody, Clackman­ nanshire FKlO 2QA J. M. NICOL, 17 Polmaise Crescent, Fallin, Stirlingshire ROBERT LAW, 55 Queen Street, Alva, Clackmannanshire XI. Tayside Region: JoHN KIDD, Little Aldie, Fossoway, •Kinross KY13 7QJ XII. Northern Scottish Counties: DOUGLAS W. CRUICKSHANK, 7 Baillies­ wells Drive, Bieldside, Aberdeen 99 XIII. Southern Scottish Counties: HUGH CuNNINGHAM, Carrick Lea, 99 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries Mrs. S. KNIGHT, 17 Greenlea Road, Annan, Dumfriesshire XIV. London and South-Eastern England: A. F. ROBERTSON, 30 Dorset Court, 211-213 Kingsway, Hove, Sussex BN3 4FD XV. North East England: C. MITCHELL, 23 Church Street, Durham City XVI. North Western England: Mrs. T. G. DUNLOP, 'Dinarth,' 16 Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester M30 9GJ XVII. Yorkshire: JAMES PARNHAM, North Lane Gardens, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2QT XVIII. North and Ea8t Midlands: G. W. BURNETT, 40 Brecks Lane, Rother­ ham, Yorkshire LEW W. REID, 'Lea Rig,' 152 Lea Road, Gainsborough, Lines. DN121AN Mrs.· J. A. IRVINE, 'Ulvescroft,' 67 Bonet Lane, Brinsworth, Rotherham, Yorkshire XIX. West Midlands of England: xx. South Western England: XXI. Wales: XXII. Ireland: XXIII. Africa: XXIV. Australia: xxv. New Zealand: Mrs. M. RENNIE, 3 Kintore Tower, Cambuslang, Glasgow XXVI. Canada: Provost E. ROBERTSON, Rosemount Street, Dumfries XXVII. India: XXVIII. U.S.A.: MARVIN D. MCQUEEN, Ackerman Incorporated, 123 East Fifth, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74103, U.S.A. XXIX. Europe: Mrs. M. COULSON, 10 Queensberry Court, Dumfries

SUB-COMMITTEES Finance: Mr. H. G. McKerrow (Convener), Mrs. M. Rennie, Messrs. A. Neil Campbell, T. Anderson, R. Dickson Johnstone, R. Donaldson, D. J. Mclldowie, A. Train, Lew Reid, C. Mitchell and R. B. Cleland. Memorials: Mr. Sam Gaw (Convener), Mrs. M. Rennie, Messrs. H. Cunning­ ham, G. W. Burnett, A. Y. Crawford, E. Robertson, R. A. B. McLaren, D. J. Mclldowie, J. E. Inglis, Chas. C. Easton, T. D. Mcllwraith, Mrs. Coulson and Mr. A. Stoddart. Literature: Charles C. Easton (Convener), Mrs. W~ G. Stewart, Mr. Alex. MacMillan, Messrs. F. J. Belford, T. Anderson, G. W. Burnett, J. E. Inglis, Albert W. Finlayson, W. K. Donnan, Mrs. Jane Burgoyne, J. Parnham, George Anderson, Mrs. M. Irvine, J. M. Nicol, E. Robertson, T. N. Paterson and J. Glass. Schools: Mr. A. W. Finlayson (Convener), Mr. Fred J. Belford, Mrs. M. Coulson, Messrs. A. MacMillan, G. W. Burnett, R. A. B. McLaren, J. Glass, James Parnham, Mrs. S. Knight, T. D. Mcllwraith, C. C. Easton and Mrs. M. Irvine. AUDITORS Henry Brown & Co., 2 Market Lane, Kilmarnock 100 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS at 31/3/76=150

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Affiliated during year 1975/76 W. S. Harland, 16 Westgate, Morecambe, Lancashire LA3 3LN William Williamson, 30 Ivanhoe Road, Foxtar, Paisley, Renfrewshire James H. McCall, 3530 McLaughlin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA90066, U.S.A. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Eliseo, 4639 Royal Oak, Santa Maria, Ca. 93454, U.S.A. R. S. Gilchrist, 5 Kingsknowe Crescent, Edinburgh EH14 2JZ W.W. Swarbrick, 22 Donnington Street, Christchurch, New Zealand Donald Low, 4 Kier Street, Bridge of Allan, Stirling Mrs. D. Ferguson, 7 Dalmeny Drive, Barrhead, Glasgow G78 lJR Miss E. J. Stubbs, 11 Waterfoot Road, Annan OG12 6BY Mrs. H. M. Hyslop, 67 Hecklegirth, Annan Mrs. Carol A. Hurt, 4 Fruids Park Avenue, Annan

101 List of places at which the Annual Conference of the Council has been held.

1885-93 Kilmarnock 1923 Ayr 1953 Paisley 1894 Glasgow 1924 Dwnfries 1954 Sheffield 1895 Dundee 1925 Edinburgh 1955 Edinburgh 1896 Kilmarnock 1926 Perth 1956 Cheltenham 1897 Greeno ck 1927 Derby 1957 Aberdeen 1898 Mauchline 1928 Aberdeen 1958 Harrogate 1899 Dwnfries 1929 Troon 1959 Ayr 1900 Kilmarnock 1930 Greeno ck 1960 Glasgow 1901 Glasgow 1931 Hawick 1961 Dumfries 1902 Greeno ck 1932 Stirling 1962 Durham 1903 Edinburgh 1933 London 1963 Stirling 1904 Stirling 1934 Glasgow 1964 London 1905 Hamilton 1935 Ayr and 1965 Hamilton 1906 Kilmarnock Kilmarnock 1966 Troon 1907 Sunderland 1936 Elgin 1967 Sheffield 1908 St. Andrews 1937 Newcastle- 1968 Falkirk 1909 Dunfermline upon-Tyne 1969 Southport 1910 Lanark 1938 Dwnfries 1970 Arbroath 1911 Glasgow 1940-46 Glasgow 1971 Coventry 1912 Carlisle 1947 Dunoon 1972 Aberdeen 1913 Galashiels 1948 Stirling 1973 Dwnfries 1915-19 Glasgow 1949 Mauchline 1974 Edinburgh 1920 London 1950 Bristol 1975 Dundee 1921 Dunfermline 1951 Montrose 1976 Leeds 1922 Birmingham 1952 Norwich

The Council did not meet in 1914 and in 1939.

102 LIST OF DISTRICTS

1. Ayrshire-37 Clubs: 4 Members 0 Kilmarnock 664 West Kilbride 35 Dairy 671 S. Andrew's Cronies (Irvine) 45 Cumnock 681 Cronies, Kilmarnock 56 Muirkirk Lapraik 728 Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton 173 Irvine 772 Prestwick 179 Dailly Jolly Beggars 773 Cumnock Cronies 192 Ayrshire B.C. Association 811 Logangate, Cumnock 252 Alloway 821 Ayr Masonic 274 Troon 859 Irvine Eglinton Burns Club 275 Ayr 892 Ayrshire Metal Products 310 Mauchline 900 Irvine Valley Burns Club 349 'Howff,' Kilmarnock 906 Ayrshire Constabulary 365 Catrine 908 'Brithers Be,' Kilmarnock 370 Dundonald 920 Trysting Thom 377 Kilbirnie Rosebery 931 Beith Caledonia 500 New Cumnock 933 Busbiehill 592 Benwhat 936 Irvine Lasses 593 Barrmill Jolly Beggars 948 Saltcoats Glencairn 632 Symington Secretary: Robert Kirk, Parkstone, Ploughlands Road, Dundonald, Ayrshire KA29BY

II. Edinburgh-16 Clubs: 2 Members 22 Edinburgh 341 Leith 124 Ninety 346 Oakbank Mossgiel 198 Gorebridge 378 Edinburgh B.C. Association 212 Portobello 516 The Airts Burns Club 293 Newcraighall 813 Tranent '25' 307 Edinburgh Ayrshire Association 825 Clarinda Ladies 314 Edinburgh Scottish 929 Bathgate 340 Balerno Burns Club 947 John Cairney Burns Club Secretary: G. Henderson Laing, 50 Marionville Drive, Edinburgh EH7 6BW

III. Glasgow-16 Clubs: 2 Members 7 Thistle 169 Glasgow Burns Club 9 Royalty Association 33 Haggis 263 Masonic 36 Rosebery 282 Burns Bowling Association 49 Bridgeton 581 Cumbernauld 68 Sandyford 585 Queen's Park Clarinda 72 Partick 612 Torrance Masonic 74 National Burns Memorial 642 Rutherglen Cottage Homes 939 Griffin Secretary: 103 IV. Dunbarton, Argyll and Bute Shires-5 Clubs: 1 Member 2 Alexandria 580 Cumbrae 10 Dumbarton 695 Kilmaronock (Dunbartonshire) 831 Lochgoilhead Secretary: T. Wilson, 111 Brucehill Road, Di.µnbarton G82 4ER

V. FIFE-6 Clubs: 1 Member 62 Cupar 688 Poosie Nansie Ladies, Kirkcaldy 85 Dunfermline 768 Auchterderran Jolly Beggars 350 Markinch 803 Bowhill People's Club Secretary:

VI. Lanarkshire-20 Clubs: 2 Members 20 Airdrie 542 Newarthill White Heather 133 Newarthill 578 Lanarkshire B.C.A. 152 Hamilton 637 Millheugh 237 Uddingston Masonic 761 Kirkton Bonnie Jean, 348 Newton Bonnie Jean Carluke 356 Burnbank Masonic 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars 387 Cambuslang Mary Campbell 810 Thirty-Seven Burns Club 388 Kyle (Shotts) Ladies 889 Strathclyde Motherwell 392 Whiffiet 907 Stonehouse Burns Club 494 Motherwell United Services 949 Fir Park Club 520 Uddingston Lochlie Ladies Secretary: Thomas N. Paterson, 90 Branchelfield Drive, Wishaw, Lanarkshire

VII. Mid and East Lothian and Borders-9 Clubs: 1 Member 5 Ercildoune 740 Thorntree Mystic 96 Jedburgh 784 Kelso 187 Galashiels Burns Club 839 Coldstream 199 Newbattle and District 942 Easthouses Miners Welfare 239 Hawick Secretary:

VIII. West Lothian-1 Club: 1 Member 929 Bathgate Secretary:

IX. Renfrewshire-9 Clubs: 1 Member 21 Greenock 472 Renfrewshire B.C.A. 48 Paisley 576 Fort Matilda 59 Gourock Jolly Beggars 748 Ouplaymuir 209 Greenock St. John's 944 Alamo, Paisley 430 Gourock Secretary: Robert Miller, F.S.A.Scot., 11 Murdieston Street, Greenock PA15 4DT 104 X. Stirling, Clackmannan and West Perthshire-30 Clubs: 3 Members 4 Callander 725 Ben Cleuch, Tillicoultry 37 D0llar 741 Plean 50 Stirling 769 Robert Bruce (Clackmannan) 116 Greenloaning 824 Stirling, Clackmannan and 126 Falkirk West Perthshire 426 Sauchie . 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie 469 Denny Cross 865 Foresters Arms 503 Dunblane 876 Tullibody Working Men's 510 I.CJ., Grangemouth Burns Club 543 Abbey Craig 895 Westerton Arms Burns Club 630 Coalsnaughton 902 Newmarket Burns Club 646 Clear Winding Devon, Alva 911 Borestone Bowling Club 648 Carron Bridge, Kilsyth 923 Old Manor Burns Club 657 Fallin Burns Club 925 Laurieston 665 Gartmorn Ladies 930 Wheatsheaf, Falkirk 679 Tullibody and Cambus 935 Torbrex, Stirling Secretary: Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Terrace, Tullibody, Alloa FKlO 2QA

XI. Tayside Regional Area-7 Clubs: 1 Member 14 Dundee 360 Lochee, Dundee 42 Strathearn 627 Kinross 82 Arbroath 659 Dundee Burns Society 242 Montrose Secretary: John Kidd, Little Aldie, Fossoway, Kinross

XII. Northern Scottish Counties-12 Clubs: 1 Member 40 Aberdeen 691 Inverness 149 Elgin 698 Turriff 336 Peterhead 723 Strathpeffer 403 Fraserburgh 733 Aberdeen Study Circle 458 Stonehaven 897 Glenbervie 470 St. Giles (Elgin) 921 Northern Scottish Counties Association Secretary: Miss Ethel Hall, 3 St. Mary's Place, Aberdeen ABl 2HL

XIII. Southern Scottish Counties-19 Clubs: 2 Members 112 Dumfries Howff 562 Castle Douglas 217 Eskdale 626 Moffat and District 226 Dumfries 629 Sanquhar 323 Kirkcudbright 660 The Langholm Ladies 393 Annan Ladies 693 Masonic, Kirkcudbright 401 Brig-En' (Waverley) 730 Wigtown 437 Dumfries Ladies 818 Dalbeattie and District 530 Southern Scottish Counties 916 Hole I' the Wa' Burns Club B.C.A. 924 S.C.T.A. 536 Whithorn 926 Rosamond Secretary: Mrs. M. Shearer, 211 Lochside Road, Dumfries DG2 OEH. 105 XIV. London and South-Eastern England-7 Clubs: 1 Member 1 Burns Club of London 719 Chelmsford and District Scottish 492 Harrow Cal. Soc. Society 570 Scottish Clans Association of 743 Romford Scottish Association London 918 Dover and East Kent 663 Bournemouth and District Cal. Soc. Secretary: A. F. Robertson, 30 Dorset Court, 211-213 Kingsway, Hove• Sussex BN3 4FD

XV. North-Eastern England-12 Clubs: 1 Member 89 Sunderland 759 Sunderland and District Cal. 158 Darlington· Society 534 Bedlington and District 775 Hartlepools Cal. Society 696 Whitley Bay 796 Gateshead and District St. 699 Choppington Andrew's Society 744 Durham and District Cal. 898 Peterlee and District Cal. Society Society 745 Northumberland and Durham 901 Cramlington Burns Club Cal. Soc. Secretary: L. A. Nicol, 49 Hipsburn Drive, Sunderland SR3 lTY

XVI. North-Western England-14 Clubs: 1 Member 71 Carlisle 674 Manchester and Salford Cal. 95 Bolton Association 236 Whitehaven 753 Westmorland St. Andrew 363 Barrow St. Andrew's Society Society 366 Liverpool 754 Thornton Cleveleys and District 417 Burnley and District Scottish Society 436 Walney Jolly Beggars Ladies 780 Isle of Man Cal. Society 572 Chester Cal. Association 834 St. Andrews Society 618 Altrincham and Sale Cal. Soc. (Altrincham, Sale and Dist.) Secretary: Mrs. W. G. Diggle, 18 Gorses Mount, D'Arcy Lever, Bolton, Lanes.

XVII. Yorkshire-14 Clubs: 1 Member 548 Leeds Cal. Society 880 Otley and District 551 Scarborough Cal. Society 894 Beverly and District 555 Harrogate St. Andrew's Soc. 905 Keighley and District 718 St. Andrew Society of York 909 Richmond (Yorks.) Cal. Soc. 763 Wakefield Cal. Society 928 The Highland Society, Leeds 808 Pontefract and Dist. Cal. Soc. 943 Humberside Burns Society 812 Bradford St. Andrew's Society 945 Kirklees Highland Society Secretary: A. Anderson Kidd, 'Failte,' 1 Copperbeach Close, Pontefract, Yorks. 106 XVIII. North and East Midlands of England-25 Clubs: 3 Members 11 Chesterfield Cal. Society 854 North-East Midlands Assoc. 17 Nottingham of Scottish Societies 55 Derby 861 Cal. Soc. of Lincoln 329 Newark and District 862 Market Rasen Scottish 405 Sheffield Cal. Society Association 439 Barnsley Scottish Society 866 Heanor and Dist. Cal. Soc. 454 Rotherham 872 East Midlands Scottish Soc. 461 Leicester Cal. Society 878 Worksop Burns and Cal. 556 Doncaster Cal. Society Club 606 Corby 887 Gainsborough District 706 North Lindsey Scots Society 903 Newhall, Burton-on-Trent 720 Retford Cal. Society Burns Club 746 Grimsby and District Cal. 917 Scottish Presidents' Assoc. Society 922 Clumber Burns Club 822 Mansfield Dist. Cal. Society 932 Corby Afton Burns Club Secretary: J.E. Inglis, 'Glentress,' Halloughton Road, Southwell, Notts.

XIX. West Midlands of England-10 Clubs: 1 Member 167 Birmingham 683 Stratford upon Avon and 296 Walsall District Cal. Society 553 Wolverhampton 707 Malvern Scots Club 559 Coventry Cal. Society 777 Nuneaton Scottish Society 661 Leamington and Warwick Cal. 845 Tam o' Shanter, Coventry Society 881 Rugeley and Dist. Burns Club Secretary: A. M. McDowall, 15 Greensleeves Close, Coventry

xx. South-Western England-7 Clubs: 1 Member 120 Bristol 535 Plymouth and Dist. Cal. Soc. 446 Herefordshire 721 Plym::mth Burns Club 462 Cheltenham Scottish Society 791 Swindon and District 918 Dover and East Kent Secretary: Mrs. Dora Dodd, 11 Westmorland House, Durdham Park, Btistol BS6 6XH.

XXl. Wales-1Club:1 Member 444 Swansea and West Wales

XXII. lreland-2 Clubs: 1 Member 15 Belfast 904 Star of Burns Lame XXll. Africa-2 Clubs: 1 Member 896 Sierra Leone 934 Manama Cal. Society 107 XXIV. Australia-11 Clubs: 1 Member 511 Perth 874 Melbowne Masonic 566 Scottish Soc. and Burns Club 882 Canberra Highland Society of Australia 890 Wollongong Burns Society 711 Victorian Scottish Union 914 Ipswich and West Moreton 726 Melbourne 919 Orange and District 864 Burnie Burns Club, Tasmania 950 Drumoyne

XXV. New Zealand-4 Clubs: 1 Member 69 Dunedin 860 Southland Burns Club 851 Auckland Burns Association 915 Canterbury Burns Club

XXVI. Canada-13 Clubs: 1 Member 197 Winnipeg 841 Robert Bums Association of 303 Victoria (B.C.) St. Andrew's Montreal Soc. 842 Ye Bonny Doon, Hamilton, 443 Burns Club of Victoria (B.C.) Ontario 476 Border Cities (Ontario) 888 Vancouver Burns Club 501 Galt 893 North Bay B.C., Ontario 561 London (Ontario) 927 Tarbolton Club, Edmonton 571 Edmonton Burns Club 946 Calgary

XXVIII. U.S.A.-11 Clubs: 1 Member 220 St. Louis 557 Atlanta Ladies 238 Atlanta 597 The Burns Society of the City 284 Philadelphia of New York 320 Troy. 701 Detroit 413 San Francisco St. Andrew's 870 Massachussetts Society 941 San Diego 453 Philadelphia Ladies Awe. Secretary: Howard D. Whiruiery,-560 Fourth Avenue, North Troy, New York U.S.A.

XXIX. Europe-2 Clubs: 1 Member 727 The St. Andrew Soc. of Denmark 912 DIU Club, Jevicko

108 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF COUNCIL BoDINGTON HALL, LEEDS UNIVERSITY, Saturday, llth September, 1976 Mr. Parnham, Chairman of the local Conference Committee, gave a short welcoming speech and thanked everyone involved in the preparations for the Conference . . The President, Mr. James E. Inglis, in his opening remarks, spoke of John Gray and Bill Donnan and members of clubs and districts who had passed on during his year of office. Delegates stood in a minute's silence in respect of their memory. CLUBS REPRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE The figures in brackets denote the number of delegates who handed in their cards. 0 Kilmarnock (2), 1 London (3), 11 Chesterfield (1), 14 Dundee (3), 36 Rosebery (2), 40 Aberdeen (2), 55 Derby (1), 82 Arbroath (1), 89 Sunderland (3), 95 Bolton (3), 112 Dumfries Howff (3), 158 Darlington (3), 169 Glasgow and District (1), 173 Irvine (1), 192 Ayrshire Association (3), 198 Gorebridge (3), 226 Dumfries (3), 252 Alloway (3), 263 Glasgow Masonic (3), 275 Ayr (2), 307 Edinburgh Ayrshire (2), 314 Edinburgh Scottish.(3), 349 Howff Kilmarnock (3), 360 Lochee (3), 365 Catrine (2), 366 Liverpool (3), 370 Dundonald (2), 378 Edinburgh District (3), 387 Mazy Campbell (1), 393 Annan Ladies (3), 405 Sheffield (1), 437 Dumfries Ladies (3), 461 Leicester (3), 492 Harrow (3), 503 Dunblane (1), 530 Southern Scottish Counties (3), 559 Coventry Caledonian (3), 566 Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia (1), 578 Lanarkshire Association (3), 612 Torrance (1), 627 Kinross Jolly Beggars (3), 630 Coalsnaughton (3), 632 Symington (3), 642 Rutherglen (1), 659 Dundee Burns Society (1), 660 Dumfries Ladies (2), 681 Kilmarnock Cronies (3), 696 Whitley Bay (3), 718 York (2), 720 Retford (2), 721 Ply­ mouth (1), 744 Durham (2), 808 Pontefract (1), 809 Allanton (2), 811 Logangate (1), 822 Mansfield (3), 834 Altrincham (2), 845 Coventry Tam o' Shanter (3), 860 Southlands, New Zealand (1), 872 East Midlands Association (1), 880 Otley (3), 890 Wollongong (1), 894 Beverley (2), 900 Irvine Valley (1), 915 Canterbury, New Zealand (1), 916 Hole i' the Wa', Dumfries (1), 917 Scottish Presidents Association (2), 918 Dover and East I Kent (1), 919 Orange and District, Australia (1), 926 Rosamond, Gretna (2), 928 ,I Leeds (1), 933 Busbiehill (2), 936 Irvine Lasses (2), 941 San Diego (1), 942 Easthouses (1), 943 Humberside (1). Total Voting Delegates . . 155 Executive 25

OBSERVERS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS There were a number of overseas visitors who were invited to speak. Mr. William Scott, a founder member of Wollongong Burns Club, Australia, said his was a small club of 30 to 40 members which was very active and had a varied programme. Mr. Alex Johnstone, Sydney, spoke of the Scottish Society and Burns Club of Australia who met monthly. They had had Dan Mclldowie at their Burns Supper and were in close contact with Orange and District who also sent greetings. They were introducing a new club to the Federation. Mr. Sandy Carlyle of San Diego said Alex Sandie had come to San Diego about five years ago and a small group had met informally until a year ago, when they had formed the Burns Club. They had affiliated in November, 1975 and now had 30 members and were growing. They met monthly. Mr. William Adam said he was a founder member of Southland Burns Club, New Zealand (the most southerly club in the Federation) who had helped in the foundation of Canterbury Burns Club. They met monthly with a varied programme. He expressed best wishes from both clubs. Mr. Paxton, Canterbury Burns Club, New Zealand, said his club was very active and held friendship meetings once a month as well as discussion groups once a month and every Friday they met with their wives and have dinner in the club and entertain one another. Visitors were invited to any of the meetings if they visited New Zealand. The President said we were seeing this year the retiral of three of our stalwarts: Fred Belford from Convenership of the Schools Competitions after 42 years; George Vallance, Convener of the Memorials Committee and Mr. Arthur Daw, Editor of the Burns Chronicle, and expressed the Federation's appreciation for their work and best wishes for the future. 109 Apologies: Apologies were intimated from Mrs. Bryant of Sydney whose husband had been taken to hospital in Aberdeen. She was a descendant of the Burns Family. There were also apologies from Andrew Crawford, Jim McCaffery who had had a slight heart attack, Mrs. Burgoyne, Mr. Miller, Greenock, Dr. J. I. Taylor, Matthew McLauchlan, Fred Belford and Arthur Daw. Minute: Adoption of the Minute of the previous Conference, as printed in the Burns Chronicle, was moved by Mr. G. Walker, Darlington and Mr. P. Wishart, Coventry. SECRETARY'S REPORT Mr. Thomson said he had reeeived greetings from Mr. John Begg of Australia and from Bums Clubs in Melbourne, New York and London, Ontario. This is indeed a testing time for the Burns Federation, as it is for most voluntary organisations. Raging inflation has seen vast increases in wages, materials and postal and telephone charges-the last mentioned rising by 133 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. Book production costs have risen 40 per cent in about nine months. In an organisation such as ours, scattered as it is over the world, communication is vital and it is in this field that costs have been so greatly increased. We shrink from thinking on the actual cost of printing and mailing a single copy of the Chronicle. It is a number of years since membership subscriptions were increased and it says much for the Federation that they have been held at the 1972-1973 level. The Burns Federation is made up by a large number of small clubs and, being mindful of their struggle to survive, we have been persuaded to keep subscriptions at this level. How long Mr. McKerrow and his committee can so advise us is a matter for speculation. On the other hand the study of Robert Burns and interest in the Burns Federation calls for a measure of mature years. We always have been an ageing lot; the ravages of time make inroads among the members of the Executive. Well-kent, beloved faces quietly disappear and the survivors can't but look over their shoulders. In this respect we mourn the passing of "Old John" Gray of Ayr; Mrs. S. Graham, Sydney; Robert Robertson, Arbroath; Bill Donan, Sunderland, and Willie Ferguson, of Dumfries. In their various ways, they were stalwarts and we shall miss them as friends and workers. Change takes place in the Executive and Committee convenerships: Alex. MacMillan has vacated the Literature chair: wonderful Fred Belford has resigned from leading the Schools Competitions: George Vallance vowed to give up Memorials on his 70th birthday and, knowing him, he will just do that. In the past year, Arthur Daw has brilliantly succeeded in the Chronicle, replacing Jimmy Veitch whose sudden death overwhelmed us all. On the brighter side, George McKerrow continues to advise us on the financial side; on a less cheerful note, your Hon. Secretary has a few years left in him yet but there might in this direction be a limit to the Federation's patience. Most important of all, Mrs. Turner-Rita, to all of you-thrives on responsibility. What of the Executive in the future? Will we continue to enjoy the services of highly qualified and efficient professional people? Will membership of the Executive be attractive as a means of office rather than of serving? I can look at Tom Mcilwraith, George Anderson, Inez Logan and Sheena and Arthur Elliot and consider the future with some consolation. Returning to the theme of communication there is the thought that, travel-wise, the world is shrinking. 1974 saw the Federation represented at the Anniversary Supper in Edmonton, Alberta; 1975 and 1976 witnessed the gatherings in Moscow, U.S.S.R.; Dan Mclldowie returned once moreJQ Australia and New Zealand; and Alex. Bruce spread his wings over Australia, u.s.s:R. and Canada. Things are flourishing in Canada with talk of representation at the Anniversary, 1977, at London, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta. The former club suggests that the Federation Conference of 1979 be held in Canada. Why not? Why not allow the North American continent join with us in busi­ ness and brotherhood? Will the Burns movement accept and overcome these challenges? Do we fail to see rising wages, preferring to see only rising costs? Are we blind to the revolution in stand­ ards of living since 1945? Is it true that we see inflation only in terms of the added cost of annual vacations overseas? God knows, the Federation is run on the cheap-do we value ourselves too cheaply? Is the Federation, like the nation, tired of leadership and weary of responsibility? Does it survive because of the drive of a few Executive members and do individual clubs exist through the drive of the minority? We shall know these 110 answers in the very near future for, as the old order changes, the new must face up to greater pressures and challt.nges. Against all odds we have survived since 1885'and. in our longevity and organisation, have been and are the envy of other literary institutions. I cannot see us despise or injure our history; rather I would urge the younger members assure their older leaders that their endeavours will not have been in vain. My own hopes lie in the fact that people are turning to Burns at ages younger than in the past. It is to them that we must pass on the aims of the Federation. The auld yins-Fred, Albert and Alex. can relax. I am sure that Tom, George, Inez and their generation will not fail us. And as for the writer, he'll just need to swear and work that bit harder as the "in-between". The Secretary's Report was accepted on a motion by Mr. John Kidd, Tayside Region, seconded by Mr. Peter Wishart, Coventry. Membership In spite of a larger intake of clubs this year our overall members has decreased, partly due to a number of clubs disbanding. Number of clubs on roll as at October 1975 330 Lapsed or disbanded 17 313 Affiliated 941 Robert Burns Club of San Diego 942 Easthouse Miners Welfare Burns Club 943 Humberside Burns Society 912 St. Andrew's Society of Bradford 642 Rutherglen Burns Club 944 The Alamo Burns Club, Paisley 945 An Comunn Gaidhealach, Kirklees 946 Calgary Burns Club 947 John Cairney Burns Club 948 Saltcoats Glencaim Masonic Burns Club 10 323

Quarterly Meetings During the year the following Quarterly Meetings were held: October, 1975- Motherwell as guests of the District Council; December, 1975-Dick Institute, Kilmarnock; March, 1976-Highlanders Institute, Glasgow; June-Gorebridge as guests of the Gorebridge Burns Club.

PUBLICITY REPORT Mr. Anderson said that he did not get all the publicity he would like as what was news to us was of no interest to newspapers and television. Since 1975 we have had more publicity and he had had reason to send out press releases for a number oflittle things, and we have had some television coverage and some newspaper coverage. However, if members were not prepared to let him know what was happening in the districts and clubs he could not do anything. Mr. G. Adam, Whitley Bay 696, asked about the Festival of the Clans being held in Edinburgh next year. They have asked if associations can put up stands in the pavilion for one week of a three week festival. Is there a member of the Federation on the Clans Committee? He felt we might have a supply of the Burns Chronicle at this festival and we might get further publicity from this event. Mr. McLaren was involved in this event and said there would possibly be 10,000 clansmen going to Edinburgh for that week and he felt a Burns table would be appreciated. Costs are high but it might be worth investigating. Mr. Dunlop congratulated Mr. Anderson on his radio broadcast that morning. Mrs. Rennie, representative for New Zealand, moved approval of the Report seconded by Mr. Kerr, Lochee 360. Mr. Inglis gave an inspiring speech stressing the importance of service rather than a 111 !

means of office. He said the Executive Committee had only met once at headquarters during the year but he looked forward to the day that they met only once in Scotland and the rest of the time south of the border. He had visited a number of clubs outside Scotland, but would like to have got round more. The highlights of a president's year was his installation and the installation of his successor. During the year he had attended three Church Services and a Dinner as President and said the St. Giles St. Andrews Service where the Federation was given a place of honour should be included in everyone's diary. He went on to list the many events he had attended and concluded by thanking everyone who had supported him during his year of office. The following office-bearers were unanimously appointed: President: Mr. R. A. B. McLaren, Edinburgh. Senior Vice-President: Mr. A. Train, Motherwell. . Junior Vice-President: Ballot cards were handed round and taken to be counted. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. J. F. T. Thomson. Schools Competitions: Mr. Albert Finlayson, Dumfries, Mr. J. Glass, Alloway. Auditors: Messrs. H. Brown & Co., Foregate, Kilmarnock. Hon. President Mr. Mcildowie spoke of John Begg and of his humble, inconspicuous way of working on behalf of the Burns movement and Mr. Alex Johnstone seconded the motion. As Mr. Begg's sister was unable to attend due to her husband's illness en route to the Conference he accepted the badge on Mr. Begg's behalf, and was asked to convey our eternal gratitude for the work he had done and was doing. The motion by the Ayrshire Association 'that when a vote is required at Annual Conference to elect an office-bearer the number of votes cast for each candidate should be announced' was discussed and a vote taken. The motion was defeated by a majority and it was agreed that the figures would remain secret and the ballot papers would be destroyed immediately after the meeting closed. The ballot papers had now been counted and Mr. Albert Finlayson had been elected Junior Vice-President by a majority. Mr. Allan, Lanarkshire Association 578, extended an invitation to the Federation to hold their Annual Conference in Motherwell in 1977 and Mr. Paterson seconded. There was no official invitation for 1978 but there was a possibility it might be held in Glasgow. There was a recommendation from the Executive that the invitation from London, Ontario, be accepted for the 1979 Conference. The Federation would be willing to run a travel savings club. This invitation was unanimously accepted. Mr. Johnstone, Sydney, nominated a new club, Drumoyne Scottish Society as a member of the Federation and Mr. McIIdowie seconded and the club was unanimously accepted. . ·· Mr. R. A. B. McLaren thanked the districts who had nominated him for this high' office and hoped he would be able to stand up to the great honour. He said the one person who had done more than anyone at the meeting was Jim Inglis who had served the Federation extremely well during the past year and that we looked forward to his presence and words of wisdom at Executive and business meetings in the future. With this expression of appreciation to the retiring President, the meeting was concluded.

SCO'ITISH LITERATURE COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Charles C. Easton said this, his first report, is an easy and pleasant one to submit. A rare change for a reporter. Like a long-gone schooldays' echo of Caesar and his division of Gaul into three parts, it will be just that. The first two parts are tributes. The first to Alex. MacMillan, my most worthy pre­ decessor as Convener of this Committee. Time alone will tell how much the Federation has owed him in that capacity-in shrewd advice over the Chronicle, in actual writing and reviewing, and in the general surveillance of matters covered by the literature field. We all wish Alex. his well-earned respite from these labours. Not that his work load elsewhere is becoming much lighter. In the meantime, we tender to him a most sincere and heartfelt Thank You. Tribute number two is to the new Editor of our Chronicle, Arthur Daw. As a former colleague and friend over many years, I had some part in his nomination, well realising 112 our confidence would not be misplaced. Last year's production was the proof. Rumour, that unwelcome jade, has it that his tenure of office may be short. That we will all regret. The Chronicle will be the poorer if Arthur doesn't have his expert hand in it. Finally, part three, an appeal. The annual one that used to be made by our late good friend, Jimmy Veitch. We print 3,500 copies of the Chronicle; there are 400 clubs in the Federation; so if every club took only ten copies it would increase sales by 500 from its present figure. Whoever you are and wherever you may be, please do buy the Burns Chronicle. Don't forget either, will you, the two other publications for which the Federation is responsible-the New Scots Reader and Bairnsangs. Incidentally, for those who don't know, the Sandy in that distinguished literary trio-Sandy Thomas Ross-is none other than the selfsame Alex. Macmillan. What a man! In these sentiments and appeals, there will join most heartily, I am sure, all the members of the Literature Committee; and to them individually, on a personal note, may I express my warmest thanks for their unstinted support during the past year.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. McKerrow moved approval of the accounts for the year to 30th April, 1976. He pointed out that although the Ordinary Fund showed a balance of £289, when outstanding accounts were taken into account there had only been a balance of £60 at the end of the year. He asked that any club which had not paid its subscription do so as soon as possible. In the Scottish Literature Fund the bulk of the expenditure was on the publication of the Burns Chronicle which now costs almost £3,500 to produce. Clubs were asked year after year to try to sell more copies but only a very few had done so. This was a continuing drain on the resources and the Central Fund which normally looks after Memorials and helps maintain the Burns tradition throughout the country, and which had to be tapped to help the Chronicle to the extent of £400. The Chronicle could not have been published without this help. The Anderson Wilson Memorial Fund continues to be open and the Joseph Laing Waugh Fund continues to support the Southern Scottish Counties who contribute the bulk of the money to present around 60 prizes per year to schools in their area. The Overseas Visits Fund was fairly healthy on paper but there had been no contribution during the year. The Reserve Fund was low due to the expenses of the last Conference but was a very necessary Fund which should be built up. Everyone was aware of the difficulties which inflation is imposing on Clubs, Associ­ ations and Societies and the rise in the subsidy of the Chronicle was worrying. The Chronicle is a priority with the Federation. The Finance Committee is determined not to increase club subscriptions until there is no alternative. Clubs have been asked in the newsletters for alternative ways of raising funds and Mr. McKerrow asked the delegates to have their members discuss this. He thanked Mr. Thomson for the amount of work involved in the accounts and noted that there were no secretary's expenses this year. He also thanked the members of the finance committee for their support. In concluding his report he read the Auditor's docket attached to the accounts. Mr. James George, London Burns Club, said that the Federation were grateful for the firms which supported the Chronicle by giving us charity advertising but felt delegates might be able to recommend possible advertisers. Also in these days of big business sponsoring activities would it not be possible to find someone to sponsor the Federation in some way, such as brewers or distillers. He suggested Mrs. Turner contact Festival of Scottish Societies in London for an advert. Mr. Mcintyre Hood, Edinburgh, said that advertising in a publication with as small a circulation as the Chronicle was simply a donation to the Federation. The only solution to this would be a large increase in circulation and as we have no trade outlet the solution lies in the hands of the delegates to increase sales. Mr. Wilson, Sunderland, asked if the Chain of Office had been valued recently. It had been last valued five years ago and on enquiring about a new link we had been told a link would cost between £300 and £400. Mr. Mcildowie, Dunblane Burns Club, moved approval of the financial report and paid tribute to Mr. McKerrow's conduct of the finance meetings. Mr. Alex Johnstone, Sydney 566, seconded. 113 FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD ORDINARY INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1976: Deposit Account as Statement £3-30 plus late payments not allowed 146·70 £150·00 Current Account as Statement .. £45·00 plus late payments not allowed 4·58 49·58 Annual Subscriptions: Current 1,282·24 Arrears .. 180·00 Associate Members 149-62 Affiliation Fees (half) .. 10·50 Sales of: Vignettes .• 5·28 Hans Hecht 3·00 Records 5·00 Burns and Edinburgh 0·75 Burns Check 90·80 Badges 268·44 Diplomas .. 52·10 Donations 6·15 Posts .. 13·30 Distribution of Circulars 16·50 Credit to Members 12-30 Interest on Deposit Account .. 13·57 £2,309-13

114 lst MAY 1975 to 30th APRIL, 1976 FUND EXPENDITURE Postages £201·49 Stationery 28·59 President's Chain 4·25 Diplomas ...... 25·00 Allowance to President and Vice-Presidents (1975/76) 100·00 Hans Hecht 9·00 Badges .. 368·28 Insurance 20·00 Corporation Tax 126-00 Lallans Society .. 2·00 Records .• 5·00 Expenses of Meetings .. 2·75 Wreaths .. 11·86 Burns Check 64·20 Conference Photos 6-00 Miscellaneous . . . . 11·00 Salary, National Insurance, etc. 1,028·16 Bank Charges .. 17·53 Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account .• 163·57 Current Account .. 125-45

£2,309·13

Outstanding Accounts: President's and Vice-President's Allowances £100·00 Burns Check 49·85 PAYE 48·66 Expenses of Meeting 12·20 Stationery .• 9·84 £220·55

115 SCOTTISH LITER INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: Deposit Account .. £1,019·84 Plus Late Payments 201-34 £1,211-18 £22,300 5 % Treasury Stock 18,l27·00 Burns Chronicle: Clubs £1,334·54 Trade .. 189·23 Advertising 439·00 Chronicle A/c interest 0·51 1,963·28 Bairnsangs 65-80 Scots Readers .. 225-93 Interest on Stock 1,115·00 Bank Interest .. 77·63 Affiliation Fees (half) .. 10·50 £22,796·32

CENTRAL INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: Deposit Account .. £2·73 £16,000 5% Treasury Stock 12,777·80 Stock Interest 800·00 Bank Interest .. 14·33 £13,594·86

JOSEPH LAING WAUGH INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: Deposit Account .. £5-90 £300 4 % Consolidated Stock 207·00 Interest on Stock 7-80 Interest on Deposit Account .. 0·63 £221-33

116 ATUREFUND EXPENDITURE Schools Competitions: Officials' Expenses £13·06 Printing 181·92 Conveners' Expenses .. 12·09 C.H. Nims 100·65 Burns Chronicle: Printing, Postages, etc. £2,750·31 Fees to contributors 169·47 Editor's Expenses 72·76 Editor's Allowance 500·00 3,492·54 Bairnsangs ...... 467·50 Transferred to A. Wilson Fund 26·00 Balance as at 30th April, 1976 Deposit Account .. 375-37 £22,300 5 % Treasury Stock 18,127·00 £22,796·32

Outstanding Accounts: Two years' Administration £100·00 Editor's Notepaper 8·91 Contributors' Allowances 101-13 £210·04

FUND EXPENDITURE Bolton Churchyard £23·00 Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account .. 794·06 £16,000 5% Treasury Stock 12,777-80 £13,594·86

Administration .. £50·00 Newcastle Statue-Plaque 26·19 £76·19

MEMORIAL FUND EXPENDITURE Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account . . . . £14·33 £300 4 % Consolidated Stock 207·00

£221-33

117 GENERAL APPEALS INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: Deposit Account .. £8·23 Donations to Jean Armour Houses .. 73·00 Collection at Conference Houses 140·50 Scottish National Dictionary .. 5·00 Interest on Deposit Account .. 1-14 £227-87

OVERSEAS INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: £1,170·16 Treasury Stock £1,103·56 £400 Treasury Stock 372·01 Deposit Account .. 265·58 Interest on Stock 91·86 Interest on Deposit Account .. 14·92 £1,847·93

RESERVE INCOME Balance as at lst May, 1975: Deposit Account .. £1,129·37 Not shown .. 3·00 £1,132·37 £1,000 Local Authority Stock 1,002-50 Conference Fees 36-60 Interest on Stock 86·48 Interest on Deposit Account .. 61·61 £2,319·56

ANDERSON WILSON INCOME Transferred from Literature Fund £26·00 Donations 285·50 Interest on Deposit Account .. 2-19 £313-69

118 FUND EXPENDITURE Paid to Jean Armour Houses £218·50 Balance on Deposit Account as at 30th April, 1976 9·37

£227-87

VISITS FUND EXPENDITURE Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account .. £322·36 Deposit Account (Edgar Young) 50·00 £1,170·16 Treasury Stock (J. Dyall) .. 1,103·56 £400 Treasury Stock .. 372·01

£1,847·93

FUND EXPENDITURE Conference Printing and Posts £248·91 Officials' Expenses 38·36 Conference Deficit 770·23 Loss on Realisation of Stock 2-50 Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account .. 256-64 £1,000 Local Authority Stock 1,002·92

£2,319·56

MEMORIAL FUND EXPENDITURE Balance as at 30th April, 1976: Deposit Account .• £313-69

£313-69

KILMARNOCK, 2nd September, 1976. We have examined the Books and Accounts of the Burns Federation for the year ended 30th April, 1976, and have obtained all the informa­ tion and explanations required. We certify that the foregoing Financial Statement is in accordance with Books and we have verified that the Funds and Securities at 30th April, 1976, as shown in the Statement are correct. 119 Clubs in arrears: 1 year 2 years 3 years 15 Belfast Burns Association x 76 Brechin Burns Club x 153 Glasgow Scottish .. disbanded 190 Port Glasgow Burns Club x 236 Whitehaven Burns Club .. x 242 Montrose Burns Club x 341 Leith Burns Club .. x 346 Oakbank Mossgiel Burns Club .. x 388 Kyle Ladies' Burns Club .. x 413 St. Andrew Society of San Francisco x 417 Burnley and District Caledonian Society x 439 Barnsley and District Scottish Society .. x 501 Galt Burns Club .. x 523 Highland Society of New South Wales x 542 Newarthill White Heather Burns Club x 555 Harrogate St. Andrew's Society .. x 557 Ladies Burns Club of Atlanta x 575 Windsor (Ontario) Jean Armour Burns Club .. x 577 Dalserf and Clydesdale Burns Club . . . . x 581 Cumbernauld and District Burns Club x 592 Benwhat Burns Club x 614 Bellshill Caledonian Burns Club x 617 Reading and District Caledonian Association . . . x 629 Sanquhar Black Joan Club x 648 Carronbridge Cronies Burns Club x 674 Manchester and Salford Caledonian Association x 710 Burns Society of Toronto x 741 Plean Burns Club x 746 Grimsby and District Caledonian Society x 761 Kirkton Bonnie Jean Burns Club, Carluke x 769 Robert Bruce Burns Club x 773 Cumnock Cronies Burns Club .. x 775 The Hartlepools Burns Club x 815 B.M.K. (Kilmarnock) Burns Club x 826 Charlotte, North Carolina x 849 Jean Armour Burns Club, Sauchie x 852 Fishcross Jolly Beggars Burns Club x 866 Heanor and District Caledonian Society x 885 Motherwell and Wishaw x 899 Portsmouth and District Caledonian S~iety : : x 904 "Star of Burns" Club, Lame x (4 years) 906 Ayrshire Constabularly .. x 910 Bankend "Jolly Beggars" Burns Club .. x 912 DIU Club, Jevicko x 913 Terregles Burns Club x 923 Old Manor Burns Club .. x 931 Beith Caledonia Burns Club x 19 12 16

120 SCHOOLS COMPETITION REPORT Mr. Albert Finlayson paid tribute to the work done by Fred Belford over the past 42 years. He said that over the years Mr. Belford had run the Competitions over five million children had taken part in them. In the past year the returns were as follows: Schools 612 Competitors 131,531 Certificates 7,309 Several difficulties had arisen from the Regionalisation programme as the distri­ bution of the schedules for the competitions to the individual schools was done by the Directors of Education. In the Painting Competition there had not been any entries from senior schools and only 144 from primary schools against last year's 386. He had a panel to do the judging and the entries had been of a very high standard. Five book token prizes had been awarded and 24 certificates of merit. The prizewinners came from a very wide area, Edinburgh, Alloway, Balerno, Irvine and Orkney. The Burns Federation wishes to thank all those who, through their enthusiasm and love for Scottish Literature, Music and Art, make these competitions the success they have for so many years achieved. It was pointed out that the Art Competition was not restricted to Scottish Schools and was open to children throughout the world whose parents were members of the Burns Federation. Margaret Cargill, Edinburgh Ayrshire Association, felt the subject of last year's competitions might not have been suitable to secondary schools. She felt it might be better if it was left open such as an illustration of a Burns poem. ' Mr. John Kidd, Kinross Jolly Beggars, moved adoption of the report seconded by Mr. Mcintyre Hood, Edinburgh.

EDITOR'S REPORT In his absence Mr. Daw had sent in the following report. 'This year's Chronicle is all but complete and the printer is now putting the various articles into page form. I have built on the last issue of the Chronicle, with addition of more news about Clubs and Officials. I hope the balance will be found satisfactory. This issue will mark the end of the present Editor's tenure of office. To become personal for a moment, I would say I have found the contacts I have made with the Federation an introduction into a society of which I knew little or nothing. I am sure I have made some good friends and I will look back with pleasure on my association with the Chronicle. For the sake of whoever follows me as editor, I would like to ask those who receive letters from the Editor to reply to them whether or not they are willing or able to per­ form a service asked. And would club secretaries for any favour, send in their reports by the deadline given. This year, with a mid-June deadline, reports have been trickling in in early September. Whether the reasons for this are good or not these late arrivals are most frustrating to an editor trying to clear his feet. I am strongly of the opinion that a separate editor should be appointed to deal with club reports. They could probably be built up into something more substantial than they are now. And that, I think, is all I have to say. I would like to wish my successor a happy and successful tenure of office and to all who are within the orbit of the Federation the will and the power to spread its influence for good.' Mr. Easton expressed the Federation's thanks for the great assistance he had been during his term of office and Mr. Inglis endorsed this and paid tribute to the work Mr. Easton had put in as Convener of the Literature Committee. Mr. Dinwiddie, Dumfries 226, said he had advertised in the Chronicle for 20 years and found it a viable proposition. Dumfries Burns Club included the price of a Chronicle in its membership fee so all their members got a copy and he felt secretaries could press their members to take more copies as if it were sold as a normal book it would be worth £3·50. Mr. Mcintyre Hood said he would be willing to take care of editing club reports for the Chronicle if that would be of any assistance. 121 Mr. Inglis thanked Mr. Mcintyre Hood and said this would be noted for the October meeting. Mrs. Wilson of Rutherglen Burns Club said she liked the cover of the Chronicle and would always like to see it have a picture of Burns. The Literature and Editor's Reports were approved on a motion by Mrs. Rosalind Keyte, Irvine Lasses and seconded by Mrs. Anna Wilson, Rutherglen.

Clubs which purchased 20 or more Chronicles: Copies 597 New York 100 112 Dumfries 86 21 Greenock 60 0 Kilmarnock 55 173 Irvine 50 845 Tam o' Shanter, Coventry 40 48 Paisley .. 37 252 Alloway .. 32 220 St. Louis 31 360 Lochee .. 30 559 Coventry 30 939 Griffin .. 29 263 Glasgow Masonic 27 1 London .. 25 10 Dumbarton 25 701 Detroit .. 25 275 Ayr 24 746 Ouplaymuir 24 632 Symington 22 20 Airdrie .. 21 370 Dundonald 21 561 London, Ontario 21 839 Coldstream 21 14 Dundee .. 20 33 Glasgow Haggis 20 49 Bridgeton 20 112 Dumfries Howff 20 349 Kilmarnock Howff 20 566 Scottish Society and Burns Club, Australia .. 20 726 Melbourne 20 811 Logangate 20 926 Rosamond 20 927 Tarbolton, Edmonton .. 20 933 Busbiehill 20

MEMORIALS REPORT Mr. George Vallance said this would be his last report as Convener of the Memorials Committee. It had been agreed that the Central Fund donate £400 to the Burns Chronicle, £150 to Jean Armour Burns Houses, £50 to the Castle Street Museum, Mauchline, and £50 for administration. He reported on the deliberations taking place on the Glasgow Venne!; the Federation had objected to the new plans put forward by Cunninghame District Council and were hoping for an opportunity to put their views to the Planning Committee. During the year the Committee had received a suggestion that the statue of Robert Burns presently in the National Picture Gallery should be taken back to Regent Place but the Committee disagreed. Work had been done by the local club members on the Trysting Thom, Edinburgh District had been renovating the Regent Road Monument and the Ayrshire 122 Association were enquiring into the condition of the plaque to mark John Wilson's printing shop in Kilmarnock and questioning the location where it had been erected. He reported on vandalism to the Tam Samson House plaque, the successful year of the Burns House Museum, Mauchline, and gave a detailed report on the progress of the Heritage Trail projects from Alloway to Dumfries. He thanked the members of the Committee and Mr. Thomson for their support during the year and the clubs who had been looking after memorials and reporting to him. Mr. Laing, 378 Edinburgh District, reported the Well at Grants Braes had been renovated and a dedication service would be held at the end of September. · Mr. Heselwood, Sheffield 405, asked about Burns House, Bank Street, Dumfries, and Mr. Vallance replied that the enormous amount of expense required to renovate this house precluded it from being viable to consider preserving it as a memorial. Mr. Macintyre Hood, on behalf of Tranent Bums Club thanked the Federation for their contribution to the work on the grave at Bolton and informed the Conference that the restoration work on the Regent Road Monument had been carried out by the Edinburgh District Council. Mr. Sutherland, Symington 632, said the Church Session of Mauchline were resisting a request that all records prior to 1900 be sent to the Assembly. There is a great deal of local history in these records and he felt the Mauchline Session should be supported in their stand. Mr. W. Scott, Wollongong 890, said he had visited Souter Johnnie's Cottage and paid tribute to the caretaker Mrs. Johnstone for her informative tour of the Cottage. He felt the same would be appreciated at the Cottage at Alloway. He had had the privilege of receiving two boxes of very old 'magic lantern' slides, made by George Washington Wilson, photographer, about 1860 to 1890. They tell stories of Bums starting at Alloway and if anyone is interested he would be willing to have reproductions made and any profit would go to the Federation. Mr. McKerrow said that if the curator at Bums Cottage was approached he would take visitors on a conducted tour of the cottage. Mr. Brown, Rosamond 926, said he had always hoped to have the Brow Well developed. However it appeared that the well is tidal and would always have salt water coming up which destroyed plant life and grass. The local people had made some improvements in the look of the well. · A representative of Glasgow Masonic 263 pointed out that 1976 was the centenary of the Burns Statue in George Square. They were writing to the Regional District Council asking them if the statue could be cleaned and asked if the Federation would back their request when he was sure the Council would do it. They were told to ask the Glasgow and District Association to make the approach first and if they were unsuccessful to refer it to the Federation. Mr. MacFarlane, Derby 55, moved approval of the report seconded by Mr. Scott, Wollongong 890.

123 CLUB NOTES

0; KILMARNOCK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: At the Anniversary Dinner held in Civic Centre, Kilmarnock, on 23rd January the principal toast was proposed by Mr. Angus Macvicar, M.A., Southend, writer and broadcaster, and that to "The Lasses" by another author, Mr. Wm. Mcllvanney, M.A. The President, Mr. Frank J. Jones, M.A., was in the chair. Other events: On 28th November the Club celebrated St. Andrew's Night with a dinner in the Civic Centre when the toast "Auld Scotia" was proposed by Mr. John L. Wilson, M.A., headmaster of Loaningdale School, Biggar, Chairman was the President. ALASDAIR M. GORDON, Secretary.

1 : BURNS CLUB OF LONDON Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January the President Dr. Reg Stewart introduced Lord Birsay who proposed the "Immortal Memory"; Lord Mackie who gave the toast to "The Lasses"; Lady Banks who replied, and Lord Boothby who replied for the guests. Other events: Our monthly meetings of the Vernacular Circle were highlighted by a talk by Professor David Daiches on "Bums and the 18th Century Scotland" and a talk by W. H. Dunlop, C.A., Hon. Sec. of the Bums Monument Trustees, on "160 years of Burns Monument". On 25th January a wreath was laid at the Burns Monument in the Embankment Gardens, followed by a special service at the· Crown Court Church of Scotland in Covent Garden. JAMIE F. GEORGE, Secretary.

2: ALEXANDRIA BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. Ian Campbell, M.P. for West Dunbarton­ shire, proposed the "Immortal Memory". Other events: A St. Andrew's Night was held in November and a Scotch Night in March. At the latter, readings, songs and Scottish violin selections were given. A competition was also held on the English meanings of old Scottish words. ROBERT L. KERR, Secretary.

5: ERCILDOUNE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. A. MacArthur and the other toasts and replies by Messrs. J. Irvine, Notman and Smith and Mrs. Irvine, Mrs. Notman and Mrs. Weatherly. Forty-two members and guests were present. Other events: A St. Andrew's Night was held on 23rd November and in April members of Gorebridge Burns Club were our guests at a very enjoyable social evening. (Mrs.) J. IRVINE, Secretary. 124 7: THISTLE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Alex Conn. The appeal on behalf of Burns Benevolences realised the sum of £97·50. Other events: Prizes were awarded to the winning pupils of Adel phi Secondary School's Burns Competition. The annual bowling match between Thistle and Royalty took place on 17th June. JAMES T. MCAULAY, Secretary. 9: ROYALTY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Dinner was held on 22nd January in the Albany Hotel, Glasgow, President 0. G. Prosser in the chair. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. Stanley Mair. There was an attendance of 354. The Burns Benevolent Appeal by Mr. A. Anderson raised £300. Other events: Fourteen members of the Club attended the Burns Supper in Moscow. The St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held in the Albany Hotel, Glasgow, attended by 150 people. The evening collection for benevolences was £210. Hon. President R. Meiklem led the Royalty members at the wreath-laying cere­ mony at the Burns Statue in George Square. We regained the Grier Trophy at the Annual Golf Match against the Vintners in September and the Royalty versus Thistle Burns Club annual bowling match was played in June. R. c. HANNAH, Secretary. 10: DUMBARTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by the Club President, Mr. Robert M. Macintosh on 23rd January. The annual appeal realised £146 and was distributed among the usual charities. Other events: The St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held on 28th November, and was thoroughly enjoyed by members and guests. THOMAS WILSON, Secretary.

11 : CHESTERFIELD AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. E. C. Marvin, M.A., Sheffield, before a full house. Other events: Author and TV personality Molly Weir proposed the toast to Scotland at the St. Andrew's Ball on 28th November. TREVOR CHAPPELL, Secretary.

14: DUNDEE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. W. Kerr. Other events: A Dinner was held to mark St. Andrew's Night also an annual Club dinner and a number of other successful social evenings. Wreaths were laid at Burns statue in Albert Square. Various Burnsians visited our clubrooms at the time of the Burns Conference in Dundee and we extend a warm invitation to them in the future. G. CURRAN, Secretary. 125 15: BELFAST BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On this exceptionally happy occasion in Suburban Hotel on 24th January the speeches, etc., were recorded by the local broadcasting team. Mr. Alan Roy, Vice-Consul of the American Consulate, said he would be very pleased to join us and he and Mrs. Roy were made most welcome. Mr. Roy proposed the "Immortal Memory". Other events: Nothing much to report because of difficulty in arranging func­ tions. MAYWmTE, Secretary.

20: AIRDRIE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 91st Anniversary Dinner was held on 23rd January when there was the highest attendance for many years. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Sam Barnard, D.F.C., M.A. Mr. Eric Boyd, violinist, with our usual pianist Mr. Maxwell Griffin, L.R.A.M., received a stand­ ing ovation for their recital and, as always, Mr. R. Johnston delighted with Burns songs. Other events: Mr. A. Cuthbertson, M.A., proposed the toast "Scotland" at the St. Andrew's Dinner on 28th November. Mr. Jas. Ross gave an address on his experiences at the Burns Club Supper in Moscow after the completion of business at the A.G.M. MATTHEW P. KIDD, Secretary.

21: GREENOCK BURNS CLUB (THE MOTHER CLUB) Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January at the 174th consecutive din­ ner the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rt. Hon. Lord Bametson who was then inducted as Hon. President of the Club. A record collection of £114 was received on behalf of Burns charities. Other events: Miss Rosaleen Morrison, LL.B., was principal guest and speaker at the St. Andrew's Celebration on 28th November. The annual spring outing visited Tarbolton and the Irvine Club's Museum. DUNCAN McSwEIN, Secretary.

22: EDINBURGH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner-Repoit:"""Rev:Ca!llpbeli McLean of Cramond Kirk pro­ posed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner held in the Royal British Hotel on 26th January. Other events: Monthly meetings were held during the winter. HELEN M. MUIR, Secretary.

24: ST. GILES, ELGIN Anniversary Dinner Report: On 19th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. William Mellis. The Club suffered a severe loss when Mr. Louis G. Gowans died on 25th 126 March. He was affectionately known throughout the district as Ben, and a member of the Club for many years he was in turn Vice-President and President before becoming Secretary in 1969. He resigned because of ill health in 1975. He was one of the party who went from the Club to the first Burns Supper in Moscow. His unfailing interest and leadership did much for the prosperity of the Club. G. S. PETERKIN, J.P., Treasurer.

33: THE GLASGOW HAGGIS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Over three hundred people attended the dinner in Central Hotel, Glasgow, at which the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. James K. Scobbie, O.B.E. Mr. Alastair B. Gillies proposed "The Lasses". Other events: On the annual spring outing on 24th April members visited the Jean Armour Burns Houses at Mauchline before going to Kirkoswald. A golf outing was held on 28th April. DAVID WATSON, Secretary.

36: ROSEBERY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Arthur McArthur of Glasgow Masonic Club 263 at the dinner held in Crichope House. Other events: After the schools competition this year the children and teachers from the schools taking part gathered with us in the clubhouse at Kelvindale Bowling Club. There they sang and recited many Burns items and enjoyed the supper provided. NAN w. McKENZIE, Secretary.

37: DOLLAR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On the 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Ian M. Hendry, M.A., Rector of Dollar Academy. We welcome Mr. Hendry to Dollar and hope the strong link between the Academy and the Club will continue. A record sum was raised for the Jean Armour Homes. Other events: On 21st February a Gala Burns Supper to which the ladies were invited was held and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. James Currie, J.P., B.D., Dunlop. Rev. J.a~s Currie, William Merrilees, O.B.E., Sam Solly and Mary Aytoun, M.B.E., Past President of the Clarinda Club, were made honorary members of the Club. Forty members visited the Cauldron Linn in the afternoon where Burns reputedly spent one of the most pleasant days of his life. ALEX B. MclVER, Secretary.

40: ABERDEEN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January about 100 members and friends met in the Amatola Hotel to hear the "Immortal Memory" given by D. Wilson Ogilvie, M.A., Stonehaven. The toast to the "Lasses" was proposed 127 by David Welch, N.D.H., Director of Leisure and Recreation, Aberdeen District Council. Mr. A. Noble, Hon. President, addressed the Haggis. Other events: On Saturday, 24th January, our President, Mr. John Fraser, laid a wreath on the Burns Statue. Mr. Graham Turnbull addressed members at the St. Andrew's Night Dinner and an innovation this year was a Christmas party for members and friends. We regret the death after a long illness of Mr. Tom Colthart, our Secretary. At the A.G.M. Mrs. J. Findlay and Mrs. B. Allardyce were appointed Hon. Vice-Presidents of the Club in recognition of many years of devoted work. Since Club funds are in a very healthy state the Club is exploring ways of increasing the interest in Burns among school children by running competitions with a shield and cup to the winner. D. W. CRUICKSHANK, · Secretary.

42: STRATHEARN BURNS CLUB Annual Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. David Burnett, Glasgow, at the dinner held in the Drummond Arms, Crieff. It is' with much regret that the death of the club president Mr. John Duncan is recorded. Just before he died he had framed some Burns pictures to be handed over on the visit to Moscow and this ceremony was done by his widow Mrs. Hilda Duncan at the Moscow supper which was also attended by the club secretary and two members of committee. (Mrs.) G. Low, Secretary.

45: CUMNOCK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 19th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Club President, Mr. Alistair Mackie, and the toast to the Club by Sheriff David B. Smith. The Dinner was held in the Dumfries Arms Hotel where the Club was founded in 1887. Other events: The Club was invited to supply a "ready made" Burns Supper to "Holiday Inn" Liverpool. Speakers, singer, accompanist, piper and haggis were all from Cumnock Burns Club. Mr. Jameson Clark recited "Tam o' Shanter" and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. R. D. Hunter, M.B.E., Past President of the Club. K. H. McCALL, Secretary.

48: PAISLEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Anniversary Dinner Report: The dinner was held on 26th January in Paisley Town Hall and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Hugh Fairlie, M.Ed.

49: BRIDGETON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 106th Anniversary Dinner was held in the Central Hotel, Glasgow, on 24th January when 450 members and guests heard 128 the "Immortal Memory" proposed by Mr. Maurice Lindsay, director of the Scottish Civic Trust. Other events: The Hallowe'en supper was held on 28th October and the Ladies' Evening on 7th November. The annual outing to the Burns Houses at Mossgiel was on 12th June and the usual school competition was in December. P. J. WILSON, Secretary.

50: STIRLING BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" at the dinner on 23rd January was proposed by the Club President, Rev. Dr. David Dick. HENRY ROBB, Secretary.

56: MUIRKIRK LAPRAIK BURNS CLUB "Anniversary Dinner Report: Rev. E. Hewitt proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the highly successful dinner and dance. Other events: At the St. Andrew's Night celebration the entertainment was by the Dave Mackin Show. JO~EPH MACKIN, Secretary.

59: GOUROCK JOLLY BEGGARS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held in Bay Hotel, Gourock on 23rd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed 'by Mr. R. Smith, Secretary and past President of the Club. Other events: The annual Burns competition was held in Gourock Primary School, sixty pupils taking part. Eight prizes were presented to successful pupils. ROBERT SMITH, Secretary.

68: SANDYFORD BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held in the Albany Hotel, Glasgow, on 23rd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Sir Andrew Watt Kay. The toast to the "Lasses" was given by Dr. Martin M. Whittet and the reply by Mrs. Moira R. Stirling. J. s. STEEL, Secretary.

69: DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed, before a full house of 123 members and friends, by ex-Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall. Among the guests were Lady Marshall and the Mayor and Mayoress of Dunedin Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Barnes. A wreath was placed next day by Mr. Barnes on the Burns Statue in the Octagon, Dunedin,· and a service held in the First Church, the first minister of which was the Poet's nephew, Rev. Dr. Thomas Burns. On 26th January, a Burns Anniversary Con- 129 cert in the Concert Chamber of Dunedin Town Hall, was attended by at least 700. Other events: Monthly concerts continue and attract an average of 150. During the year the Club was visited by Mr. and Mrs. Alex Bruce and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Mclldowie, who conveyed greetings from the Burns Federation. Throughout the year, the Club's entertainment group provided shows at old people's homes, hospitals and rest homes. J. D. McDONALD, Secretary.

72: PARTICK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. J. Harry Young proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner on 23rd January held in the Refectory of Glasgow University. The traditional toast of Old Partick was given by Mr. Ian Archer. RUSSELL A. SHARP, Secretary.

85: DUNFERMLINE UNITED BURNS CLUB . Anniversary Dinner Report: The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, President, was chairman at the Dinner on 21st January in City Hotel, Dunfermline. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Ian Hendry, Rector, Dollar Academy. J. TORRIE, Secretary.

89: SUNDERLAND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held on 26th January in the Roker Hotel, Sunderland, the chairman, Mrs. K. Nicol, presiding. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Jas. Mason from London. Other events: A ceilidh was held in the Barnes Park Hotel, Sunderland, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North East Association of Burns Clubs and Caledonian Societies. R. G. WILSON, Secretary.

112: BURNS HOWFF CLUB (DUMFRIES) Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. David Campbell, Amisfield, Dumfries. Other events: On 25th January the annual memorial service was conducted in St. Michael's Church followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum· where the Club's tribute was laid by the President, Mr. Richard Wismach. Successful Hallowe'en and St. Andrew's dinners were held but the Ladies' Night dance and the coach outing had to be cancelled due to lack of response. . D. SMITH, Secretary.

120: BRISTOL CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: Burns celebrations at Bristol were in true style at the Grand Hotel, Bristol, on 24th January, the room being decorated with 130 Scottish flags and with a portrait of Burns in place of honour. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. Paul, Bournemouth. Songs, recitations and community singing were included in the programme. I. R., Secretary.

124: THE NINETY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: on 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Sir Michael Swann, Chairman of the BBC and formerly Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University. Other events: on 18th October the club invited Mr. Fred Belford, F.E.I.S., to address them in the course of his 90th year. On 20thbMarch the Kevock Choir, conducted by Alex Elrick, entertained. DAVID G. BLYTH, Secre~ary.

149: ELGIN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rt. Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Mr. William Wittet, President, being in the chair. Mr. Wittet's father was in the chair forty-two years ago when Lord Elgin's father was speaker. Principal guest, proposing "The Town and Trade of Elgin" was Rt. Rev. James G. Matheson, Moderator of the General Assembly. The Scroll of Honorary Membership was presented to these two speakers. Other events: Elgin Burns Club are continuing to present copies of the Burns Chronicle to the local public libraries and the libraries of the local secondary schools. w. D. G. CHALMERS, Secretary.

152: THE HAMILTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On .23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by the President, Mr. John S. Montgomerie. Other events: Prizes were presented to the winners from the 1,000 pupils of Hamilton's Secondary Schools who took part in the annual Scottish Literature Competition. L. PATTISON, Secretary.

158: DARLINGTON BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed at Kingshead Hotel, Darlington, by Mr. A. Morrison, Essex, a past president of the London Burns Club. The dinner was attended by 96 members and friends, including the Mayor and Mayoress. Other events: A full programme of events was held during the season, including a St. Andrew's Night Supper Dance. Eleven members attended a dance in Sunderland in April commemorating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the North East Federation. The clubs in the North East suffered a 131 great loss with the death in May of Mr. W. Donnan, the representative of the N.E. England District of the Federation. Honorary Treasurer for the past 25 years, Mr. G. Walker was obliged to relinquish the post because of ill health. He is making a good recovery and is still an active member of the Association. J. GOWAN, Secretary.

173; IRVINE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by President ex-Provost Alex Rubie at the 150th annual celebration of the Club. "The Founder Members~ and "The Memory of Bonnie Jean" were proposed by Vice-President Mr. Wm. Cowan. A special toast "Irvine Burns Club" was proposed by the noted Paisley Burnsian Mr. Clark Hunter and replied to by Past President and Honorary Member Alex MacMillan. A historic and memorable occasion. Other events: Our 150th year has been crammed with other events. A cairn to relocate the plaque set at the Drukken Steps on our centenary year was built. A book "Irvine and Its Burns Club (1826-1976)" has been produced for publi­ cation in August. A £25,000 alteration to our clubrooms was started in January and completed in time to re-open the museum on our 150th birthday 2nd June. It is hoped that our new "Royal Burgh of Irvine Museum" will be open by the time this Chronicle goes to press, the end result being a wonderful extension to our already unique and living tribute to the Bard. On 25th January a special Burns service was held in the Old Parish Church. Here the Club have been given a loft for use on other occasions also. The usual ongauns as well. A hilarious St. Andrew's Night with comedian Johnny Beattie proposing "Scotland" and bis wife Kitty Lamonte replying to Rugby Lion, Gordon Brown's toast "The Lasses". Birthday celebration on 2nd June. A prolonged lunch in the Inn where our Club was founded-sixteen toasts with rare claret. A dinner to mark the occasion with a witty and sincere toast "Irvine and Its Burns Club" by ex-Secretary of State and Hon. Member the Rt. Hon. William Ross, M.P. ANDREW Hooo, · Secretary.

187; GALASHIELS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The dinner was held in the Maxwell Hotel, Galashiels, on 23rd January. President Mr. Willie Cowan in the chair. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Jim E. Laidlaw, Cumnock. DAVID WILKINSON, Secretary.

192: AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS Quarterly meetings of the above were held at Irvine, Busbiehill, Irvine Valley and Troon, the host club providing refreshments. The Association were invited by Alloway Kirk Session to attend the morning service on 25th January conducted by Rev. L. W. G. Gray, the Association afterwards being the guests of Alloway Bums Glub. 132 Representatives of the Association were present at the wreath-laying ceremony at Ayr and at the Leglen Wood Service. Prizes were provided for singing and reciting of Burns's work at Ayr Musical Festival and the John M. Irving Prize at Kilmarnock and St. Joseph Academies. GEORGE VALLANCE, Secretary.

197: WINNIPEG BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Lt.-Col. A. R. Maciver, C.D. Other events: During the session varied Scottish entertainment was provided at luncheons including a visit from the Scotia Lassies Choir. Special Meeting Winnipeg Burns Club, February 16th, 1976. John Caimey, accompanied by Colin H. Wright, gave a two-hour portrayal of the Life of Robert Bums, being in turn brilliantly dramatic and humorous in verse, prose and song, evoking both laughter and tears as in first person he traced the poet's journey through life. E. R. EVANS, Secretary.

198: GOREBRIDGE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Samuel K. Gaw, Irvine. Other events: At a Burns Supper held in the school all the toasts were pro­ posed by pupils of Primary 7. The club presented twelve book prizes to the winners in the Literature Competition and the pupil with the highest.marks received a watch. 140 pupils were taken by the club to the Burns Country and it was represented at the wreath-laying ceremony in Ayr and at the service in the Leglen Woods. Senior citizens were entertained at the St. Andrew's Night celebrations. ALEXANDER LAW, Secretary.

212: PORTOBELLO BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Before the formal programme the President expressed the sorrow of all at the death of Vice-President J. Y. Bold, J.P., who was to have chaired the Dinner. He paid deserved tribute to his popularity, his service to the Club and the community. Mr. Hector Burchell took over the chair and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Councillor Dennis Maclennan. The President, Councillor J. S. Cavaye who proposed the "Lasses" received a witty reply in verse from Miss Linda Robb. Greetings from Burns enthusiasts included ones from Japan and New Zealand. Other events: At the wreath-laying ceremony at the Burns Memorial, Edin­ burgh, President, Councillor J. S. Cavaye deputised for the Lord Provost. Twenty-four books were presented to prize winners from local schools in competitions to encourage the study of Scots language and literature. An outing to Aberlady and an annual bowling match were both enjoyed. ROBERT MACKAY, Secretary. 133 217: ESKDALE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Club's Anniversary Supper was held in the Eskdale Hotel, Langholm, on 23rd January, Mr. David Shankland of Loch­ maben being our chief guest. Other events: A St. Andrew's Night Social Evening was held in the Buck Hotel, Langholm. The toast to St. Andrew was submitted by Mr. John Elliot of Langholm. Our monthly discussion groups continued in the winter. SHEENA T. ELLIOT, Secretary.

220: BURNS CLUB OF ST. LOUIS Anniversary Dinner Report: On 3lst January at Clayton Club, Clayton, Missouri, guest speaker was Hon. Archibald Rendall, British Consul-General in St. Louis who discussed Burns in the context of present day problems in Scotland. Mr. Jay Willoughby sang and piper was Mr. James Caffray. STEPHEN H. KOHLBY, Secretary.

226; DUMFRIES BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. Christopher Clayson, C.B.E., F.R.C.P., on whom, according to custom, honor­ ary membership of the club was conferred. Since the Royal Burgh of Dumfries has ceased to exist it was the toast "Town and Trade" which was proposed by Mr. J. 0. Blair-Cunnynghame, O.B.E. Other events: Members attended an anniversary service at St. Michael's Church on January 25th, followed by the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum. At the St. Andrew's Night gathering honorary membership of the club was conferred on Mr. Albert Finlayson in recognition of many years' service to the club and Federation. Mr. Frank Crosbie gave a talk on Old Dumfries. JOHN A. C. McFADDEN, Secretary.

238: BURNS CLUB OF ATLANTA Anniversary Dinner Report: The Burns birthday party and' dinner was held on 24th January. Ian "Super Scot" McFarlane presided over his last meeting as President, his successor being G. A. "Mac" Findlay. Mr. James Ness, a native Scot, gave the address to the Haggis. Mr. Paul Boles, well-known author, spoke of the life of Burns "A man for all years". The Burns Club con­ tinues to meet in the only replica of the Burns Cottage in the world. Other events: The Burns Club is sponsoring its third ceilidh, third weekend in October following the Stone Mountain Highland Games the previous week­ end. Three hundred attended last year. J. FRANK CLARK, Secretary.

134 252: ALLOWAY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, M.A., M.B.E., Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Burns Federation. Other events: Dr. B. N. P. Bannatyne, Senior Vice-President, gave a slide show on Kenya in October. In November we held our St. Andrew's Night at which Rev. L. W. G. Gray of Alloway Parish Church was speaker. Mr. Gray officiated at the Annual Church Service in Alloway Parish Church, after which Alloway Burns Club entertained delegates to coffee in the Burns Monument Hotel. In February the pupils of Alloway Primary School gave an excellent concert, the proceeds of £22·44 being sent to· the Scottish National Dictionary. GEORGE A. BRYAN, Secretary.

263: GLASGOW MASONIC BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 30th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. T. Gemmell Campbell, M.A., F.S.A.Scot., Old Parish Church, Arbroath. · Other events: Guest speaker at St. Andrew's and Ladies' Night on 28th November was Rev. J. Johnston, B.D. and on 27th February we had a visit from Bro. Abe Train, J.V.P., Burns Federation. The Children's Verse Speaking Competition was held in April and the adjudicator praised the very high standard. LESLIE S. McGREGOR, Secretary. 275: AYR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. James Currie, J.P., B.D., Dunlop. Other events: The Earl of Elgin was principal speaker at the St. Andrew's Night dinner on lst December. Blairquhan Castle and Culzean Castle were among the places visited on the summer outing. ROBERT CUTHBERTSON, Secretary.

284: PHILADELPHIA NORTH-EASTERN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed, on 24th January, by Charles Hill before a company of 90. The address to the Haggis was given by James M. Lindsay. Other events: The death is recorded with regret of Mr. John McGinchey, President, on 28th September, 1975. Jack hailed from Greenock and was an enthusiastic Burnsian. Rev. JoHN H. LEITCH, S.T.D., Secretary.

303: ST. ANDREW'S AND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY (VICTORIA, B.C.) Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Allan McKinnon, M.C., Member of Parliament for Victoria, at the dinner and ball on 24th January. Other events: With all the Scottish Societies in the city members gathered on 135 the 25th at the Burns Monument in Beacon Hill Park, the first of the parks set aside for the citizens of Victoria, the statue and drinking fountain being erected in 1900. The annual church parade is held the day following the St. Andrew's Night dinner. Special days and holidays throughout the year are marked by parties and other festivities. LILY SUTHERLAND, Secretary.

307; EDINBURGH AYRSHIRE ASSOCIATION AnnivP,rsary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was given by Dr. Barclay at the Annual Dinner ori 21st January and an appreciation by Dr. Duncan McVie. Other events: "A Rockin," Whist Drive, Children's Party, Spier Awa', Tour of Old Corstorphine conducted by Dr. Cormack. G. HENDERSON LAING, Secretary.

310: MAUCHLINE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Past President and Hon. President J. D. Cairns proposed the "Immortal Memory". £35 was collected for the Jean Armour Burns Homes. Other events: Attendances at meetings are still improving and joint meetings with Catrine Cronies are an annual feature of the syllabus. D. I. LYELL, Secretary.

314: SCOTTISH BURNS CLUB (EDINBURGH) Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. Telfer Dunbar, President of the St. Andrew Society. Other events: The club was represented by Mr. M. Mcintyre Hood at the wreath-laying ceremony at Burns Monument, Regent Road. Monthly meeting speakers included Mr. T. D. Mell wraith "With the Burns Federation in Moscow" and Alex and Jessie Bruce "Tour of Australia and New Zealand". JESSIE BRUCE, Secretary.

323: KIRKCUDBRIGHT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. David Malcolm, M.A., LL.B., who also, accompanied by the chairman, Mr. Stuart Anderson, sang a number of the Burns songs. ADAM GRAY, Secretary.

336; PETERHEAD BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: A record number of members and friends attended the 150th Anniversary Dinner on 23rd January. Professor David 136 Daiches propose·d the "Immortal Memory" and the company received the mementoes of this special evening. It was with regret the Club learned of in retirement of croupier Mr. T. J. Smith who had brilliantly served the Club this capacity for 22 years. Other events: As a further celebration of the 150th Anniversary a delegation a of twelve Club members made a pilgrimage to Ayrshire and Dumfries where wreath was placed on the last resting place of our Immortal Bard. W. R. BUCHAN, p.p. J. M. M. Smith, Secretary.

340: BALERNO BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. John McCaig, for many years member of the club, proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner held in Balerno Village Hall, including in his r,ddress some lesser known points of interest about Burns's ancestors. Other events: The children of the local school, Deanpark, took part in the competitions associated with Burns and in the Edinburgh and District Burns Federation competitions won third places in both the song and verse sections. Supervised by the headmaster the children held their own Burns Supper. WM. R. SHANKS, Secretary.

346: OAKBANK MOSSGIEL BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The annual Burns Supper was held in Oakbank Hall on 23rd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. George Smith, East Calder. ELIZABETH G. WALKER, Secretary.

349: HOWFF BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Charles Masson on Friday, 30th January. Other events: On Sunday, 9th May, Club members attended morning service a in the Old High Church. Rev. Alexander McDonald afterwards dedicated the plaque in the churchyard to the memory of the Tannock Brothers given by the Howff Burns Club, Kilmarnock, to mark one of the places of interest along Burns Heritage Trail. MARGARET BOYLE, Secretary.

350: MARKIN CH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Rev. J. H. Miller, Glenrothes, proposed the ..Immortal Memory" at the dinner held on 23rd January in Laurel Bank Hotel. Other events: The usual prizes were presented to winners in the Bums Recitation competition. D. J. D. WIGHTON, Secretary. 137 356: BURNBANK AND DISTRICT MASONIC BURNS CLUB The outstanding event as far as this Club is concerned is our annual Old Folk Treat, the last being attended by the Publicity Officer, Mr. George Anderson, and a report of the Fiftieth Anniversary is in this Chronicle. . CHARLES C. BROWNLIE, Secretary.

360: LOCHEE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 27th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by ex-Bailie J. L. Stewart. The Dinner was attended by Lord Provost of Dundee C. Farquhar and the Lady Provost. Other events: The Club has been active through the season providing speakers and artistes for Burns Suppers and concerts throughout the district. Ninety members attended our St. Andrew's Night function on 27th November. This year Mrs. Jean Paton was appointed president of the Ladies' Section. They have had a most successful season. It is with regret that I report the death of three of our members, Mr. John H. Strachan, Mr. Ben McEwan and Mr. A. Sutherland. Mr. Strachan was Hon. Vice-President of the Club, a past President and first Secretary and Treasurer of the Club when it was reformed after the war. Mr. McEwan who had also done a great deal of work for the Club was made an Hon. Member three years ago. Mr. Sutherland was a new member but also possessed a deep love and profound knowledge of the Bard. G. VALENTINE, Secretary.

366: LIVERPOOL BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: There was a record attendance at the Dinner held at St. George's Hotel, Liverpool on 24th January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. David R. Anderson. Other speakers included the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Other events: Club evenings were held during the winter. The varied programme of talks included one by Miss N. J. Symons on the visit to Moscow and a Burns recital arranged by the Secretary. The presence of Mr. and Mrs. Inglis at the end of season dance helped to make it a very happy finale. MARGARET J. BROWNLIE, Secretary.

370: DUNDONALD BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: At the Dinner in Castle Hotel, Dundonald, on 23rd January, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. R. Hawthorn, Immediate Past President of Prestwick Burns Club. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held on 29th November. Regular monthly meetings were very well attended and the club is closely involved in community life, annually providing a Burns Supper for senior citizens and an outing for Primary 7 children of Dundonald School to such places as Irvine Burns Club Museum and Alloway. The fact that the president, John Cowan, is still under thirty may account for a large number of young men joining the club. ROBERT KIRK, Secretary. 138 377: KJLBIRNIE ROSEBERY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by the Club Treasurer, Cronie George Dickie, the third time he has performed this duty, a tribute to the respect with which he is held in the Club. Vice-President, Wm. Wilson, former Scottish speedway rider, proposed the toast to the "Lasses". Other events: The usual monthly meetings were held in the winter and Mr. Andrew Charters was speaker at the final night when representatives from sister clubs were also present. The Hallowe'en dance and annual Bothy Nicht were highly successful as was the school children's competition. w. J. SMITH, Secretary.

378: EDINBURGH DISTRICT BURNS CLUBS ASSOCIATION Members took part in the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Burns Monument, Regent Road, on 25th January. Competitions in verse and song were held in the local schools. A social evening with prize draw was held. The Burns Monument, Regent Road, has been redecorated by the Edinburgh District Council and we hope to have it open to visitors during the summer months. G. HENDERSON LAING, Secretary.

393: ANNAN LADIES BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held in the Corner House Hotel on 22nd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Jenkins, "Bryde­ kirk". Pipe Major Walter Cowan piped in the haggis. Other events: The summer drive was to Penrith. The Christmas pai:ty in Th,e Bruce was very successful as were other socials. The guest speaker on St. Andrew's Night was Mr. David Shanklin. At our March social forty-five ladies from Dumfries Ladies Club were invited and this proved very successful. (Mrs.) MARY BLACK, Secretary.

401: BRIG EN' (WAVERLEY) BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The lOOth Anniversary of the Club was cele­ brated at the Annual Burns Supper in the Waverley Hotel, Dumfries, on 23rd January. To mark the occasion the Club President, Dr. W. D. Balfour, was presented with a chain of office by the Club Chairman, Mr. David Solley. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. Thomas Train and Dr. David Player proposed the "Lasses". ROBERT AGNEW, Secretary.

403; FRASERBURGH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. John Morrison, Editor of the Turriff and District Advertiser, proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner on 24th January. The toast to "The Lasses" was proposed by Mr. Ian Corrie, M.R.C.V.S. ROBERT WATT, Secretary. 139 405 : CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF SHEFFIELD Anniversary Dinner Report: Burns Night at the Royal Victoria Hotel was thoroughly enjoyed by a company of 250 members and guests. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Bob Scholey, chief executive of the British Steel Corporation. All other speakers were members of the Club except Mr. Frank Davis, President of Sheffield Cambrian Society, who replied to the toast to the guests. Other events: Other main events included a Church Service; combined President's Reception and St. Andrew's Night; Ceilidhs; Hogmanay cele­ brations; Scottish Country Dance and Spring Dinner Dance. There are monthly meetings of the Scottish Arts Group and weekly meetings of the Scottish Country Dance Class. W. CAMPBELL HESELWOOD, Secretary.

426: SAUCHIE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. James Wilson, Tillicoultry, proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dilU1er on 23rd January in the Newtonshaw Lounge. Other events: Annual Meeting and Supper was held on 17th October and the Annual Dance on 8th November. DAVIDS. ROBERTSON, Secretary.

436: WALNEY JOLLY BEGGARS LADIES CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Dinner was held in the Civic Hall. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mrs. E. Doyle and Mrs. L. Nicholson said grace. Mrs. Doyle, Mrs. Kershaw and Mrs. Wright were made life members of the Club. Other events: St. Andrew's Tea and Dance was held in our own hall, as was the Christmas party and anniversary tea in February. Donations and help are given to a number of charities. Mrs. Browne and Mrs. Gorbatt paid a very enjoyable visit to the Canberra Burns Club while visiting Australia. (Mrs.) L. NICHOLSON, Secretary.

437: DUMFRIES LADIES CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held in the County Hotel when Mr. Gibson, headmaster of Noblehill School proposed the "Immortal Memory". Other events: Monthly meetings were well attended and a social evening arranged by past presidents was greatly enjoyed. Forty Club members were guests when The Annan Ladies Burns Club held their social evening in March. The evening drive was to Threave Gardens. The usual prizes were donated to Dumfries Musical Festival. E. KIRKLAND, Secretary. 140 443: BURNS CLUB OF VICTORIA, B.C. Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. A. N. Hutchison, University of Victoria, at the dinner held in Holyrood House, Victoria. Other events: These included a summer steamship trip to Hurricane Ridge and November lunch at the James Bay Hotel and a tea at Brenta Lodge resort. YVONNE H. STEVENSON, Secretary.

446: HEREFORDSHIRE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: One hundred and twelve members and friends attended the dinner at Greyfriars Restaurant, Hereford, on 24th January. Rev. Preb. W. P. Shannon, Immediate Past President, proposed the "Immortal Memory" and members provided the other toasts and songs. w. A. MUIR, Secretary.

462: CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January at the Dinner in the Carlton Hotel, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Roy Goodfellow. This wii.s one of our most successful celebrations. Other events: Our season began with a Ceilidh in September and we have also held a Hallowe'en party, Hogmanay dinner dance and Highland Ball, all greatly enjoyed. PEGGY AITKENHEAD, Secretary.

476: BORDER CITIES BURNS CLUB, WINDSOR, ONTARIO Anniversary Dinner Report: Our annual dinner and dance was held with great success on 24th January in Windsor, Ontario. Chairman of the evening was past President Alec White. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by past President Bob Murray and John Ross gave the "Address to the Haggis". The ceremonies were rounded off by past President Jack Skelton's toast to "The Lasses". The evening was an outstanding success. RONALD H. SHIELDS, Secretary.

500: NEW CUMNOCR.. Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. W. Goudie, president, welcomed members and friends to the annual supper in the Crown Hotel on 23rd January. The club has enjoyed over many years excellent services and facilities and an inscribed figurine to mark this fact was presented to the hoteliers, Mr. and Mrs. A. Dick. An anonymous donor presented £50 as prize money for the competitions held in local schools to foster interest in Burns and his works and this was much appreciated. The annual smoker was held in April and the traditional St. Andrew's Night Dinner. In March committee members handed over to Curnnock and Doon Valley District Council ten volumes of the Scottish National 141 Dictionary to be housed in the local Council Branch Library. They received a promise from District Council representatives to supplement the gift with appro­ priate books on Burns and Scottish literature. W. C. G. PEARSON, Secretary.

503: DUNBLANE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. G. A. Mccutcheon, Clackmannan. T. A. TURNBULL, Secretary.

511: PERTH (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: An anniversary luncheon was held on 20th January and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by our President, Mrs. H. Baillie. Other events: We were delighted to have Mr. and Mrs. Dan Mclldowie as guests at our Christmas luncheon. Meetings continue to be well attended and visitors are always welcome. JANET RUSSELL, Secretary.

516: THE AIRTS BURNS CLUB (PRESTONPANS) Anniversary Dinner Report: Police Inspector Walter C. Brown proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the supper held on 24th January. Other events: A St. Andrew's Night celebration was held as well as monthly dances throughout the year. The annual bus drive went to Dumfries. WALTER M. MUIR, Secretary.

530: SOUTHERN SCOTTISH COUNTIES BURNS ASSOCIATION Representatives from Burns Clubs attended the anniversary service in St. Michael's Church on 25th January and the subsequent wreath-laying ceremony at the Mausoleum. Members of the Association and of the Howff Men's Burns Club took several Associations and Burns Clubs to places of interest in the town. Twenty-two schools submitted 2,256 entries in the Burns Federation Competi­ tion and 65 prizes will be donated. Quarterly meetings in the Globe Inn were well attended. (MRS.) M. SHEARER, Secretary.

534: BEDLINGTON AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held on 21st January in the Ashington Hirst Welfare Club. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. David Irwin and the toast to "The Lasses" by Mr. W. Pollock. Other events: The annual Ladies' Night was held on 24th April when the toast to "The Lasses" was proposed by Dr. P. McElhatton and the reply given by Mrs. Sheila Evans. 142 535: THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY OF PLYMOUTH AND DISTRICT Our main event of the year is the St. Andrew's Night Dinner and Ball which was attended by 130 guests and members. The guests of honour were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. Scottish dances were included in the programme. The Hogmanay dance and Burns Supper were well supported and we also hold a Midsummer dance. (Mrs.) J. STEWART, Secretary.

551: SCARBOROUGH CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. James Parnham, Leeds Caledonian Society. Other events: Monthly meetings at St. Margaret's Hotel proved highly successful for which we say thanks to our hosts Matt and Bett Donaldson. We deeply regret the passing of our Past President Mr. Stan Mcintosh and a seat was presented to the town in his memory. K. M. COCHRANE, Secretary.

559: COVENTRY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: At the dinner held at the Manor Hotel, Meri den, on Friday, 23rd January, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Stewart Gorman. Over two hundred people were present. Other events: St. Andrew's Dinner Dance was held on 29th November at the Civic Hall, Bedworth, and the raffle for the Royal Caledonian Schools realised £50. The 161st Anniversary Dinner for the schools was held in the Dorchester Hotel, London, and was attended by our Treasurer Mrs. C. Neale and Mr. Neale and by Mr. Robert Brown, our Secretary and Mrs. Brown. The junior dance team took part in an international festival of country dancing at Allesley Hall in June and also at the Newra Farm in aid of Dogs for the Blind. ROBERT BROWN, Secretary.

561: LONDON (ONTARIO) BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Andy Stewart proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner on 24th January attended by over five hundred people. He was presented with an inscribed gold watch and his scroll certificate as honorary member of the club. The event received wide newspaper, radio and television coverage. This is a very popular event and already there are bookings for the 1977 dinner at which the speaker is to be J. F. T. Thomson, M.B.E., Federation Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. Other events: A testimonial dinner was held and presentation made to long serving past president/secretary treasurer Eldon W. Mitchell in recognition of the dedication of himself and Mrs. Mitchell. An annual picnic is held and wherever and whenever possible Scottish shows are sponsored in the area and the interests of the very thriving club are promoted. R. CLEMENTS, Secretary. 143 566; THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY AND BURNS CLUB OF AUSTRALIA Anniversary Dinner Report: Our annual supper was held on 31st January at Wentworth Hotel, Sydney, attended by 270 members and friends. Our guests of · honour were the Hon. Sir Alister McMullin, K.C.M.G. and Lady McMullin and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Mclldowie from the Burns Federation. Sir Alister replied to "the· toast "The Land of Our Adoption" and Mr. Mclldowie extended greetings from the Federation. The Oration was given by the Rev. Graham Hardie, St. Stephen's, Sydney, and our toastmaster was Mr. John Begg, Senior Vice-President. Everything combined to make this our best supper ever. Other events: We were well represented at the Scots Church in Sydney on St. Andrew's Anniversary Sunday. This was followed by a lunch and Mrs. Jean London gave a talk on the town of St. Andrews. On 25th January our Society, together with others, joined in worship at St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Sydney, in a service conducted by Rev. Graham Hardie. Later we laid a wreath at the Burns Statue and Mr. Mclldowie laid one on behalf of the Burns Federation. MAY DICKIE, Secretary.

572: CHESTER CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: The principal toast was proposed by Sheriff Irvine Smith, Glasgow. Mr. J. A. Kilpatrick, F.R.C.S., who has been a regular attender at Chester Burns Dinners for about 30 years, proposed "The Land We Live In". Following his recent retiral, Mr. Kilpatrick is returning to Scotland. Mr. John Moufries sang Burns songs and the Bishop of Chester an English drinking song. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner and Ball was held. At the Highland Ball, a presentation was made to Colonel W. E. I. Armstrong, a Past President, to mark his current Presidency of the Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Scottish Societies. T. s. LEA, Secretary.

578; LANARKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS Anniversary Dinner Report: The Annual Supper Dance was held on 14th February in the Burnhead Community Centre, Viewpark, Mr. R. B. Cleland, President, in the chair. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. S. K. Gaw, President of the Ayr Association. Other events: Members of clubs in the district joined in a successful dance held in November in Allanton Miners Welfare Hall. THOMAS N. PATERSON, Secretary.

580; CUMBRAE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 30th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. James Hamilton. The collection of £55 was divided, £35 to the Jean Armour Burns Houses and the remainder contributed towards the binding of the now completed National Dictionary. · Other events: A successful St. Andrew's Night Dance was held. In September 144 some of the committee and friends visited the ladies of the Jean Armour Burns Houses presenting groceries to each lady as did also the President and Vice­ President after the New Year. JAMES c. ALLAN, Secretary. 593: BARRMiLL JOLLY BEGGARS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. D. C. Cassidy, Kilwinning, at the dinner in Caledonia Inn, Beith, on 23rd January. Other events: A function to mark St. Andrew's Night was held on the 28th November and interesting and informative talks were given at four open nights. B. c. BEARE, Secretary.

612: TORRANCE MASONIC SOCIAL AND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The 46th Supper was held in Caldwell Hall on 24th January. The guest speaker was Mr. James P. Simpson, past President Glasgow and District Burns Association. The toast to "The Lasses" was given by Mr. Ian Bowman and replied to by Mrs. Ian Morton. The appeal for the Jean Armour Building Fund resulted in £30. Other events: St. Andrew's Night was celebrated on 29th November when the toast "St. Andrew and Scotland" was given by Mr. Arch. McArthur, past President Glasgow Masonic Burns Club. On Sunday, lst February a joint Divine Service was held in Colston-Milton Church and attended by the Torrance Masonic Burns Club and Glasgow Masonic Burns Club. The preacher was Rev. J. M. Stewart, Hon. President Torrance Burns Club. We record with much regret the passing of two members, John Hunter and Gavin Black, both of whom were loyal and staunch members over a long number of years. FRED c. JORDAN, P.P., Secretary.

618: ALTRINCHAM AND SALE CALEDONIA SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: The 3lst Annual Burns Supper held by the club took place in the Masonic Hall, Sale, on 23rd January. The President, Mrs. E. Hewson, welcomed the Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford, Councillor and Mrs. G. H. Carnall and other guests. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. A. Charters, past president of Ayr Burns Club. Other events: Monthly social evenings were held, members of the Manchester Scottish Singers, Manchester Branch of the R.S.C.D:S., and Manchester Gaelic Choir being among the entertainers. In November the annual All Scottish Dance was held in Sale Town Hall. J. MCFARLANE, Secretary. 626: MOFFAT AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. Robert Aitken, St. Mary's Church, Moffat. Other events: Monthly meetings were held from October to April. CHARLES T. YOUNG, Secretary. 145 627: KINROSS JOLLY BEGGARS Anniversary Dinner Report: One hundred and forty members met in the Gartwhinzean Hotel on 23rd January when the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John Reid, M.B.E., M.A., Ardrossan. Two life members were made, David A. R. Cuthbert, M.C., D.L., 49 years, and David H. Sands, who still attends the functions, si years. It is with regret we note the passing of five of our members, Robert Bruce, John Craig, Ian Macleish, Archie Stewart and David Young. JOHN KIDD, Secretary.

630: COALSNAUGHTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Club Dinner was held in the Village Hall on 24th January, 120 attending. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Superintendent Ronald Fraser, Central Region Constabulary. Mr. Frank Simpson was elected and received his Honorary Membership cards. Only four Honorary Members can be elected. Collection for the Jean Armour Burns Houses amounted to £36. On 20th January a Dinner was held in the Club room for wives of members, Mrs. Sheila Karlin, formerly Miss S. Ross, Ayr, proposing the "Immortal Memory". · Other events: The Bairns' Picnic in June was to Dunfermline and the members' drive to Ayr on 20th July. They attended wreath-laying at Burns Statue, Ayr, and service at Leglen Wood. Books were awarded to the winners of the School Burns Competition and gifts to the infant class. We are delighted to have had clubs visiting us at our Club room. ALEX C. COOK, Secretary.

632: SYMINGTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 21st January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Albert Finlayson, F.E.I.S., of Dumfries. A collection on behalf of the Jean Armour Burns Houses amounted to £14. Other events: Guest speaker at the St. Andrew's Night Dinner was Major John Weir, D.S.O., O.B.B. The club was represented at the Church Service in January in Alloway Kirk and at the wreath-laying ceremony at Ayr in July at which the President laid the wreath. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the Schools Burns Competition. After twenty-two years in office Mrs. Jean Anderson has retired as secretary and treasurer. We deeply regret the death of two Hon. Presidents and members Mr. John Gray and Lady D. Mcinnes-Shaw. (MRS.) OLIVE SUTHERLAND, Secretary.

646: THE CLEAR WINDING DEVON ALVA BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Jasper Burt. A collection of £9 was forwarded to the Jean Armour Homes. Other events: The guest speaker at the St. Andrew's Night on 28th November 146 was Rev. Dr. Peter Brodie of Alloa. Five other social evenings were held during the season and exchange visits with the Fallin Gothenburg Burns Club. Compe­ tition prizes were again donated to Alva Academy. Mr. R. Law was re-elected Vice-President of the Area Federation and a member of the Burns Federation Executive Committee. (Mrs.) ANNA LAW, Secretary.

657: FALLIN GOTHENBURG BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. T. Coulter, Tullibody on 30th January. A donation of £10 was sent to the Jean Armour Homes on behalf of the Club. Other events: At our St. Andrew's Night celebrations the toast was proposed by our President, Mr. J. Young. The Club has now purchased a Badge of Office for the President. Instead of an outing this year the Club decided to hold a dinner dance which proved very successful. Visits were exchanged with "Clear Winding Devon" Burns Club of Alva and were mutually enjoyed. J. MILROY, Secretary.

659: DUNDEE BURNS SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: At the Dinner held on 26th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. Frank Dey, Logie Church, Dundee. There was a full programme of toasts and music. Other events: The Society's annual outing in May was to Perth, Falkland, East Neuk of Fife and St. Andrews. DAVID w. BETI, Secretary.

660: LANGHOLM LADIES' BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 29th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Constable David Russell of Dumfries. Other events: In October, after a supper, slides were shown accompanied by commentary and song and a report on the conference was submitted by the Vice-President. St. Andrew's Night was celebrated with a supper. Mr. T. A. Hutton was speaker. Mrs. D. Mitchell gave readings after a supper and bring­ and-buy sale that brought the season to a close in February. N. L. c. McINTOSH, Secretary.

661: LEAMINGTON AND WARWICK CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Prof. Alan R. Gemmel, J.P., Ph.D., F.l.Biol., University of Keele and member of the BBC Gardeners' Question Time. Other events: Successful occasions included the President's Night; St. Andrew's Night Dinner and Dance; Hogmanay Party; Highland Ball; supper evenings and joint social with local Welsh and Yorkshire Societies. Donations have been sent off to Jean Armour Burns Houses and Marjory Fry Foundation. (Mrs.) K. M. OLLETI, Secretary. 147 665: GARTMORAN LADIES' BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 28th January guest speaker was Mr. Alex. Cook, Coalsnaughton Burns Club. We had as guests representatives from various clubs in the county. Other events: One of our founder members who is also our oldest member as well as being a very active one, Mrs. Kilpatrick, celebrated her 80th birthday. (Mrs.) M. RAMAGE, Secretary.

681: THE CRONIES BURNS CLUB, KILMARNOCK Anniversary Dinner Report: Our annual Burns Supper was held in the Ross Hotel, Kilmarnock when 104 members and friends attended. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. James Currie, J.P., B.D. A collection taken for the National Memorial Cottage, Mauchline, amounted to £15. Other events: On 25th May we had an outing to Harvieston Castle to see the cairn erected by Dollar Burns Club and were the guests of Coalsnaughton Burns Club, Tillicoultry. Members also attended the Burns Ride in Ayr in June. Forty-seven members attended the wreath-laying ceremony in Burns Statue Square, Ayr, on 19th July then went to the Leglen Wood service and called at the Bachelors Club in Tarbolton. Members also attended the wreath-laying service in Burns Statue Square on 25th January when our President laid a wreath on behalf of the Club. On this occasion the wreath-layers and their wives were the guests of Provost A. D. Paton and Mrs. Paton at lunch in the Carrick Lodge Hotel, Ayr. (Mrs.) F. LOLLEY, Secretary.

691: INVERNESS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Nearly 200 members and friends attended the Dinner on 22nd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rt. Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, D.L., J.P. Musical items included strath­ speys and reels by the Inverness Strathspey and Reel Society. Other events: The Club participated in the Festival of Leisure Activities under the auspices of Inverness Rotary Club. D. F. MACDOUGALL, Secretary.

696: WHITLEY BAY AND DISTRICT SOCIETY OF SAINT ANDREW Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. S. K. Gaw, Irvine. Other events: Guest speaker at the St. Andrew's Night Ball was Past President Mr. G. L. Brown. (Miss) J. H. COLVILLE, Secretary. 148 698: TURRIFF BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: on 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mrs. A. S. Jessop, LL.B., Montrose. Later Mr. R. M. Livingstone described his experiences during his visit to the Burns Supper in Moscow. Tribute was paid to the late Colvin S. Philip, Hon. President, by Mr. George Strachan. ANDREW C. W. SINCLAIR, President.

699: CHOPPINGTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Held on 24th January in the Choppington Welfare Hall when the "Immortal Memory" was given by ex Police Chief Supt. Watty Turnbull, Morpeth. This was also the silver jubilee celebrations of the Club and a suitable cake was made by our President's wife Mrs. Barbara Keenlyside. Other events: These included a coach trip to Hawick; buffet dances and a "stag" night. J. E. GODDEN, Secretary.

701 : THE DETROIT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January in the M.E.A. Hall, Dearborn, Michigan, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Trustee James Ross. Other events: On 25th January a wreath was placed by the club at the Bums Statue in Cass Park, Detroit, and two Lassies Nights were held. An enjoyable evening was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Smith who showed slides of Scotland and the Burns Country. SAMUEL R. DICKIE, Secretary.

718: ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY OF YORK Anniversary Dinner Report: This dinner and dance was held at Messrs. Terry's, York, when the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. G. M. Carstairs, M.D., F.R.C.P.(Edin.), Vice-Cliancellor, University of York. Other guests included the Lord Mayor, of York, Councillor Jack P. Birch, J.P., who replied to the toast "The Toon we Bide in and our Guests" proposed by Mr. Jack L. Smith, President-elect of the Society. Other events: The season opened with the President's Reception followed by the St. Andrew Day Dinner and Dance and the New Year supper dance. The Ladies Circle held monthly luncheon meetings during the winter. It is with great regret we record the death of Mr. Robert Rae Ferguson who became a member of this Society in 1951. Twenty-one years ago he was first elected to the Council, later he became Secretary, President-elect and then, in 1971-72, President. During his year in that office he visited other Scottish societies and the activities of this Society attained a very high standard. He came to York from Doune in 1937. J. ROBERTSON, Secretary. 149 720: RETFORD DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On the 2lst January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. R. S. Matthews, past President of the Rotherham Society. Other events: Functions included, President's reception, Hallowe'en children's party, haggis supper on St. Andrew's Night, a hogmanay dance, coffee evening and an end of season buffet dance in March. D. I. WALKER, Secretary.

721: PLYMOUTH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by the President, Mr. George F. Johnstone, on 24th January. Among the many dis­ tinguished guests were the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor W. Ivor Thomp­ son, who proposed the toast "Scots Folk"; the Lady Mayoress and presidents of kindred societies. (Mrs.) s. HOSKING, Secretary.

723: STRATHPEFFER BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Calum Kennedy, Dingwall, at a function attended by eighty members and guests. Mr. John McLintock, M.A., LL.B., who has been our president since 1948, was made a life member of the Club. Secretary.

725: BEN CLEUGH BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The main speaker in the Bridge Hotel, Tilli­ coultry, was Mr. J. Dickie, retired rector of Alloa Academy. Founder members Mr. A. J. Bett and Mr. W. Gullen, were made honorary presidents. G. LEATHARD, Secretary.

726: THE MELBOURNE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dillller Report: The Anniversary Dillller held on the 30th Janu­ ary was attended by 260 people when the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John McLean, one of our own members. Other events: In January the Statue service was held and was well attended. A number of people took part in readings and recitations. Later in the year a picnic was held in the gardens at which Burns's songs and Scottish dances were enjoyed. STELLA M. BROWN, Secretary

727: THE ST. ANDREW SOCIETY OF DENMARK Anniversary Dinner Report: Eighty-nine members attended the supper on 25th January, the Society's President, Mr. Hamish Buchanan Barclay, delivering the Ode to the Haggis. Sir Andrew Gilchrist, K.C.M.G., Highland 150 and Islands Development Board, delivered the "Immortal Memory". The supper was attended by H.B. Sir Andrew Starck, British Ambassador to Den­ mark, just prior to leaving Denmark for another post. Other events: The Society's Highland Games attracted more than 3000 spectators. A Scottish Ball was held on 29th November starring Ian Anderson's Scottish Dance Band from Nethy Brjdge Hotel. PER BERGENHOLZ, Secretary.

728: TARBOLTON BACHELORS' CLUB COMMITTEE Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held on 23rd January with Mr. Sam Hay in the chair. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John Spiers, LL.B. and the Address to the Haggis was given by Mr. Charles Garven. The toast "The National Trust for Scotland" was proposed by the Hon. Geo. Younger, M.P. for Ayr. CHARLES GARVEN, Secretary.

733: ABERDEEN BURNS STUDY CIRCLE -The Circle has had another very successful and enjoyable year. There was a regular programme of meetings; an anniversary supper and an excursion to , Glasgow. The Life, Works and Times of the Poet were studied in depth.

R. H. WATSON, Secretary.

743: ROMFORD SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held at White Hart Hotel, Romford, on 28th January, President Mr. J. G. Campbell. Mr. Peter Grant proposed the "Immortal Memory" and Mr. William Champion addressed the Haggis. The Mayor of Havering, Councillor A. G. C. Davis, replied to the toast to the guests. There was an excellent programme of songs by Mrs. Boyce, accompanied by Mr. Jock Wallace. Secretary.

744: DURHAM AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: The Dinner was held on Friday, 23rd January in the Three Tuns Hotel, Durham, and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. Telfer Dunbar, Carnwath, Lanarkshire. Other events: Foreign students and teachers were guests at the Hall owe'en Ceilidh. A St. Andrew's Night Dinner Dance, a film evening, Scottish Country Dance and 25th Anniversary Celebration Dance were all enjoyed.

J. STEWART TAIT, Secretary. 151 745: NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John D. Pollock, General Secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland. Other events: These included a St. Andrew's Night Dinner and Ball, a New Year Dance, a spring ball, monthly social evenings, a bus tour of the Border Country and a golf outing. A. M. FROOD, Secretary.

748: OUPLAYMUIR BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The Annual Supper was held in The Inn, Uplaw­ moor on 23rd January with the toast the "Immortal Memory" proposed by Rev. Frank Gardner, M.A., Barrhead, Bourock Parish Church. Over sixty members and friends were present at the supper which was the usual success. Other events: Two competitions are held each year. One a school compe­ tition with prize money of £12 and secondly a competition for all children in the village under 14 years of age. This year the children were asked to make up a book of poems by Burns-their own choice.· Fifteen entries were received. J. A. M. INGLIS, Secretary.

759: SUNDERLAND AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY At the 25th St. Andrew's Dinner and Ball the principal speaker, the Rev. J. Cameron Grant of Edinburgh, in proposing the toast "St. Andrew and Scotland" recalled that six years before he had the honour of proposing the "Immortal Memory" at the Sunderland Burns Club Anniversary Dinner when Mr. Lawrie Nicol, President of the Society had been President of the Burns Club. Three very enjoyable social evenings were held during the season. MOLLIE M. NICOL, Secretary.

768: AUCHTERDERRAN JOLLY BEGGARS Anniversary Dinner Report: The 65th Annual Burns Supper was held in No. 1 Gothenburg, Bowhill, on 24th January, guests including representatives from Cardenden Old Folk's Club and from the Bowhill People's Burns Club. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Councillor Walter Lindsay, J.P. Other events: The traditional Hallowe'en Supper was held on lst November and "Pie and Pint" social evenings at regular intervals throughout the year. Mr. James Penman, who resigned as secretary after 16 years, received a pre­ sentation from the president, Mr. W. Robertson, on behalf of the club at a social held in April. JOHN COMBE, Secretary.

772: PRESTWICK BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 26th January, in Queen's Hotel, Prestwick, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Cronie Roy Hunter, President. Other events: Cricket and indoor bowling matches were staged against 152 Prestwick Cricket Club, and the summer outing took members to the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock. A St. Andrew's Dance was held, and a number of excellent speakers during the season included Mr. D. McConnell, Prestwick, who described a .visit to a replica of Burns's Cottage in Atlanta, Georgia.

791 : SWINDON AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN, SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: The Mayor and Mayoress of Thamesdown were the official guests and were piped in with our President, Mr. R. Donald Bayne and Mrs. Bayne who welcomed them and over 170 members and guests to the dinner in Wiltshire Hotel, Swindon. Mr. Jimmy McGinn also piped in the Haggis which was addressed by Mr. George Cameron. After the traditional toasts dancing and singing continued till the sma' oors. Other events: St. Andrew's celebrations were attended by 85 members and guests who enjoyed an evening meal and dancing. Hallowe'en and Christmas parties were also held. R. D. BAYNE, President.

796: GATESHEAD AND DISTRICT ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: Gateshead members joined Sunderland Burns Club for the Anniversary Dinner. Other events: The Secretary and a member of committee attended the Moscow Dinner and greetings from the Sunderland Club were read there. The annual outing was to Drumlanrig Castle, residence of the Duke of Buccleuch. H. s. JAMIESON, Secretary.

803: BOWHILL PEOPLE'S BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Held 'on Saturday, 31st January, in No. 1 Gothenburg, Bowhill, the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Alex Cook, secretary of the Coalsnaughton Burns Club. Other events: Mr. Jas. Gillies, club president, gave two lectures on Burns and a party from the club took part in a number of Burns Suppers and concerts in the Kirkcaldy and Cardenden areas. The club held very popular Burns com­ petitions for three local schools and gave books to school prize winners. Bums Federation Certificates were also donated. JAMES EWAN, Secretary.

808: PONTEFRACT AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. Wallace, past president of Otley and District Caledonian Society, who also sang a number of Burns's songs. Other events: In October Mr. J. E. Inglis, President of the Bums Federation, was present at the President's evening. Special evenings were St. Andrew's Evenings and Scottish" Evening and Quiz. The pipe band was again very active. VALERIE RICHMOND, Secretary. 153 810: THIRTY-SEVEN BURNS CLUB, SHOTTS Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January Mr. John Cunningham, B.Sc., proposed the "Immortal Memory". The collection of £35 was taken on behalf of the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs towards a future National Conference. Present at all functions of the Club have been Pipe Major T. McAllister and members of Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. Other events: A Burns night for Our Lasses was held for the first time in March. This is to become an annual event .. The oration was given by Kae Pender, Welwyn Garden City, and a humorous toast to the "Laddies" was proposed by Grace Leggatt, Edinburgh.

811: LOGANGATE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 30th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Sergeant John McCulloch of Strathclyde Police. Other events: Our season commenced in September when members and friends were entertained by the Ayr and Prestwick Strathspey and Reel Society. The summer outing was a tour of the Ayrshire Coast. During the outing Mr. David Torrance was presented with the Past President's badge. WALTER HALL, Secretary.

813: TRANENT "25" BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. M. Mcintyre Hood, treasurer E.D.B.C.A. Other events: St. Andrew's Night Dinner was held on 27th November, speaker Mr. David Allan, B.Sc., Rector of Preston Lodge High School. Thirteen pupils were presented with Burns books in the Burns Song and Verse Compe­ tition. Reconstruction work is proceeding on Grants Braes following damage by vandals. R. WATT, Secretary.

825: CLARINDA LADIES BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. William Dalison proposed the "Immortal Memory" at the dinner held in the Royal British Hotel on 24th January. Other events: The summer outing was to Chester and a visit was made to the Cairn at Dollar by kind invitation of Dollar Burns Club. Miss Aytoun, M.B.E., president of Clarinda Ladies Burns Club is the first lady to be made an honorary member of the Dollar Burns Club. CHRISTINE WADE, Secretary.

839: COLDSTREAM BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. J. F. T. Thomson, M.B.E., M.A., Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Burns Federation. "The Lasses" was proposed by Mr. Andrew Gray. Other events: Ladies' Night was held on 13th February when "Tribute to Burns" was given by Mrs. Rena Hogg of Berwick St. Andrew's Club. "The 154 Lasses" was proposed by Mr. Jack Huttle, Berwick St. Andrew's Club, and replied to by Mrs. Jessie Goodall, past President of Durham Caledonian Club. Also on the toast list as always, Mr. Fred Belford, M.A., F.E.I.S. Another great night of song and verse. WM. JACKSON, Secretary.

842: "YE BONNIE DOON" BURNS CLUB (CANADA) Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held on 24th January when weather conditions prevented many from attending. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John Wilson. Other events: The annual picnic was to Featherstone and in April the Burns Club and the St. Andrew's Society entertained the elderly from Macassa Lodge. This was voted a great success. (Mrs.) J. CASSIDY, Secretary.

845: TAM O' SHANTER BURNS CLUB (COVENTRY) Anniversary Dinner Report: On 22nd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. E. Bell. On 5th February the "Jolly Beggars" section of the Club held their dinner when the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. D. Anderson. Other events: Various concerts were held during the year when artistes from Scotland appeared. The Jean Armour Ladies Section donated a stereo­ radiogram to a corporation-run-home in Coventry. Three hundred children attended the annual Easter party. JAMES MCCAW, Secretary.

851: AUCKLAND BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: Our Anniversary Dinner was held on 3lst January with the best attendance for many years. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. W. P. Temple and the toast to the Lasses by Rev. Dr. A. M. L. MacFarlan. Reply was by Thelma Halcrow. Other events: A wreath was laid on the statue of Robert Burns in the Auckland Domain by President Frank Hogsden. The presence of a pipe band attracted a large crowd and in brilliant sunshine members enjoyed a picnic nearby. St. Andrew's Night was celebrated at our November meeting and four other social evenings were held. On 30th November members attended a church service in St. Andrew's Church, conducted by our patron, Rev. John A. Cumming, B.D. (Edin). GEO. A. PEDDISON, Secretary.

854: NORTH EAST MIDLANDS ASSOCIATION OF SCOTTISH SOCIETIES Anniversary Dinner Report: The member societies held individual Burns Suppers. Other events: A Scottish concert with artistes from member societies enter­ taining was held when Mr. Torn English, President N.E.M.A.S.S., welcomed 155 the President of Burns Federation, Mr. Jim Inglis, and Mrs. Inglis. This was a very successful afternoon. The annual verse-speaking competition for The Binnie Rose Bowl was won by Miss Jane Creighton, Retford Caledonian Society. A children's day and garden fete was held at Welbeck Estate. K. F. ENGLISH, Secretary.

862: MARKET RASEN SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Eric A. Cass, our President. Other events: A donation of £50 was made to the Jean Armour Burns Houses and one of £34 to the Stonecroft Cheshire Home. JOHN A. BELL, Secretary.

864: BURNIE BURNS CLUB, TASMANIA Anniversary Dinner Report: The Burnie Burns Club, the only one in Tasmania, welcomed 100 people to its Burns Supper on 24th January. The President, Mrs. Constance Cameron, gave the "Immortal Memory" and toast­ master was Mr. Jim Cameron. Mr. W. T. Young, patron of the Club, proposed the toast to the "Twa Lands" emphasising the bond between Scots in Australia and those in Scotland. The annual competition on the works of Burns was held and t~e prize was presented in memory of Mr. Duncan Donaldson, founder President of the Club. At the dinner the President was pleased to wel­ come two visitors from Scotland who were holidaying in Tasmania and one from Edmonton, Canada. Greetings were read from Canterbury Burns Club, New Zealand. Other events: Over the past months the Club have been indebted for litera­ ture from Mr. and Mrs. Alex Bruce from Edinburgh who have kept in contact with the Club since their visit to Australia. In March the Club en masse attended the Military Tattoo in Hobart, the first time it has been held in Tasmania. Members also attended the Ross Highland Games, an annual event looked forward to by all Scots in Tasmania. (Mrs.) E. N. TuNBRIDGE, Secretary.

870: MASSACHUSSETS SCOTTISH BURNS ASSOCIATION Anniversary Dinner Report: On 17th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Robert R. Matson, Secretary of the Association and the toast to the "Lasses" was proposed by Past President Mr. Peter Stewart. The address to the Haggis was delivered by Mr. David Munn. Other events: On 18th January "a cauld, cauld day" members of the Associ­ ation and their friends assembled at the Burns Statue in Winthrop Square, Boston, and to the music of "Scotland the Brave" supplied by Clan McGregor Pipe Band a wreath was placed on the statue by Mr. Robert R. Matson. ROBERT R. MATSON, Secretary. 156 878: WORKSOP BURNS AND CALEDONIAN CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Callum I. Haggart, past President of Mansfield Caledonian Society. Distinguished guests, including the Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, Councillor W. G. Cooper, J.P., and the Town Mayor, Councillor Dennis Wells and their ladies. Other events: President's Reception for Dauvit and Annie Miller; Worksop Pipe Band Funds Dance, when 480 people welcomed the Pontefract and District Pipe Band who came to assist in raising funds for Worksop's own band. Our thanks also to the children of the Carlton-in-Lindrick Daffodils and Blackjacks Jazz Band. At the St. Andrew's Dance a capacity crowd attended to see Work­ sop's own Pipe Band make their first public appearance resplendent in their new uniforms. Pipe Major Ron Dunne and his men received a terrific reception. There were eight functions during the year. T. H. ENGLISH, • Secretary.

881 : RUGELEY AND DISTRICT BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed on 24th January by Councillor J. Baillie. Other events: These included a Hallowe'en party and a St. Andrew's Night function. On 5th June at a social evening books of Burns 's poems were presented to three founder members, Mr. R. Cochrane, Mrs. P. Cochrane and Mr. W. Donaldson. A coach party of members visited the West Yorkshire Highland Games and a party visited Edinburgh at Hogmanay. P. T. ARKELL, Secretary.

887: GAINSBOROUGH AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: This was held on 23rd January and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mrs. Eva E. Reid, a past President of the Society, and Hon. Secretary of the Clumber Burns Club. Her theme was "Burns a man of Destiny". Other events: These included the President's Reception, St. Andrew's Day service at the John Robinson Memorial United Reform Church and the annual ceilidh which was the usual success and was supported by the Lincoln Scottish Association and members of North Lindsey Scots Society. A party of members attended the annual Dinner of the Scottish Presidents Association and provided a large part of the entertainment. LEW W. REID, Secretary.

889: STRATHCLYDE "BONNIE JEAN" BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On the 16th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by our President Mr. Andrew Rae. Other events: Five schools took part in our schools competitions on lst March. All competitors received a Burns Federation Certificate and first and second in each section received a prize. On our St. Andrew's Night the toast "Caledonia and St. Andrew" was proposed by our Treasurer Mr. J. Summers. Our annual outing was to Edinburgh. IAN HUTCHISON, Secretary. 157 890: WOLLONGONG BURNS SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: On 17th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. A. L. Cumming, Canberra. The company was honoured by the presence of Mr. Dan Mclldowie, our representative on the Burns Federation. Other events: Social evenings were held every second month. LACHLAN M. CHJRNSIDE, Secretary.

893: THE NORTH BAY BURNS CLUB, ONTARIO Anniversary Dinner Report: At the 9th Annual Dinner held on 24th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John Fulton, the haggis bearer was Mr. Ron Stirling and the whisky carrier Mr. Ian Cameron. Mr. Jim Hutch­ inson proposed the "Lasses". Other events: A buffet dinner and dance was held on 28th November to mark St. Andrew's Day and in July a picnic lunch was held to Links Beach with sports organised by the President. THELMA RUTH STIRLING, Secretary.

894: BEVERLEY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: The Dinner and Dance was held on 23rd January and Mr. Archie Jeffers gave the "Immortal Memory". Mrs. Avis Smedley read out the Queen's telegram and greeting cards. Other events: A Caledonian Ball was held on 2lst November and a Buffet Dance on 19th March. Avis A. SMEDLEY, on behalf of Secretary.

895: WESTER TON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Members and friends attended the Anniversary Supper on 16th January in Queens Hotel, Bridge of Allan. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. D. McRennie, Auchterarder and "The Lasses" by Rev. G. S. Sharp, Forteviot. This was one of the best suppers we have held. Other events: Eighty-six members and friends enjoyed the St. Andrew's Night in Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan. The bus outing, meal and ceilidh was attended by fifty members and friends at Inversnaid Hotel in May. I. HEGGIE, Secretary.

897: GLENBERVIE BURNS MEMORIALS ASSOCIATION The Association continues with its important task of looking after Burns memorials and relics in the North East. An anniversary service was organised at the grave of "Thrummy Cap" (John Burness) in Aberdeen in January. The Association hopes to be soon in possession of a valued relic, a pane of glass with the Poet's initials that originally graced a hotel in Laurencekirk. Its owner and donor is now resident in Canada but came from the Mearns. R. H. WATSON, Secretary. 158 900: IRVINE VALLEY BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner report: On the 6th February the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Robert McCall, Kilmarnock. Other events: Monthly meetings were held from September to May. The annual outing visited Glasgow where we were met by members of Glasgow Masonic Burns Club who kindly acted as guides. The Club was represented at the Leglen Wood service in July. (Mrs.) HELEN P.R. McMILLAN, Secretary.

901 : CRAMLINGTON BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The dinner was held in the Dudley and District Club on 23rd January. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Dr. Michael Fry and Mr. E. J. Milne proposed the "Lasses". Other events: These included a social evening in June, Hallowe'en dance and a St. Andrew's Night Dance. The annua~ outing in September was to Ayr and the Burns country. Secretary.

902: NEWMARKET BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Mr. Robert Ramsay of Camelon gave the "Immortal Memory" at the Commemoration Dinner held in the Wellington Bar, Falkirk, on 27th January. W. MUIRHEAD, President.

907: A' THE AIRTS BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: This enjoyable evening was held on 6th February and the principal speaker was Mr. Donald McKay. Readings were by Mr. David Fallow and President Robert Scott. Other events: Guest speakers to the Club during the year were Mr. Sam Gaw and Mr. John Thomson, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer to the Federation, who presented a slide show on the portraits of Burns. Four schools competed in the very successful schools competition and Burns certificates were presented to the winners. The Club supplied guides on the local school outing to the Burns country. A fine display in the school hall resulted from the children being invited by their headmaster to do an essay or painting on any feature of the outing. RICHARD GIBB, Secretary.

908: "BRITHERS BE" BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. T. Jay at the successful Burns Supper on 6th February. Other events: Forty-four members attended the annual outing to Burns Statue and Leglen Woods, and ten members attended the Burns Supper in Moscow, three for the second time. The Annual Anniversary Dinner was held in October. H. MCFARLANE, Secretary. 159 /

911 : BORESTONE BOWLING BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Tom Fergus of the Denny Cross Bums Club. The new secretary is J. Millar, Coxithill Road, St. Ninians, Stirling. ALEX IRVINE, President.

914: IPSWICH AND WEST MORETON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY AND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 24th January a company of fifty members and friends heard Mr. Jim Johnstone of Brisbane propose the "Immortal Memory" and also address the Haggis. Other events: Three supper dances were well attended and Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band and Ipswich Scottish Country Dancers gave a Scottish flavour to the nights. (Mrs.) MARGARET CowE (late of Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen, and Hilton School), Secretary.

918: DOVER AND EAST KENT SCOTTISH SOCIETY Anniversary Dinner Report: A record attendance of 350 members and friends were welcomed by the President, Mr: John Mackenzie. The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. Harry Hutchison. Other events: These included a midsummer meeting, sherry party, Hallowe'en party, St. Andrew's Night Dinner Dance and we were hosts to the Kent Association of Scottish Societies on the occasion of their annual walk along the White Cliffs of Dover, culminating with a tea party at St. Margaret's. (Mrs.) DOROTHY MACFARLANE, Secretary.

919: ORANGE AND DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION AND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Guests from Sydney and Bathurst were among the 130 who attended the Burns Nicht on 6th February in Orange. The Chief, Mr. M. Ewens, presented Toastmaster R. J. Davidson and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. McLeod of Sydney. The "Land of Our Adop­ tion" was proposed by Mr. Alex Johnson, Sydney, and "Tae Scotland" by his worship the Mayor, Mr. R. Thomas. Other events: Four hundred attended our Tartan Ball in September including some from Sydney (180 miles away), Bathurst and Dubbo. Also highly success­ ful were a Clan Night in· October and :f:Iighland Games in September which many reckoned to be the best in New South Wales, competitors coming from seven hundred miles away. At the 14th Annual Meeting in April presentations were made to Mr. N. C. Maybin and Mr. R. J. Davidson for outstanding services to the Club. R. J. DAVIDSON, Assistant Secretary.

921: NORTHERN SCOTTISH COUNTIES ASSOCIATION OF BURNS CLUBS Highly satisfactory reports were submitted at the annual general meeting. It was decided unanimously that the retiring President, Bailie Edward Duncan, J.P., of Peterhead, be appointed the Association's first Hon. President in 160 recognition of his devoted service over the years. The new President is Mr. W.R. Murray, the current president of the Stonehaven Fatherland Club and Vice­ President Mr. Charles C. Easton, Past President, Burns Federation. ETHEL HALL, Secretary. 922: CLUMBER BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. George Burnett, past president of Rotherham and District Scottish Association and Honorary President of the Burns Federation. Other events: Other social events are held at the homes of members. At these members take it in turn to give a talk and lead a discussion on the topic chosen. EVA E. REID, Secretary. 926: THE ROSAMOND BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 16th January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Rev. C. R. Vincent, Kirtlebridge. Other events: Dr. John Hall of Longtown gave the toast "St. Andrew and Scotland" at the St. Andrew's Dinner on 28th November. Monthly meetings were well attended and very successful was a coach trip to Alloway, Tarbolton and Mauchline. ' JOHN B. MAXWELL, Secretary. 928 : LEEDS SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS SOCIETY At "An evening with Burns" speaker was Mr. J. Ramsay. Several functions were organised throughout the year and one speaker gave a talk on bagpipes. Members participated in Yorkshire District Burns Federation events and attended Otley and District Caledonian Society Social Evenings. A. I. FARQUHARSON, Secretary. 929: BATHGATE "JOLLY BEGGARS" BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Held in Bathgate on 22nd January with Club President Mr. John Mackay in the Chair. Guest speaker was Mr. Alistair Mackie. Guests from the Edinburgh Association were Mr. and Mrs. Mcintyre Hood and Mr. McGraith. Other events: Bus trips were held to Dumfries and Blair Atholl. An essay competition on Burns was held in all primary VII classes in Bathgate schools with a total of 300 entries, Two winners in 'each ·class received certificates and two overall winners received book tokens and certificates. This was judged a complete success and will be repeated annually. J. WHYTE, Secretary. 933: BUSBIEHILL BURNS CLUB On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Club President, Mr. Felix Todd and Club members proposed the other toasts and provided the music. Other events: The Club supplied artistes for five Burns suppers. Club outing 161 was to Alloway, Tarbolton and Mauchline. Guest speaker at the St. Andrew's Night celebration was Mrs. Lambie, wife of the local M.P. HUGH W. ROBERTS, Secretary.

935: TORBREX INN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: Our inaugural Anniversary Dinner took place in Torbrex Inn in February. While we are a very new Burns Club we thought we had a very successful evening and hope to move on to better things. JAMES KINNEAR, Secretary.

936: IRVINE LASSES BURNS CLUB A note about the activities of the Club appears in this issue under the title "Irvine Lasses". '

938: MILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: The first annual dinner was attended by 131 and the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. George Anderson, publicity officer of the Burns Federation. Mr. Archie McArthur proposed the "Lasses". Other events: Mrs. Sheila Gibson was speaker at the St. Andrews' Night celebration on 2lst November, and in December Mr. Archie McArthur gave an illustrated lecture on Old Glasgow. The Club was represented at the wreath­ laying ceremony on 24th January at Burns Statue, George Square, Glasgow. The Lord Provost afterwards entertained the gathering in the City Chambers. Members of the Club along with those from Glasgow Masonic Burns Club and Torrance Burns Club attended a special service conducted by Rev. John M. Stewart at Colston Milton Parish Church on lst February. JOHN CAMPBELL, Sec_retary.

939: GRIFFIN BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: 180 members and guests attended the first Anniversary Dinner on llth February. Principal guest and proposer of the "Immortal Memory" was Mr. Andrew Charters 'of Ayr. Kilbirnie Rosebery turned out in force to fill out our programme with song and verse and we are most grateful for all their help and advice during the formation of Griffin. Other events: These included ·a. Bothy Nicht, a talk and discussion with Abe Train and an evening with John Cairney in "The Robert Burns Story" when he got a standing ovation from the 176 members and guests present. WM.ADAIR, Secretary.

942: EASTHOUSES MINERS WELFARE BURNS CLUB Anniversary Dinner Report: On 23rd January the "Immortal Memory" was proposed by Mr. John Smith, Coalsnaughton Club. HUGH SMITH, Secretary. 162 The FAMOUS GROUSE SCOTCH WHISKY

THE ~~Q~S

fJSEST SCOTCH WHIS(Y 1XI SCOTCH WHISKIES BlENDfD k oonuoJ .Matthew Gloa9 &Son Ltd. Perth.Scotland IS'A~llSHED IN 1800 AT THE SAME A[)ORfSS

70"PRDOf·261\

Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd., Perth, Scotland. Established 1800.

163 LIST OF BURNS CLUBS AND SCOTTISH SOCIETIES ON THE ROLL OF THE BURNS FEDERATION (Corrected to 30th September, 1976) Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. bers President Secretary 0 Kilmarnock Burns Club 1808 1885 84 David B. Brown Alasdair M. Gordon, 39 Port­ land Street, Kilmarnock KAl lJP 1 The Burns Club of 1868 1885 209 Jamie F. George Jamie F. George, 45 Holland London Park, London Wl 1 3RP 2 Alexandria Burns Club 1884 1885 150 Robert Armstrong John Barton, Cedar Cottage, 126 Middleton Street, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire G83 ODQ 4 Callander Burns Club 1877 1885 43 A. R. Thompson D. M. Elliott, 58 Glen Gdns., Callander, Perthshire 5 Ercildoune Burns Club 1885 1963 60 James Irvine Mrs. J. Irvine, 25 Queensway, Earlston, Berwickshire TD4 6EU 7 Thistle Burns Club 1882 1885 50 James McAulay Robert S. Millar, 12 Avon Avenue, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 2PS 9 Royalty Burns Club 1882 1886 218 Oswald Garry Rowland C. Hannah, 147 Prosser Broomhill Drive, Glasgow Gll 7ND 10 Dumbarton Burns Club 1859 1886 122 W. Caldwell Thomas Wilson, 111 Brucehill Road, Dumbarton G82 4ER 11 Chesterfield and District 1886 1886 149 John Clark Trevor Chappell, 26 Ashgate Caledonian Assoc. Avenue, Chesterfield, Derby­ shire S40 lJB 14 Dundee Burns Club 1860 1886 50 F. Curran G. Curran, c/o Dundee Burns Club, 37 Union St., Dundee 15 Belfast Burns Assoc. 1886 1886 76 Mrs. Jean Allan Miss May White, 20a Cyprus Park, Belfast BT5 6EA 17 Nottingham Scottish 1871 1886 250 G. A. R. Calder, Capt. D. Shore, 21 Farm Rd., Association B.Sc., A.R.I.C. Chilwell, Beeston, Notting­ ham NG9 5BZ 20 Airdrie Burns Club 1883 1885 103 Chiefinsp. Jas. D. Matthew P. Kidd, 'Coorie McCulloch Doan,' Queen Victoria St., Airdrie ML6 ODL 21 Greenock Burns Club 1801 1886 170 Robert S. Duncan McSwein (Snr.), Macfarlane O.B.E., J.P., 3 Welbeck St., Greenock PA16 7RW 22 Edinburgh Burns Club 1848 1886 38 H.J. Hayhoe Miss Helen M. Muir, 10 . Blinkbonny Rd., Edinburgh EH43HX 33 Glasgow Haggis Club 1872 1886 100 Robert A. David Watson, C.A., 147 Bath Macdonald Street, Glasgow G2 4SN 35 Dairy (Ayrshire) Burns 1825 1887 . 90 James Nisbet W. Walker, 10 Braehead, Club Dairy, Ayrshire KA24 5EX 36 Rosebery Burns Club 1885 1887 58 Peter Hill Mrs. Nan W. McKenzie, 'Cruhope,' 49 St. Kenneth Drive, Glasgow G51 4QF 37 Dollar Burns Club 1887 1887 100 Emm Breingan Alex. B. Mciver, Harviestoun Lodge, Dollar FK14 7PY 164 "Leeze me on thee John Barleycorn, Thou king o'grain!"

165 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 40 Aberdeen Burns Club 1872 1889- 153 John Fraser Douglas W. Cruickshank, 7 Baillieswells Dr., Aberdeen AB19AT 42 Strathearn Burns Club 1889 1950 20 Alan Clark Mrs. G. B. Lowe, Konda, Perth Road, Crieff, Perth- shire PH7 45 Cumnock Burns Club 1887 1891 120 Alistair Mackie K. H. McCall, 51 Richmond Terr., Cumnock KA18 lDN 48 Paisley Burns Club 1805 1891 36 James Graham R. Y. Corbett, 36 Riccartsbar Avenue, Paisley PA2 6BG 49 Bridgeton Burns Club 1870 1891 900 Stuart M. Wallace R. J. Wilson, 121 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 2SD 50 Stirling Burns Club 1886 1892 110 Iain MacGregor Henry Robb, LL.B., 3 Pitt Terrace, Stirling 55 Derby Scottish Assoc. 1890 1893 383 John D. Mac- Robert Bryce, 14 Clifton Rd., and Burns Club Farlane Allestree, Derby DE3 2PH 56 Muirkirk Lapraik Burns 1893 1971 19 Wm. Livingstone Jos. Mackin, 42 Logan Ave., Club Cumnock, Ayrshire KA18 3HB 59 Gourock Jolly Beggars 1893 1893 90 Leslie R. Haynes Robert Smith, 105KirnDrive, Burns Club Gourock PA19 lEG 62 Cupar Burns Club 1884 1893 130 Provost And. M. Robert W. McLeod, 'Dun- Scott, M.B.E. vegan,' Ashlar Park, Cupar, Fife KA15 5AQ 68 Sandyford (Glasgow) 1893 1894 550 Harold W. Aitken' J. S. Steel, 139 St. Vincent St., Burns Club Glasgow G2 5JJ

69 Dunedin Burns Club, 1861 1894 402 H.J. Horrell D. McDonald 181 Shetland inc. St., Dunedin', New Zealand 71 Carlisle Burns Club 1889 1895 18 T. T. Ferguson Dr. T. T. Ferguson, The Bur- roughs, Papcastle, Cocker­ mouth 72 Partick Burns Club 1885 1895 85 James H. Graham Russell A. Sharp, 270Dum­ barton Road, Partick, Glas­ gow Gll 6TX 74 Nat. Burns Memorial 1888 1895 Sir Claude Hagart Alastair J. Campbell, c/o Mc- and Cottage Homes, Alexander of Kenzie, Roberton & Co., 53 Mauchline Ballochmyle, Bt. Bothwell Street, Glasgow G2 6TE 82 Arbroath Burns Club 1888 1896 108 David Chapel, Harry C. Nicoll, 11 Gallow­ M.B.E. den Road, Arbroath, Angus DDll 3HL 85 Dunfermline United 1812 1896 104 The Rt. Hon. the J. Torrie, 14 Park Avenue, Burns Club Earl of Elgin and Dunfermline KY12 7HX Kincardine, D.L., J.P., M.A. 89 Sunderland Burns Club 1897 1897 78 M. Mair R. G. Wilson, 9 Lingdale Ave., Sunderland SR6 8AZ 95 Bolton Burns Club 1881 1897 162 Mrs. H. Breen Mrs. E. Fish, 129 Bradford Street, Bolton, Lanes. 166 Free from Bank ofScotland Centuries ofhistory... captured in colour! The Bank of Scotland has produced an intriguing 17 minute 16mm film - "A BANK FOR SCOTLAND"-which traces the progress of Scotland's first Bank from its foundation in 1695 right up to the present day. - Educationalists have welcomed it, now YOU can enjoy it. Combine it with two other Bank of Scotland films, "MONEY TO BURN"-an award-winning 7 minute documentary which shows £750, OOO going up in smoke and "MONEYWISE"-an 11 minute film-which takes a light-hearted look at some of the Bank of Scotland's many personal services. These films can be teamed with others of general interest to give a full evenings entertainment. Book now by completing the form below and sending it to: •!!IRl!!!!p!!~--· W :ank of Scotland. The Mound, Edinburgh, EH11YZ.. I NAME I ORGANISATION I I ADDRESS~~~~~~~~~~~~ I DATE OF SCREENING I (give alternatives) ~-----~-rl •>:(•BAIK OF SGOTLAID 167 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. bers President Secretary 96 Jedburgh 1897 1897 •. SQ. Richard Douglas John Ker Paton, 2 Meadow Street, Jedburgh, Rox. TD8 6HE 112 Dumfries Burns Howff 1889 1899 90 Edward J. Harvey D. Smith, 22 Cargenbridge, Club Troqueer, Dumfries DG2 8LW 116 Greenloaning Burns 1889 1900 70 Peter I. Mcintosh, Norman Ure, 6 Drummond Club J.P. Rise, Dunblane, Perthshire

120 Bristol Calcdonian Soc .. 1820 1900 280 T. Johnstone Mrs. I. Robertson, Hygrove, 99 London Road, Bridge­ gate, Nr. Warmley, Bristol 124 The Ninety Burns Club 1890 1902 60 D. G. Blyth J. C. McVittie, W.S., 4 North Charlotte St., Edinburgh EH24HT 126 Falkirk Burns Club 1866 1902 200 John Liddell, C. Inglis McAulay, Kirkshiels F.C.I.S. Polmont, Stirlingshire 133 Newarthill Burns Club 1903 1904 30 R. Paton Thomas Boslem, 82 Mosshall St., Newarthill, Motherwell 149 Elgin Burns <;:lub 1901 1905 100 William Wittet, Wm. D. G. Chalmers, Royal C.B.E., 'J.P. Bank Bdgs., Elgin, Moray IV30 IDY 152 The Hamilton Burns 1877 1906 209 John S. Mont- Lisle Pattison, T.D., F,C.I.S., Club gomerie Lisdor, Glasford Rd., Strath­ aven, Lanarks. MLlO 6LL 158 Darlington Burns Assoc. 1906 1906 81 Mrs. W. A. Hogg Mrs. L. E. Gowan, 23 Hewit­ son Road, Darlington DLl 4NU 167 Birmingham and Mid- 1888 1924 280 W. F. Pringle Mrs. Frances A. D. Highway, land Scottish Society High Ash Farm, Meriden, Nr. Coventry, Warwickshire CV77TZ 169 Glasgow and District 1907 1908 15 Peter Shaw Scott I. Galt, 8 Buchanan St.• Burns Association Clubs Glasgow Gl 3LL

173 Irvine Burns Club 1826 1908 450 Provost Alexander Andrew Hood, 'Chamber- A. Rubie houses,' Irvine KA12 OJQ 179 Dailly Jolly Beggars 1909 1909 9 Dr. R. Mcinroy John Dorward, 17 Linfern Club Rd., Dailly KA26 9SW 187 Galashiels Burns Club 1908 1909 . J30 - R. Scott Forsyth D. Wilkinson, 27 Kenilworth Ave., Galashiels TDl 2DD 192 Ayrshire Association of 1908 1910 28 Allan Stoddart Robert Kirk, Parkstone, Burns Clubs Clubs Ploughlands Road, Dun­ donald KA2 9BY 197 Winnipeg Burns Club 1907 1911 46 John D. Barbour F. R. Evans, 116-81 Roslyn Rd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada·R3L OG3 198 Gorebridge Burns Club 1906 1911 250 Archd. Lochrie A. Law, 41 Newhunterfield, Gorebridge, Midlothian EH23 4BD 199 Newbattle and District 1910 1911 60 J. Telford David Smith, 77 Sixth Street, Burns Club Newtongrange, Midlothian 168 Make your film show complete with Clydesdale Bank films. Clubs, Guilds, Schools and other organisations may have these 30 minute 16mm colour productions on free loan.

'Pride of Place' a film of Glasgow and the West of Scotland includes sequences shot at Alloway Burns Club and at Burns Statue Square, Ayr. 'More by Design' a documentary on how design affects our everyday environment. 'A Land of Plenty' 1'llustrating the history and the future of the North East of Scotland. 'A Matter of Degree' the story of a young couple starting out in life. Plus 'A Way of Life for Us' the 53 minute official Centenary film of the Scottish Football Association. The Manager of any Branch of the Clydesdale Bank will be happy to make suitable arrangements. Clydesdale Bank Ltd

Head Office 30 St. Vincent Place Glasgow G1 2HL Telephone 041-248 7070 Branches throughout Scotland

169 Mem­ No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 209 Greenock St. John's 1909 1909 50 Robert Miller Robert Miller, F.S.A.Scot., 11 Burns Club Murdieston Street, Greenock PA15 4DT . 212 Portobello Burns Club 1892 1913 50 J. Stanley Cavaye, Robert Mackay, M.A., 'Quar- J.P. dene,' 8 Bryce Ave., Edin­ burgh EH7 6TX 217 Eskdale Burns Club 1886 1913 150 Arthur N. Elliot Mrs.SheenaEIIiot,5Academy Place, Langholm, Dumfries­ shire DG13 OBA 220 Burns Club of St. Louis 1905 1913 37 J. Gordon Forsyth, Stephen H. Kohlbry, P.O. Box Jr. 7039, St. Louis, Missouri 63177, U.S.A. 226 Dumfries Burns Club 1820 1913 96 Kenneth E. John A. C. McFadden, 37 Kennedy George Street, Dumfries DGl lEA 236 Whitehaven Burns Club 1914 1914 60 James Quin J. Quin, 15 Carlton Drive, Fairfield, Whitehaven, Cumbria CA28 237 Uddingston Masonic 1914 1914 30 · Fred. E. Burton J. Polson, 4 Watson Street, Burns Club Uddingston, Glasgow G71 7JU 238 Burns Club of Atlanta 1896 1914 70 G. A. Findlay J. Frank Clark, 6796 Black Twig Ct., Riverdale, Georgia 30274, U.S.A. 239 Hawick Burns Club 1878 1914 904 Martin Deal J. Herbert, Hawick Burns Club, Albert Bridge, Hawick, Roxburghshire 242 Montrose Burns Club 1908 1915 120 R. M. Livingston James F. Smeaton, 5 Whin­ field Way, Montrose, Angus 252 Alloway Burns Club 1908 1918 165 James Glass, M.A. George A. Bryan, T.Eng.(CEI), A.M.I.T.E., 20 Hawkshill Avenue, Ayr KA8 9JP 263 Glasgow Masonic 1919 1919 165 Chas. W. McCall Frank Beaumont, 20 Borth­ Burns Club wick Street, Glasgow G32 274 Troon Burns Club 1920 1920 120 Geo. McCulloch Thos. McGrath, 24 Fullarton Drive, Troon, Ayrshire KAlO 6PJ 275 Ayr Burns Club 1886 1920 169 Allan Stoddart Robert Cuthbertson, Bywell, 100 Ayr Road, Prestwick KA91RR 282 The Burns Bowling 1898 1920 17 John C. McNicol John Melville, 24 Woodlands Assoc. Clubs Rd., Glasgow G3 6UR 284 Philadelphia North­ 1896 1921 22 John McGiinchey Rev. John H. Leitch, S.T.D., eastern Burns Club 775 Copeland School Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, U.S.A. 293 Newcraighall Welfare 1921 1921 40 John Mallinson Robert Hendry, 18 Park View, Poosie Nansie Burns Newcraighall, Musselburgh Club EH21 8RP 296 Walsall Burns Club 1900 1922 150 G. H. Henderson W. A. Reid, 16 Harpur Road, Walsall, Staffs. 170 JEAN ARMOUR BURNS HOUSES MAUCHLINE, AYRSH IRE

Miss Black-one of the residents at Mauchline

The Glasgow and District Burns Association who manage the Jean Armour Burns Houses seek your support towards the upkeep of the ten houses on the historic farm of Mossgiel, near Mauchline. Increasing charges, especially for heating and lighting are adding to their costs and they ask you to keep this fact in mind. Please help this worthy cause by sending your donation now to: A. Neil Campbell, F .C.I.S., Hon. Treasurer, 141 C raiglea Drive, Edinburgh EHlO SPP

171 Menz- No. Name Inst. Fed. bers President Secretary 303 Victoria St. Andrew's 1S49 1922 210 Allen Houston Miss Lily Sutherland, 2315 and Caledonian Soc. Blanchard St., Victoria, B.C. VST 414, Canada 307 Edinburgh Ayrshim 1914 1922 141 Mrs. D. C. G. Henderson Laing, 50 Association Cargill, M.A. Marrionville Dr., Edinburgh EH7 6BW 310 Mauchline Bums Club 1923 1923 76 T. Kerr D. I. Lyell, M.A., 9 East Park Ave., Mauchline KA5 5BS 314 Scottish Bums Club, 1920 1923 71 M. Mcintyre Mrs. Jessie A. Bruce, 9 Victor Edinburgh Hood Park Terr., Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 SBA 320 Troy Bums Club 1903 1924 15 H. Lawson James A. MacAdam, 31 Cardinal Ave., Albany, N.Y. 1220S, U.S.A. 323 Kirkcudbright Burns 191S 1924 96 Robert Higgins Adam Gray, Jnr., lngleston, Club Borgue, Kirkcudbrightshire DG64UA 329 Newark and District 1923 1924 125 Mrs. G. M. Mrs. E. Hamilton, 'Lindis­ Cal. Soc. Mcintyre farne,' 27 MacAulay Ave., Balderton, Newark, Notts. 336 Peterhead Bums Club 1S26 1925 232 Kenneth W. Dron J.M. M. Smith, 13 Broad St., Peterhead, Aberdeenshire AB4 6JA 340 Balemo Bums Club lSSl 1965 37 Edward McCue William R. Shanks, 15 Dean- park Grove, Balerno, Edin­ burgh EH14 7EA 341 Leith Bums Club 1S26 1925 27 Wm. Brunton KennethN. W.Page,6Cassel­ bank St., Leith, Edinburgh 6 346 Oakbank Mossgiel 1923 1925 9 Mrs. Elizabeth Mrs. E. Walker, 31 Broom­ Burns Club Jamieson park View, East Calder, Mid­ lothian EH53 ODA 34S Newton Jean Armour 1924 1925 40 Mrs. M. Kennedy Mrs. S. Kean, 14 Woodland Bums Club Crescent, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire 349 The Howff Burns Club 1925 1925 40 Samuel Hannah Mrs. M. Boyce, 4 Mid ton Rd., Shortlees, Kilmarnock 350 Markinch Burns Club 1S99 1925 110 David M. Shearer David Wighton, 4 Sweetbank Drive, Markinch, Fife KY7 6RH 356 Burnbank and Dist. 1S26 1926 40 Adam Russell Charles C. Brownlie, 4 Yews Masonic Burns Club Crescent, Hamilton

360 Lochee Burns Club 1926 1926 295 A. Dempster G. Valentine, 79 Thurso Cres­ cent, Dundee, Angus DD2 4AS 363 Barrow St. Andrew's 1S7S 1926 142 William Eccles Geoffrey C. Hewitt, 6 West Society Avenue, Barrow-in-Furness LA13 9AX 365 Catrine Burns Club 1925 1926 40 Hunter Faulds Daniel F. Hannah, 30 Aird Ave., Auchinleck, Ayrshire KAIS 2JS 172 The Burns House Museum, Mauchline, rescued from demolition and completely restored through the generosity of Burns lovers all over the world, is now open for your inspection.

In addition to many relics of the Poet and his works, there is on display a collection of 'Folk objects', furniture etc., illustrating the history and industry of Mauchline and district.

Open Weekdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. or by arrangement

Admission Adults I Op Children 5p

Donations for the maintenance of this historic building will be gratefully received by the Secretary: William Bee, F.P.S., F.S.A.Scot., 5 Loudoun Street, Mauchline

173 Mem­ No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 366 Liverpool Burns Club 1924 1926 70 Keith Cleary Miss Margaret J. Brownlie, 452 Queen's Drive, West Derby, Liverpool, L4 BUA 370 Dundonald Burns Club 1963 1964 100 John Cowan Robert Kirk, Parkstone, Ploughlands Road, Dun­ donald, Ayrshire KA2 9BY 377 Kilbirnie Rosebery · 1906 1927 80 Tom Smith Wm. J. Smith, 'Brookfield,' 13 Burns Club Grahamstone Avenue, Glen­ garnock KA14 3AF 378 Edinburgh Dist. Burns 1925 1927 15 R. Campbell G. Henderson Laing, 50 Clubs Association Clubs Marionville Dr., Edinburgh EH7 6BW 387 Cambuslang Mary 1965 1965 14 Mrs. M. Rennie Mrs. M. Easton, 65 Trossachs Campbell Burns Club Road, Cathkin, Rutherglen

388 ~yle Ladies' Burns Club 1925 1927 26 Mrs. M. McPhail Mrs. H. Shaw, 4 Hunter St., Dykehead, Shotts, Lanark­ shire ML7 4EE 392 Whiffiet Burns Club 1920 1928 35 John Johnston W. C. Sproul, 65 Blair Road, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire ML51NG 393 Annan Ladies' Burns 1928 1928 100 Mrs. M. Graham Mrs. Mary Black, 18 Newing­ Club ton Rd., Annan, Dumfries­ shire 401 Brig-en' (Waverley) 1876 1928 31 Dr. W. D. Balfour R. Agnew, 'Restalrig,' 5 Grey­ Burns Club, Dumfries stone Avenue, Dumfries DGl lPE 403 Fraserburgh Burns Club 1928 1928 154 Alex. Morrison Robert Watt, 62 Broad Street, Fraserburgh AB4 5AS 405 Cal. Soc. of Sheffield 1822 1929'.' 285 Mrs. Dorothy W. Campbell Heselwood, 4 Roberts Whiteley Wood Road, Sheffield Sll 7FE 413 St. Andrew Society of 1863 1929 100 Donald J. H. Charles M. Doig, 333 Kearny San Francisco Sinclair Street, San Francisco, Cal. 94109, U.S.A. 417 Burnley and Dist. Cal. 1924 1929 100 Dr. R. J. Calvert Mrs. R. S. Greig, 'Cruachan,' Society 367 Higher Brunshaw Rd., Burnley, Lanes. BBlO 3HX 426 Sauchie Burns Club 1929 1929 100 William Snaddon David S. Robertson, 31 Craig­ bank, Sauchie, by Alloa, Clackmannanshire FKlO 3EG 430 Gourock Burns Club 1887 1929 110 Hamish Melville Daniel Ferguson, M.A., 'Rockside,' 9 Albert Road, Gourock PA15 lNH 436 Walney Jolly Beggars 1929 1930 150 Mrs. L. Nicholson Mrs. Elizabeth Doyle, 172 Ladies' Club Yarlside Road, Barrow-in­ Furness, Cumbria LA13 OEG 437 Dumfries Ladies' Burns 1930 1930 96 Mrs. E. Haining Mrs. E. Kirkland, 17 Kirk­ Club owens Street, Dumfries DGl 3DR 174 Grant Bros. (MEAT CANNERS) Ltd . RICHMOND BRIDGE, GALSTON KA4 8JU Tel: 0563 820401

P.S. Available in 3Jb. catering cans too

175 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. bers President Secretary 439 Barnsley and District 1930 1930 50 Dr. J. G. Robert- C. L. Sutherland, 'Woodleigh,' Scottish Society son Alverthorpe, Wakefield, Yorks. WF2 OAD 443 Victoria (B.C.) Burns 1922 1931 36 Mrs. F. D. Miss Yvonne Stevenson, Apt. Club Mulholland 1401, 415 Michigan Street, Victoria, Canada VSV 1RB 444 Swansea and West Wales 1921 1931 90 Neil McGregor R. M. Forbes, 5 Woodlands Caledonian Society Terrace, Swansea 446 Herefordshire Burns 1910 1931 80 J. Pollock W. A. Muir, 3 Orchard Close, Club Holmer, Hereford HR4 9QY 453 North-Eastern Burns 1927 1931 75 Elizabeth Hurst Mrs. Mary C. Christie, 4254 Club of Philadelphia Ormond St., Philadelphia, Ladies' AUJC. PA, 19124, U.S.A. 454 Rotherham and District 1924 1931 80 William Ingram John Scott, 81 Hill Top Lane, Scottish Association Rotherham, S. Yorkshire 458 Stonehaven (Fatherland) 1926 1932 100 W.R. Murray Mrs. E. Thomson, 56c High Burns Club St., Stonehaven, Kincardine- shire AB3 2JQ 461 Leicester Cal. Society 1877 1932 313 R. A. Ralston Mrs. J. M. Cutting, Glen- moray, 56 Dem Road West, Hinchley, Uics. LEIO IQB 462 Cheltenham Scot. Soc. 1930 1932 145 Roy Goodfellow Mrs. Peggy Aitkenhead, 28 Charlton Close, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8LP 469 Denny Cross Burns Club 1932 1932 30 William Hendry David Blair, 51 Westboreland Rd., Denny, Stirlingshire FK6 470 St. Giles' Burns Club 1924 1932"' 85 James Taylor George Peterkin, 24 Pansport Road, Elgin, Moray 472 Renfrewshire Assoc. of 1929 1932 11 R. Macfarlan James A. Baird, 4 Binnie St., Burns Clubs Clubs Gourock, Renfrewshire 476 Border Cities Burns 1932 1933 89 James Clanachan Ronald Shields, 831 St. Marks, Club St. Clair Beach, Ontario, Canada NSN 2H6 492 Harrow and Dist. Cal. 1928 1934 466 Mrs. Kath. A. D. Johnston, 2 Hide Road, Society Wagner Harrow, Middlesex 494 Motherwell United Ser- 1934 1934 84 Edward Morrison John Addie, 1 Forridon Ave., vices Burns Club Newarthill, Motherwell 500 New Cumnock Burns 1923 1934 180 Ian M. Hogg, W. C. G. Pearson, M.A., Club Schoolhouse, 33 Lanehead Terr., New Cumnock, Ayr- shire KAIS 4EW 501 Galt Burns Club 1907 1935 52 James Hanley William G. Pettigrew, 9b Todd Street, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada NIR IG6 503 Dunblane Burns Club 1923 1935 23 Ian Mcintosh T. M. Turnbull, The Royal Bank of Scotland Ltd., 53A High St., Dunblane FK15 OEQ 176 Established 1610

~he @lobe ~nn ...

' . .. the Globe Tavern here which for these many y ears has been my How.ff ... '

Extract from letter by Robert Burns to George Thomson, April 1796

Manager: James B. Grier

Bed and Breakfast Luncheons

56 High Street, Dumfries

177 Mem­ No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 510 I.C.I. Grangemouth 1935 1935 150 G. J. Richards G. S. Murrie, c/o I.C.I. Burns Club Grangemouth Recreation Club, Earl's Road, Grange­ mouth, Stirlingshire FK3 8XG 511 Perth (West Australia) 1935 1935 80 Mrs. Helen Baillie Mrs. J. Russell, 56 Carcoola Burns Club St., Nollamara, Perth 6061, West Australia 516 Airts Burns Club, 1936 1959 50 David Jeffries Walter M. Muir, 89 Gardiner Prestonpans Road, Prestonpans, East Lothian EH32 9QR 520 Uddingston Lochlie 1935 1936 15 Mrs. E. Gilmour Mrs. Margaret McKellar, 50 Ladies' Burns Club Douglas Street, Viewpark, Uddingston, Glasgow G71 SEA 523 Highland Soc. of New 1877 1936 143 J. Millar South Wales

530 Southern Scot. Counties 1937 1937 20 H. Cunningham Mrs. Mary Shearer, 211 Loch­ Burns Association Clubs side Rd., Lochside, Dumfries DG20EH 534 Bedlington and District 1934 1937 100 Dr. John Brown R. B. Hamilton, 1 Acorn Ave., Burns Club Bedlington, Northumber­ land, NE22 5SN 535 Plymouth and District 1927 1937 130 J. G. Clark Mrs. A. Stewart, 17 Maple Caledonian Society Grove, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 3SQ 536 Whithorn and District 1937 1937 68 Rev. Angus W. William Rae, B.L., 58 George Burns Club Morrison, B.D. Street, Whithorn, Newton Stewart 542 Newarthill White William Burns Andrew Pettigrew, 'Glengon­ Heather Burns Club nar,' Bellside, Cleland, Lanarkshire MLl 5NY 543 Abbey Craig Burns Club 1935 1938 95 A. J. Gourlay A. J. Gourlay, 'Fedra,' Kier Street, Bridge of Allan 548 ,Leeds Caledonian Soc. 1894 1938 211 Dr. Donald Mrs. E. Wells, 11 St. Mary's MacMillan Court, Leeds, 7 551 Scarborough Cal. Soc. 1934 1938 131 L. S. Robb, I.S.O. K. M. Cochrane, 17 Lawrence Grove, Scarborough Y012 5SF 553 Wolverhampton and 1937 1937 130 Dr. A. S. Neilson J. J. Johnson, Wrottesley Dist. Cal. Society Lodge Farm, Albrighton, nr. Wolverhampton WV7 - 3AP 555 Harrogate St. Andrew's 1921 1938 241 Hugh Campbell J. L. Sharpe, 7 Harcourt Rd., Society Harrogate, Yorks.HG! 5NL 556 Caledonian Society of 1883 1938 79 Mrs. Jean S. Pratt W. Crawford, 3 Ennis Cres., Doncaster Intake, Doncaster DN2 5LL

557 Ladies' Burns Club of 1937 1938 15 Mrs. W. C. Mason Mrs. W. A. Burns, 161 Bolling Atlanta, Georgia Rd., N.E. Atlanta, Georgia, 30305, U.S.A. 178 ~.((@@ A. KIRKPATRICK I ~\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\~ OF SCOTLAND LIMITED Bacon Curers: Manufacturers of Sausages, Pi·es, Cooked Meats, and Pre-packed Bacon

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179 Mem­ No. Name lnst. Fed. hers President Secretary 559 Coventry and Dist. Cal. 1911 1938 348 G. Johnstone R. Brown, 190 Lutterworth Society Rd., Nuneaton CVll 6GP

561 London (Ontario) Burns 1938 1939 60 Dr. James Connor Rob. Clements, 329 Brock St., Club London, Ontario, Canada N6K2M3 562 Castle Douglas Burns 1930 1939 80 Dr. T. M. Donald John C. Stoddart, 9 Ernespie Club Road, Castle Douglas

566 Scottish Soc. and Burns 1939 1939 175 Archd. Ferguson Miss May Dickie, Unit 1, 25 Club of Australia Lavender Cres., North Syd­ ney, N.S.W. 2060, Australia 570 The Scottish Clans 1898 1939 350 L. H. Barnes W. P. Raffan, M.Sc., F.Inst.P. Assoc. of London, Ltd. 2 Erridge Rd., Merton Park, London, S.W. I9 571 The Edmonton Burns 1921 I971 36 R. M. Allan Ian G. Cameron, 98I 7I13 St., Club Edmonton T5K 1N3 572 Chester Cal. Assoc. I884 I939 87 David C. Kameen T. S. Lea, Kirkton House, Hunter St., Chester CHI 2AS 576 Fort Matilda Burns Club 1934 I940 IOO Leslie Bacon A. B. Hawkins, 9 Denholm Street, Greenock 578 Lanarkshire Assoc. of I924 I942 23 R. B. Cleland Thos. N. Paterson, 90 Branch­ Burns Clubs Clubs alfield Dr., Wishaw, Lanark­ shire ML2 8QD 580 Cumbrae Burns Club 1896 I942 I20 John Pope Jas. C. Allan, Craigengour Millport, Isle of Cumbrae KA28 OHQ 58I Cumbernauld and Dist. I943 I943 40 John Boyle Thos. Stewart, 1 Carrick Rd., Burns Club Cumbernauld

585 Queen's Park Bowling I930 I943 175 R. B. Dunwoodie John G. Adams, 68 Curling Club Clarinda Burns Crescent, Glasgow G44 4QH Circle

592 Benwhat Burns Club 1941 1944 80 James Hill John Gray, Merrick Avenue, Dalmellington 593 Barrmill Jolly Beggar I944 I967 50 J. Jardine B. C. Beare, 3I CrummockSt., Burns Club Beith, Ayrshire KAIS 2BD

597 The Burns Society of the 1871 1944 I 60 Leslie b. Taggart S. Thos. Aitken, c/o People's City of New York National Bank and Trust Co., 237 Washington Ave., Belleville, New Jersey 07109, U.S.A. 606 CorbyStewarts&Lloyds' 1944 1945 32 W. Montgomery, M. Sullivan, 4 Blackmoor · Burns Club J.P. Avenue, Corby, Northants.

6I2 Torrance Masonic Social 1928 1945 60 Wm. Frew Fred C. Jordan, West Balgro­ and Burns Club chan Cottage, Torrance, nr. . Glasgow 180 'that greatest of benevolent institutions established in honour of Robert Burns.'-G/asgow Herald. The National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes, Mauchline, Ayrshire CreatEd for Deserving Old People-as the most fitting Memorial to Poet Burns.

;,_ I'"" I

TWENTY of these comfortable houses, built at Mauchline, in the heart of the Burns Country, are occupied by deserving old folks, carefully selected from all quarters. The Cottagers pay neither rent nor taxes, and in addition, receive an annual allowance. There are no irksome restrictions. They have their own key, their own furniture if they so desire, come and go as they please, and have their own friends calling on them as they wish. The whole aim and object of the scheme is to allow the Cottagers to continue the enjoyment of the quiet comfort of their 'a in fireside ' in ideal surroundings. The amenities of the Homes are constantly being improved and added to, and for this purpose, MONEY IS ALWAYS REQUIRED WILL YOU PLEASE HELP by sending a Subscription to:- A. J. Campbell Secretary and Treasurer 53 Bothwell Street Glasgow G2 6TE Tel. 041-221 9786

181 Mem­ No. Name lnst. Fed. hers President Secretary 618 Altrincham and Sale 1945 1945 50 Mrs. E. Hewson J. McFarlane,9KiplingClose, Caledonian Society Offerton, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 5KS 626 Moffat and Dist. Burns 1946 1946 89 T. Sweetman Charles J. Young, 4 Eastgate, Club Moffat, Dumfriesshire DG109AA 627 Kinross Jolly Beggars 1889 1946 150 John S. Wilson John Kidd, Little Aldie, Burns Club Fossoway, Kinross KY13 7QJ 629 Sanquhar Black Joan 1945 1946 60 T. A. Johnston T. A. Johnstone, 42 High St., Club Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire 630 Coalsnaughton Burns 1945 1946 150 James Hunter Alex. C. Cook, 4 School Terr., Club Coalsnaughton, Tillicoultry FK13 6JX 632 Symington Burns Club 1946 1946 136 Rev. Alex. S. Mrs. Olive Sutherland, The Sutherland Manse, Symington, Kil­ marnock KAl 5DQ 637 Millheugh Burns Club 1941 1946 20 David Banks John Perrie, 28 Westerton Ave., Strutherhill, Larkhall, Lanarkshire 642 Rutherglen Burns Club 1975 1975 Mrs. Anna Wilson Mrs. Anne Hodgson, 66 Neilvaig Drive, Fernhill, Rutherglen 646 The Clear Winding 1946 1947 63 James Lindsay Mrs. Anna Law, 65 Queen St., Devon Alva Burns Alva, Clackmannanshire Club FK12 5EJ 648 Carron Bridge Cronies 1941 1947 55 Henry Graham Lawrence F. Sherry, 28 Burns Club, Kilsyth Duncan Grahamshill Ter., Fankerton by Denny, Stirlingshire 657 Fallin Gothenberg Burns 1947 1947 73 John Young John Milroy, 28 Lamont Cres., Club Fallin, Stirlingshire FK7 7EJ

659 Dundee Burns Society 1896 1947 80 Miss H. Cuthill David W. Bett, 5 Tay Terrace, Newport on Tay, Fife DD6 8AZ 660 Langholm Ladies' Burns 1947 1947 50 Miss A. M. Mann Mrs. N. C. L. Mcintosh, 27 Club Townfoot, Langholm, Dum­ friesshire DG13 OEH 661 Leamington and War- 1947 1947 79 Richard Moffat Mrs. K. M. Ollett, 67 Kenil- wick Caledonian Soc. worth Court, Warwick, Rd., Coventry CV3 6JA 663 Bournemouth and Dist. 1907 1947 196 Roy Gillespie Mrs. Helen S. Hardwick, 70 Caledonian Society Smith The Avenue, Oaktree Farm, St. Leonards, nr. Ringwood, Hants BH24 2RJ 664 West Kilbride Burns 1947 1947 180 Robt. P. Airston H. G. Showell, 'Dalblair,' 87 Club Meadowfoot Rd., West Kil­ bride, Ayrshire KA23 9BZ 665 Gartmorn Ladies' Burns 1947 1948 44 Mrs. Margaret Mrs. J. Ramage, 6 Holton Club McConnell Cres., Sauchie, by Alloa FKlO 3DZ 671 St. Andrew's Cronies 1947 1949 135 Joseph McKee Andrew Richmond, 26 Frew Burns Club Terrace, Irvine KA12 9EA 182 SCOTTISH NATIONAL DICTIONARY

This monumental work has now been completed. I In 10 volumes it records the Scots language as it has been spoken and written since 1700. It serves as a key to the works of Burns, Scott and our other foremost Scottish writers and its voca­ bulary covers every facet of Scottish life and history in the last three centuries. The subscription for the total work is £250 and only 90 sets are still available. Write now to the Secretary, Scottish National Dictionary, 27 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LD. The Scottish National Dictionary Association having successfully accomplished its first project has begun work on a definitive one-volume dictionary of Scots, to be completed in about seven years. The Association is continuing to foster Scottish studies, and is registered as a charity for this purpose. Legacies and donations to further its work will be welcomed by the above.

183 Mem­ No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 674 Manchester and Salford 1890 1948 150 J. Fraser Mrs. F. S. Wenborn, 8 Firs Caledonian Assoc: Ave., Firswood, Manchester M16 OEP 679 Tullibody and Cambus 1947 1948 50 S. Cherrie Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park Burns Club Terr., Tullibody, Clackman­ nanshire FKlO 2QA 681 TheCroniesBurnsClub, 1948 1948 100 T. A. McMillan Mrs. F. Lolley, 5 Peatland Kilmarnock Road, Kilmarnock

683 Stratford-upon-Avon 1947 1948 100 Mrs. A. Sinton Mrs. J. Denton, 38 Hunts Rd., and Dist. Cal. Soc. Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks. 688 Kirkcaldy Poosie Nansie 1939 1949 37 Mrs. M. Adamson Mrs. Hazel Weierter, 5 Ladies' Burns Club William Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife KYl lTW 691 Inverness Burns Club 1949 1949 150 J. F. Michie D. F. MacDougall, Outlands, 18 Dor.:$ Road, Inverness IV2 4QX 693 Masonic Burns Club, 1949 1949 77 John Middleton L.D.Hinchliff,41 Castledykes Kirkcudbright Road, Kirkcudbright 695 Kilmaronock Burns Club 1949 1949 138 Dr. JohnK. Mrs. Maureen McKenzie, (Dunbartonshire) Galloway West Cambusmoon Farm, Gartocharn, by Alexandria, Dunbartonshire 696 Whitley Bay and Dist. 1930 1949 200 G. J. Adams Miss Jessie H. Colville, 60 Soc. of St. Andrew Park Parade, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear NE26 lDX 698 Turriff Burns Club 1920 1949 90.. A. C. W. Sinclair C. M. Angus, 9 Highfield Walk, Turriff ABS 7BS 699 ChoppingtonBurns Club 1948 1949 70 C. Keenlyside John E. Godden, 91 East Green, Choppington, North­ umberland NE62 5SQ 701 The Detroit Burns Club 1912 1949 66 Norman C. Sam R. Dickey, 4700 Curtis Mathers Ave, Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.A. 48126 706 North Lindsey Scots Soc. 1927 1949 96 Mrs. Janet Mrs. Elizabeth L. Davenport, McDougall 206 Ashby Rd., Scunthorpe, South Humberside 707 Malvern Scots Club 1945 1949 100 J. B. Arthur Spencer W. Noble, 4 Stoke Gardens, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire 711 The Victorian Scottish 1905 1950 E. D. Hucker A. Woods, 48 Springvale Rd., Union Springvale 3171, Australia

718 The St. Andrew Society 1894 1950 234 J. L. Smith J. Robertson, 4 Hunters Cl., of York Dunnington, YorkYOl 5QH

719 Chelmsford and Dist. 1934 1950 130 I. M. Gillespie Miss E. R. Dick, 6 Burwood Scottish Society Ct., Goldlay Ave., Chelms­ ford, Essex 184 SECRETARIES OF BURNS CLUBS AND CALEDONIAN SOCIETIES are specially catered for by our Robert Burns Department Some hae meat and canna cat1 And some wad cat that want 11, But we hac meat and we can cat, And sac the Lord be thanket.

PAPER NAPKINS (our own speciality) printed in colour with head of the Poet and Quotation-Brithers A': Selkirk Grace: Auld Lang Syne or Clan Crest and Tartan Scottie-Box of 250-£2·45 or packet of 50-60p including post. Bums 4-Toasts 17" Dinner Napkins-box of 250-£3·75 or packet of 20-45p including post. MENU CARDS-new Burns designs in colour. BOOKS-our tartan cloth bound pocket series (4" x 2t") gilt edge, 'Poems & Songs of Robert Bums (with notes)-96p. Brush up your Scotland' by Gordon Irving-96p. All new books on BURNS as published. Fine secondhand copies of early illustrated editions of Burns Poems. 50 Superb 'Braemar' colour 35mm slides-'In the Steps of Robert Burns' £5·65 with extensive commentary on each view. TARTAN PAPER in rolls 22" x 11 yds. Tartan Ribbon t," and 1 ". SCOTTISH LION and ST. ANDREW'S FLAGS-wool bunting and silk nylon also 7"x 10" flags on sticks for table or hall decoration only lOp each. Burns and Scottish Pennants-60p. Burns Check Ties and Bow Ties. Burns Writing Cases-75p. Burns Check Sellotape 72 yd. rolls-90p.

Send for our price List B.Sc.8 of Burns Supper and St. Andrew's Night specialities and souvenirs for all Scottish occasions. Inquiries invited_. INWIDDIE'S of DUMFRIES •The Clan Gift Shop

PRINTERS, PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, ETC. Established since 1846 by the Old Midsteeple, DUMFRIES (Telephone 5248). STD code 0387

185 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary .; 720 Retford and Dist. Cal. 1949 1950 90 .George Irvine Mrs. D. I. Walker, 37 Hare- Society wood Ave., Retford, Notts. DN22 7PH 721 The Plymouth Burns 1948 1950 125 J. Hawkins Mrs. S. M. Hosking, 370 Club Taunton Avenue, Whitleigh, Plymouth PL5 4EL 723 Strathpeffer Burns Club 1920 1950 90 John McLintock, M. McKenzie, Francis Ville, M.A., LL.B. Strathpeffer, Ross-shire IV149AX 725 Ben Cleugh Burns Club 1936 1950 72 T. McEwan George Leathard, 19 St. Serf's Rd., Tillicoultry FK13 6QH 726 Melbourne Burns Club 1950 1951 . 71 John McLean Mrs. Stella M. Brown, 10 Elgar Rd., Burwood, Vic- toria, 3125, Australia 727 The St. Andrew Society 1949 1951 285 H. Barclay Per Bergenholz, Valbygaards- of Denmark vej 7, 2500 Valby, Denmark 728 Bachelors' Club Com. 1951 1951 12 Maj. John Weir, Charles H. Garven, 109 St. Tarbolton D.S.0., M.A., Quivox Rd., Prestwick, Ayr- F.E.I.S. shire KA9 2ER 730 Wigtown Burns Club 1905 1951 60 Gordon S. Henry John C. Mcintyre, West Drummoddie, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire 733 Aberdeen Burns Study 1951 1974 22 G. F.Watt R. H. Watson, 6 Derbeth Circle Cres., Aberdeen AB2 6LH 740 Thorntree Mystic Burns 1949 1952 68 Wm. Cockburn W. Muir, 101 High Street, Club Prestonpans, East Lothian 741 Pleau Burns Club 1952 1952 44 J. Keirs J. White, 67 Wallace Crescent, Plean, Stirlingshire 743 The Romford Scottish 1931 1952 143 J. G. Campbell A. Semple, 'Craigmore,' 32 Association Queens Gardens, Cranham, Essex RM14 ING 744 Durham and' Dist. Cal. 1950 1952 198 Mrs. Morag Tait J. Stewart Tait, 66 Grange Society Rd., Belmont, Durham DHI IAL 745 Northumberland and 1924 1952 430 J. Gardner A. M. Frood, 16 Berkeley Sq., Durham Cal. Society Gosforth, Newcastle-upon- Tyne NE3 2JB 746 Grimsby and Dist. Cal. 1906 1952 114 Mrs. Dyte Mrs. R. M. Bellamy, 121 Society Highgate, Cleethorpes, Lines. DN35 SPA 748 Ouplaymuir Burns Club 1936 1953 32 John A. Taylor J. A. M. Inglis, M.A., LL.B., Crioch, Uplawmoor, Glas- gow G78 4AB 753 Westmorland St. Andrew 1938 1953 150 V. W. N. Forrest W. W. Blunt, 82 Greenside, Society Kendal, Westmorland 754 Thornton Cleveleys and 1951 1953 104 Mrs. A. Taylor H. Robert, 30 Countess Cres., Dist. Scottish Society Blackpool FY2 9LQ . 759 Sunderland and Dist. 1950 1953 76 Don Cuthbert Mrs. L. A. Nicol, 49 Hipsburn Caledonian Society Dr., Sunderland, Tyne-Wear SR31TY 761 Kirkton Bonnie Jean 1953 1953 40 Andrew Young Burns Club, Carluke M.A. 186 THE ROBERT BURNS COLLECTION THE PENDANT ... An exclusive des ign, with fin ely sculptured effi gy delicately . frosted to contrast with the beautifully .polished surround. Suspended on an 18" Rope Chain. Available in hallmark ed 9ct Gold or Sterling Silver. THE SNUFF-BOX . .. A true work_ of art, in an old tradition ; hand-painted in vitreous e na mel by skilled artists. T he portrait is in colour, surrounded b y a . 'thistl e-motif d esign ; the surround is fi ll ed with beaulllul transl11 crnt St. Andrew blue enamel. On the inside of the lid, in raised letters, " ROBERT BURNS 1759 - 1796 NATIONAL POET OF SCOTLA~D " . ia ll y-made blue leather-co,·ered and EP~ j\ I Encased in a s pec I gold-tooledPresentation Casket. Available in hall - ~I\ marked 9ct Gold or Sterling Silver. ._ THE CUFF-LINKS ... A pa ir of miniature medalli ons .. 0 GUID ALE COMES" delicately frosted . Struck from di es, hand-cut by skilled THE ROBERT BURNS cra ftsmen and showing the fin es t d etail. Available in ~~~~f. '.~FS•~~n~ hallmarked 9ct Gold or Sterling Si lver. s;h ,.r or '"'"'"""'""d P«w trr . "ith tn1cli1ional /,\:la ss bast• PRICES include Case, 1 2·. 'h ~ o VAT, p os t a~t · , insured ";'" a propon;:I'"""') Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd . deli very. ~ :~k~":.i;~ <~!;;:! 1 :;1uf~~t · d~!::17i. D«tads o n 77 Wars tone Lane Phone : 02 1-236 36 15 tid pa nd on"''I"'"' .-\pplic-ati "'""o'n" Birmingham BIB 6NL Reg. No.: 322795 England Form. ------, APPLICATION ~~~·~~~ :,~~«·1~~ ~,~hi:,1;~1 :~,~ : :. ~~1r\_ 1;ccm~ ~~;c~ru~~·c~~sn~1~~:~ ~~ 1:~~ ~:~ a,~ t;~ I T o: takl- up to ril( ht \\Tt·ks. · . To~r. K ennin .~ & Sprncn Lt d...... ~k 1 COLU PE:'\UA:'\T (t1 [.36'00 c;1c h 77 \\'an.tom· L;uH', llirmini.:hnm BI S 6:'\I. .. SIL\'ER PE:'\DA:'\T ta £9·00 each Grcnt Brit :.1in .. 9ct GOLO E~A MELCED S:'\t:FF~BOX tu .(1:lU ·UU each ...... SIL'o/l::Ri E:-.;A ~IELLLD s:-.;l!FF-BOX ~· [ 65·00 1·aclo .. 9ct GOLD CUFF-Ll :-.;Ks (a [45-00 each pa;r TA:-.;KARD: ...... Sll.\"ER Cl!FF-Lt:-.;KS '" £[2-UU each paor Send details I f'ndost· foll rC' mittancT totalling£

:'\amr ------rcl ------Sign Addm.• I I ------~ 187 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 763 Wakefield Cal. Society 1953 1953 107 Mrs. E. Young Mrs. E. Hargr.::aves, 36 Many- g~tes Lane, Wakefield 768 Auchterderran Jolly 1912 1954 120 W. Rob<:rtson John Combe, 100 Garden Beggars Burns Club Castle Park, Cardenden, Fife KY50EB 769 Robert Bruce Burns 1953 1954 120 John Russell John Russell, 42 Garden Terr., Club Clackmannan 772 Prestwick Burns Club 1954 1954 60 Thomas Morrison Peter Hynd, 'Corrie,' 50 Ayr Road, Prestwick KA91RR 773 Cumnock Cronies Burns 1910 1954 45 John McCreadie S. Fitzsimmons, 15 Hearth Club Road, Cumnock 775 The Hartlepools Cal. 1899 1954 154 A. M. F. Doig, Dr. C. G. Sim, 8 South Drive, Society B.Sc. Hartlepool, Co. Durham 777 Nuneaton and Dist. 1949 1954 137 G. Herbert Norman Spence, M.R.C.V.S .• Scottish Society Bardon Cottage, Church Walk, Atherstone, Warwick­ shire 780 Isle of Man Cal. Soc. 1920 1955 250 Mrs. Jean Bisset Mrs. F. Wilson, Bridge Inn, North Quay, Douglas, Isle of Man 784 Kelso Burns Club 1872 1955 120 Arthur B. Hastie Robert Donaldson, 2 Abbot­ seat Road, Kelso TD5 7SL 791 Swindon and Dist. Cal. 1946 1955 120 Donald Bayne Mrs. D. Doyle, 21 Wade Hill, Society Highworth, Swindon, Wilts. 796 Gateshead and Dist. St. 1955 1956 40 Mrs. J. L. Dawson Mrs. H. Jamieson, 13 North­ Andrew's Society field Road, Gosforth, New­ castle-upon-Tyne NE3 3UL 803 Bowhill People's Burns 1940 1957 80 James G. Gillies JamesEwan,39KirkburnDr., Club Cardenden, Fife KY5 OJW 808 Pontefract and Dist. Cal. 1956 1957 125 Mrs. Valerie Mrs. V. E. C. Richmond, Society Richmond Maypole Farm, Wistowgate, Cawood, nr. Selby, Yorks. Y08 OSH 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars 1957 1957 28 Alex. Torrance William Currie, 2 Woodside Burns Club Cres., Newmains, Wishaw, Lanarkshire ML2 9NA 810 Thirty-seven Burns Club, 1957 1973 37 J. Henderson Thos. D. Campbell, 76 Dyfrig Shotts St., Shotts, Lana:t;kshire ML74DQ 811 Logangate Burns Club 1957 1957 60 Geo. Worthington Walter Hall, 5 Paterson Ave., Logan, Cumnock, Ayrshire KA18 3HR 812 St. Andrew Society of 1886 1957 137 John S. Robertson I. D. Mciver, 113 Whitby Rd., Bradford Bradford 8 813 Tranent '25' Burns Club 1892 1958 46 Jack Cornwall Robert R. Watt, 'Ash Cott', 74 New Road, Tranent, East Lothian EH33 2AA 818 Dalbeattie and District 1958 1958 40 James Campbell Ewan C. Mair, Briardale, Burns Club Haugh Road, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire 188 FOR THE FIRST TIME , PLANS OF THE BIRTHPLACE OF ROBERT BURNS

Beautifully reproduced on parchment-like paper. Plan 1. The cottage when known as The Burns Heid Inn, 1800-1881 (With Hall, Parlour, Bar, etc.) Plan 2. The cottage after restoration in 1902. (As it is today) Size: 23 in. x 16! in. approx. Price (unframed): £7 the set, including P/P and Insurance. Available at Burns Cottage or by post from: Mrs. M. B. Darley, 7 Cochrane Place, Prestwick. Ayrshire KA9 1PW. 189 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers . President Secretary 821 Ayr Masonic Burns Club 1919 1958 20 William Smith, Jr. James Gilmour, Jnr., 88 Glen­ cairn Road, Ayr 822 Mansfield Dist. Cal. 1952 1959 44 Callam I. Haggart William J. Edgar, 129 Marples Society Avenue, Mansfield, Wood­ house, Notts. NG19 9DN 824 Stirling, Clackmannan 1946 1959 36 John 0. Stewart Mrs. W. G. Stewart, 17 Park and West Perthshire Clubs Terr., Tullibody FKlO 2QA Assoc. of Fed. Clubs

825 The 'Clarinda' Ladies 1959 1959 65 Mrs. Mary Mrs. Christine Wade, 123 Burns Club, Edinburgh Aytaun Caroline Terr., Corstorphine, Edinburgh 12 831 Lochgoilhead Burns 1960 1960 32 Robt. Armstrong J. Gray, 6 Viewfield, Loch­ Club goilhead, Argyll 834 St. Andrew's Society 1959 1960 170 Mrs. Dina John Snaddon, 2 Hawarden (Altrincham, Sale and Snaddon Rd., Altrincham, Cheshire District) WA141NG 839 Coldstream 1888 1961 120 Jas. S. Davidson, William Jackson, Homestead, B.Sc. Hirsel, Coldstream, Berwick­ shire TD12 4LW 841 Robert Burns Assoc. of 1955 1961 160 James Murray Mrs. Pat MacLean, 5309 Cote Montreal, Canada St. Luc Road, Apartment No. 17, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3X 2C2 842 'Ye Bonnie Doon' Burns 1932 1961 37 J. Blyth Mrs. J. Cassidy, 459 Franklin Club, Hamilton, Ont., Road, Hamilton, 53, Ont., Canada Canada L8V 2A2 845 Tam o' Shanter, 1959 1961 1800 George Mudie Jas. McCaw, Tam o. Shanter Coventry Club, Hertford Pl., Coventry, Warwickshire CVl 3JZ 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie 1956 1961 60 James Westwood

851 Auckland Burns Assoc. 1959 1962 35 F. T. Hogsden Geo. A. Peddison, 3 Kamahi St., Mount Eden, Auckland 3, New Zealand · 854 North-East Midlands 1956 1962 24 T. H. English Mrs. K. F. English, 166 Ray­ Assoc. of Scottish Socs. moth Lane, Worksop, Notts. Societies S81 7DY 859 Eglinton Burns Club, 1960 1963 130 R. Whyte S. Robertson, Eglinton Arms Irvine Hotel, Irvine 860 Southland Burns Club, 1962 1963 50 A. Roy Mrs. Ngaire Carr, Woodend New Zealand llRD, Invercargill, New Zealand 861 Cal. Soc. of Lincoln . 1948 1963 60 Mrs. J. Aitkinson Miss D. V. Chambers, 2 Saxil­ by Road, Skellingthorpe, Lincoln LN6 OTZ 862 Market Rasen Scottish 1960 1963 150 E. A. Gass J. A. Bell, 'Attadale,' Orford Association Road, Binbrook, Lincoln LN3 6DU 190 Souter Johnnie's House The home of John Davidson, village cobbler and original Souter Johnnie of Burns' 'Tam o' Shanter'. Life sized stone figures of the Souter, Tam, the Innkeeper and his wife, in garden. Thatched cottage in Kirkoswald village, Ayrshire (Strathclyde Region). contains Burns's relics. Open 1 April- 30 September, daily except Fridays, noon-5 p.m. or by appointment. Admission 20p. Children 1 Op. Custodian Mrs. E. B. N. Johnston, 4 Morven Crescent, Troon : also Mrs. T. G. McKellar, 56 Main Street, Kirkoswald {Tel: Kirkoswald 243). The Bachelors'Club In this 17th cent. thatched house, Burns and his friends formed their club in 1780 and it was here Burns was initiated into Free masonry in 1781. Small muse um. Period furnishings. Open daily, 1 April-30 September, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults 20p children 10. In Tarbolton village, Ayrshire (Strathclyde Region). Custodian: M r. Sam Hay, 7 Croft Street. (Tel: Tarbolton 424).

If you are tracing the footsteps of the Bard, visit these properties preserved for public enjoyment by

~ THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND ... 5 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4DU 031 -226 5922

191 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers . President Secretary 864 Burnie Burns Club, 1962 1970 J. Robb Mrs. B. C. Powe, P.O. Box 6, Tasmania Sheffield, Tasmania 7306 865 Foresters Arms Burns 1960 1963 35 L. Pope Hugh Morrison, 35 Wallace Club Place, Carnbusbarron, Stirling 866 Heanor and Dist. Cal. 1955 1963 84 W. Fairley Mrs. E. Davies, 9 Darley Dr., Society Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3FF

870 Scottish Burns Assoc. of 1961 1964 104 John Murphy Robert R. Matson, 14 Woods , Massachusetts Avenue, W. Somerville, Massachusetts, 02144, U.S.A. 872 East Midland's Assoc. of 1949 1964 9 George Large J. R. Steele, 11 Ruskin Ave., Scottish Socs. Socs. Wellingborough, Northants. 874 The Masonic Club Burns 1963 1964 27 Chieftain Jim Fred Lang, 21 Hotham Street, Club, Melbourn¥ Watson Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, Australia 3039 876 Tullibody Working 1964 1965 50 Andrew Dewar Wm. Porteous (Snr.), 10 Firs Men's Burns Club Road, Tullibody, Clackman­ nanshire FKlO 2TH 878 Worksop Burns and Cal. 1965 1965 250 Dauvit Miller T. H. English, 166 Raymoth Club Lane, Worksop, Notts. S81 7DY 880 Otley and Dist. Cal. Soc. 1960 1965 150 w. A. K. Mrs. Harriet Lee, 58 Lark­ Mcindoe :field Rd., Rawdon, Leeds 881 Rugeley and Dist. Burns 1966 1966 55 R. Cochrane P. Arkell, 5 Maddon Close, Club Brereton, Rugeley, Staffs. 882 Canberra Highland Soc. 1924 1966 1450 John Mathews Gerald Manly, P.O. Box 69, and Burns Club Kingston, Canberra A.C.T. 2064, Australia 887 Gainsborough and Dist. 1952 1967 40 Jack A. Baird Lew W. Reid, Lea Rig, 152 Caledonian Society Lea Road, Gainsborough, Lines. DN21 IAN 888 Vancouver Burns Club 1967 1967 20 Geo. Wm. Smith Jas. McPeake, 3057 East 54th Ave., Vancouver, B.C., Canada 889 Strathclyde 'Bonnie Jean' 1959 1967 28 Andrew Rae Ian Hutchison, 60 Donaldson Burns Club St., Burnbank, Hamilton, Lanarkshire ML3 ONS 890 The Wollongong Burns 1966 1967 20 Wm. C. Scott, L. M. Chirnside, 5/1 Myuna Society M.Ch.S. Way, Mangerton Wollon­ gong, N.S.W., Australia2500 892 Ayrshire Metal Products 1966 1968 150 Wm. Faichney Robt. Campbell, 3 Gulliland Burns Club Place, Irvine, Ayrshire KA120EW 893 North Bay Burns Club, 1968 1968 47 John Fulton Mrs. Thelma Stirling, 264 Ontario Wesley Avenue, North Bay, Ontario, Canada PIA 2Ll 894 Beverley and Dist. Cal. 1967 1968 75 W. Punton Mrs. Avis A. Smedley, Society 'Avron,' 17 Martin Street, Beverley, Yorkshire. 192 ------. ------=:...--:---::-;;:. - ;s=="" ?=.----"' -- _-. BURNS' H 0 USE DUMFRIES * Visitors to Dumfries should not fail to visit the old Red Sandstone House in Burns Street, in which the Poet lived and died. The House is open to visitors and contains many interesting relics of Burns and his family. The House is one minute's walk from St. Michael's Churchyard where the Poet is buried within the Burns Mausoleum.

OPEN: lst April or Good Friday (whichever is earlier) to 30th September WEEKDAYS 10 a.m.-1p.m.,2-7 p.m. SUNDAYS 2 p.m.-7 p.m. lst October to 31st March or the day before Good Friday (whichever is earlier) • · · WEEKDAYS 10 a.m.-noon, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. SUNDAYS Closed Admission to House Adults top Children Sp. 'BURNS FAMILY TREE' Compiled by the late Tom McCrorie. On sale at House. Note: Because of internal work, the house will be closed from lst October, 1976 to Late Spring, 1977.

193 Menz- No. Name_ Inst. .Fed.- bers ,· • President Secretary 895 Westerton Arms Burns 1968 1968 40 J. Easson Thomas Heggie, 20 Strath- Club allan Road, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire FK9 4BS 896 Sierra Leone Cal. Soc. 1957 1968 30 J. S. Baird George Nash, P.O. Box 674 Freetown, Sierra Leone, W.A. 897 Glenbervie Burns 1947 1969 21 Chas. C. Easton, R. H. Watson, 6 Derbeth Memorials Assoc. F.S.A.(Scot.) Cres., Mastrick, Aberdeen AB26LH 898 Peterlee and Dist. Cal. 1954 1969 20 John R. Napier L. H. C. Battersby, 61 Relford Society Rd., Peterlee, Co. Durham

900 Irvine Valley Burns Club 1968 1970 40 Hugh Barrie Mrs. Helen P. R. McMillan, 5 Mill Cres., Newmilns, Ayr- shire KA16 9BB 901 Cramlington Burns Club 1970 1970 31 Leslie Miller Peter Currie, 13 Melling Rd., Cramlington, Northumber- land 902 Newmarket Burns Club 1959 1970 52 Wm. Muirhead Alex Stewart, Wellington Bar, Manor Street, Falkirk 903 Newhall Burns Club 1970 1970 Hugh D. Parker Mrs. E. Logie, 4 Abbots Cres., Newhall, Burton-on-Trent 904 'Star of Burns Club,' 1970 1971 25 R. Craig Lame

905 Keighley and Dist. Cal. 1971 1971 Mrs. D. Fletcher, Ashley Society House, Park Rd., Crosshills, Keighley, Yorks. I 906 Ayrshire Constabulary 1926 1971 140 Supt. Donald Inspector Samuel Guthrie, Literary and Debat- Irving Police Station. Cumnock ing Society

907 Stonehouse Burns Club 1971 1971 36 Hugh Farrell Miss M. Clark, 78 Lockhart Street, Stonehoru:c, Lanark- shire ML9 3Z 908 'Brithers Be' Burns Club 1971 1971 57 D. Paton Harry McFarlane, 119 Crau- furdland Road, Onthank, Kilmarnock KA3 lHX 909 Richmond (Yorks:) Cal. 1964 1972 60 R. Wardle Mrs. N. D. Bradshaw, 2 Society Ronaldshay Drive, Rich- mond, N. Yorkshire DLlO 5BN 911 Borestone Bowling Club 1947 1972 40 Alex. Irvine J. Millar, 64 Coxithill Road, St. Ninians, Stirling 912 DIU-Club, Czecho- 1968 1972 20 Jan Chovanec Oldrich Bubenik, profesor, slovakia Jevicko 178, Czechoslovakia

914 Ipswich and West More- 1903 1972 30 Robert Cowe Mrs. Margt. Cowe, 9 Gwen- ton Cal. Soc. and Burns doline Street, Raceview, Club Ipswich, Qld. 4305, Australia 194 Dean Castle Kilmarnock

Former home of Robert Burns' friend, the Earl of G lencairn

Open to general public Saturdays and Sundays May-September

or to organised parties throughout the year admission free

195 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 915 Canterbury Burns Club 1971 1972 120 P. W. Vinnell J. E. Grant, 26 Liggins Street, (Inc) Christchurch, New Zealand 916 Hole i' the Wa', Burns 1964 1972 75 Alan Goodwin Eustace Senior, 21 Corberry Club Avenue, Dumfries DG2 7QH 917 Scottish Presidents' 1958 1972 127 G. Large R. S. Binnie, 'Glenbervie,' 27 Assoc. Lockton Avenue, Heanor, Derbyshire 918 Dover and East Kent 1887 1973 180 Jas. Warnock, Jr. Mrs. Dorothy MacFarlane, Scottish Society 169 Elms Vale Road, Dover, Kent 919 Orange and District 1944 1973 115 M. Ewens I. Hanna, 23 Hale St., Orange, Scottish Assoc. N.S.W., Australia 2800 920 Trysting Thorn Burns 1971 1973 50 James Cowan David Hodge, Auchin Farm• Club Ochiltree, Ayr 921 Northern Scottish 1973 1973 36 WilliamR. Miss Ethel Hall, 3 St. Mary's Counties Assoc. of Murray, M.A. Place, Aberdeen ABI 2HL Burns Clubs 922 The Cl umber Burns Club 1973 1973 9 Mrs. N. Inglis Mrs. E. E. Reid, Lea Rig, Gainsborough, Lines. DN211AN 923 Old Manor Burns Club, 1969 1973 50 A. G. Gourlay James Boyle, 28 Cawder Rd., Bridge of Allan Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire 924 S.C.T.A. (Dumfries 1969 1974 96 J. McKenzie D. Turner, 50 Georgetown Branch) Burns Club Cres., Dumfries 925 Laurieston Burns Club 1970 1974 130 A. Grant Hunter James Hunter, 'Cromdale,' 66 Redding Rd., Laurieston, Falkirk FK2 9JU 926 Rosamond Burns Club, 1973 1974 120 Mrs. H. Faulder John B. Maxwell, 10 Wood- Gretna Green side Rd., Gretna CA6 SAW 927 The Tarbolton Club 1967 1974 19 Alick Picken Robert M. Allan, 32 Greer Edmonton Cres., St. Albert, Alberta, Canada TSN 1TS 928 Leeds Scottish Highland 1974 1974 21 Robert Pine Athol I. Farquharson, 164 Society Shadwell Lane, Leeds LS17 SAD 929 Bathgate 'Jolly Beggars' 1974 1974 30 John Mackay James Whyte, 7 West Glen Burns Club Avenue, Deans, Livingstone, West Lothian 930 The Wheatsheaf Burns 1974 1974 50 K. McLeod T. Weir, 46 Bantaskine Drive, Club, Falkirk Falkirk, Stirlingshire FKl 5HS 931 Beith Caledonia Burns 1974 1974 Eddie Thomson, 48 Hawthorn Club Crescent, Beith 932 Corby Afton Burns Club 1974 1974 80 J. McKenzie George Holt, 42 Ibsen Walk, Danesholme, Corby, Northants. 196 l John Cairney tel Is ·

the Robert Burns Story now available as a DOUBLE LP - STEREO RECORDING

6 PAGE FULLY ILLUSTRATED SLEEVE or in cassette form ' from DICK INSTITUTE KILMARNOCK SCOTLAND

""A BEAUTIFULLY TOLD STORY MIXl?\'.G LAUGHTER WITH TEARS""-Fmquhar McKenzie

197 Mem- No. Name Inst. Fed. hers President Secretary 933 Busbiehill Burns Club 1974 1974 43 F. Todd Hugh W. Roberts, 8 Carmel Drive, Springside, Irvine KAll 3AG 934 Manama Cal. Society 1975 240 Ian K. Drever J. Fraser Anderson, P.O. Box 640, Bahrain, Arabian Gulf 935 Torbrex Inn Burns Club 1975 1975 40 T. C. Ogilvie James Kinnear, 5 Donaldson Place, Cambusbarron, Stir­ ling FK7 4EN 936 Irvine Lasses Burns Club 1975 1975 50 Mrs. Anne Gaw Mrs. Rosaline Keyte, 8 Thorn­ house Avenue, Irvine KA12 8PZ 937 East Kilbride Burns Club 1973 1975 156 Geo. B. Young Miss Joyce M. McAteer, Atholl House, East Kilbride 938 Milton Com. Centre 1975 1975 20 Frank McAdam John Campbell, 22 Mingulay Burns Club Cres., Glasgow G22 939 Griffin Burns Club, 1975 1975 80 Sam. J. Hamilton William Adair, 36 Woodlands Gartcosh Ave., Mount Ellen, Gartcosh, Glasgow G69 8BT 940 The Pembrokeshire Cal. 1948 1975 102 Mrs. Sheena Capt. Donald Macarthur, Society Wilson 'Garbhein,' Westaway Drive, Hakin, Milford Haven 941 Robert Burns Club of 1975 1975 Alex Sandie James S. Carlyle, 2150 Pacific San Diego Beach Drive, San Diego, Calif. 92120, U.S.A. 942 Easthouses Miners Wei- 1973 1975 30 Alex Steele Hugh Smith, 10 Willow Rd., fare Burns Club Mayfield, Dalkeith 943 HumbersideBurnsSoc. 1970 1976 34 W. E. M. Maycott Graham Harley, 4 Strathmore Avenue, Beverley High Rd., Hull HU6 ?HJ, Humberside 944 Alamo Burns Club, 1973 1976 - Wm. Williamson James Fisher, 5 New Inchin­ Paisley nan Road, Paisley, Renfrew­ shire 945 An Comunn Gaidealach 1974 1976 - J. A. Pitfield Mrs. J. Godden, 181 Bourne- Kirklees Branch view Road, Netherton, Hud­ dersfield HD4 7JS 946 Calgary Burns Club 1976 1976 - Robert Watson Robert Watson, 318 38th Ave., S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada 947 John Cairney Burns 1976 1976 John Cairney Colin Wright, 250 Dumbarton Club Road, Edinburgh EH141DL 948 Saltcoats Glencairn 1976 1976 C. L. Pluu R. M. Thomson, 50 Parkend Masonic Burns Club Road, Saltcoats 949 Fir Park Club, Burns 1976 1976 46 J. F. Good A. Carbray, 78 Shields Drive, Section Motherwell 950 Drumoyne Burns Club 1976 Robert Cockie Mrs. N. Ccckie, 60 Noble St., Fivedock, N.S.W. 2046, Aus­ tralia

198 '~uld.Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses... ''

This is· Burns' country - rich in memory of the famous poet's past. Visit Burns cottage, the Auld Haunted Kirk and Auld Brig o' Doon; Burns' monument and the Land o' Burns Centre with its permanent exhibition, films, information, craft shop and beautifully landscaped gardens.

For a full colour guide on Ayr, send 25p postal order to: DeptBC2 1 Tourist Information Bureau, 30 Miller Road, Ayr

199 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF CLUBS

No. No. 543 Abbey Craig 597 Burns Society of the City of 40 Aberdeen New York 733 ---Burns Study Circle 933 Busbiehill 889 A.E.I. (Motherwell) 'Bonnie Jean' 946 Calgary 20 Airdrie 4 Callander 516 Airts Burns Club 387 Cambuslang Mary Campbell 944 Alamo, Paisley 882 Canberra Highland Society 2 Alexandria 915 Canterbury Burns Club (Inc.) 809 Allanton Jolly Beggars 71 Carlisle 252 Alloway 761 Carluke 618 Altrincham Caledonian Society 648 Carron Bridge Cronies 393 Annan Ladies 562 Castle Douglas 82 Arbroath 365 Catrine 238 Atlanta 719 Chelmsford 557 --Ladit.s 462 Cheltenham 768 Auchterderran Jolly Beggars 572 Chester Caledonian Association 851 Auckland Burns Association 11 Chesterfield 906 Ayrshire Constabulary 699 Choppington 566 Australia, Scottish Society of 646 Clear Winding Devon Alva 275 Ayr 922 Clumber Burns Club 821 Ayr Masonic 630 Coalsnaughton 192 Ayrshire Association 839 Coldstream 892 Ayrshire Metal Products 606 Corby 728 Bachelors' Club (Tarbolton) 932 Corby Afton 340 Balerno 559 Coventry 439 Barnsley 845 Coventry Tam o' Shanter 593 Barrmill Jolly Beggars 901 Cramlington 363 Barrow 581 Curnbernauld 929 Bathgate Jolly Beggars 580 Cumbrae 534 Bedlington and District 45 Cumnock 931 Beith Caledonia 773 ---Cronies 15 Belfast 62 Cu par 725 Ben Cleuch 818 Dalbeattie and District 592 Benwhat 179 Dailly Jolly Beggars 894 Beverley and District Cal. Soc. 35 Dairy 167 Birmingham 158 Darlington 95 Bolton 469 Denny Cross 476 Border Cities (Ontario) 55 Derby 911 Borestone Bowling Club 701 Detroit 663 Bournemouth 37 Dollar 803 Bowhill People's Club 556 Doncaster 812 Bradford 918 Dover and E. Kent 49 Bridgeton 950 Drumoyne 401 Brig-en' (Waverley) 10 Dumbarton 120 Bristol 226 Dumfries 908 Brithers Be, Kilmarnock 437 --Ladies No. 1 356 Burnbank 503 Dunolane 864 Burnie Burns Club, Tasmania 14 Dundee 417 Burnley 659 ---Burns Society 282 Burns Bowling Association 370 Dundonald Burns Club 112 Burns Howff 69 Dunedin N.Z. 200 Irvine Burns Club Now on view, in the Club Museum, Eglinton Street, Irvine: Five new and original paintings of scenes from · 'Tam 0 Shanter' by Angus Scott. An original pencil drawing of the poet by Naysmith. The Irvine Collection of original Burns Manuscripts. Recently acquired beautifully bound copy of the Kilmarnock edition of Burns. Original Oil Painting 'Burns in Edinburgh, 1787' by Chas. M. Hardie, A.R.S.A. The Royal Burgh of Irvine Museum will be completed during the coming year but the extended Club premises are now open to the public. Our Museum and our book 'Irvine and its Burns Club' is a 'must' for all Burns lovers. Enquiries should be made to Andrew Hood, Hon. Secretary, Chamberhouses, Irvine. Telephone Irvine 78126 (day) 79596 (night). Steward-Mr. Smith Tel: Irvine 74511

Aboune them a' Mogerley's (G. LIITLE, PROP.) HAGGIS SPECIALISTS 49 FRIARS' VENNEL DUMFRIES Burns Clubs Supplied all over Britain Enquiries Invited

201 No. No. 85 Dunfermline 914 Ipswich and West Moreton 744 Durham Caledonian Society 173 Irvine 937 East Kilbride 859 Irvine Eglinton Burns Club 872 East Midlands Scottish Society 936 Irvine Lasses 942 Easthouses 900 Irvine Valley 22 Edinburgh 780 Isle of Man 307 ---Ayrshire Association 348 Jean Armour (Newton) 825 ---Clarinda Ladies Burns 849 Jean Armour, Sauchie Club 96 Jedburgh 378 --District Association 912 Jevicko-DIU Club 571 Edmonton 947 John Cairney 927 ---Tarbolton 905 Keighley and District 149 Elgin 784 Kelso 217 Eskdale 377 Kilbirnie 5 Ercildoune Burns Club 0 Kilmarnock 126 Falkirk 781 --Cronies 657 Fallin Gothenberg 695 Kilmaronock (Dunbartonshire) 949 Fir Park Club 627 Kinross Jolly Beggars 865 Foresters Arms Burns Club 323 Kirkcudbright (Cambusbarron) 693 --Masonic 576 Fort Matilda 945 Kirklees 403 Fraserburgh 388 Kyle Ladies 887 Gainsborough and District 578 Lanarkshire B.C.A. 187 Galashiels 660 Langholm Ladies 501 Galt 637 Larkhall Applebank 665 Gartmorn Ladies 925 Lauriston, B.C. 796 Gateshead and District 661 Leamington and Warwick 169 Glasgow Association 548 Leeds Caledonian Society 263 --Masonic 928 --Highland Society 897 Glenbervie Burns Memorials 461 Leicester Association 341 Leith 198 Gorebridge 861 Lincoln Caledonian Society 430 Gourock 366 Liverpool 59 Gourock Jolly Btiggars 360 Lochee 116 Greenloaning 831 Lochgoilhead Burns Club 21 Greenock 811 Logangate, Cumnock 209 -St. John's 1 London 939 Griffin 570 --Clans Association 746 Grimsby 561 London (Ontario) 33 Haggis 707 Malvern Scots Club 152 Hamilton 934 Manama 842 Hamilton, Ontario 674 Manchester and Salford 555 Harrog:ite 822 Mansfield Caledonian Society 492 Harrow 862 Market Rasen and District 349 Howff, Kilmarnock Scottish Association 775 Hartlepools Cal. Society 350 Markinch 239 Hawick 870 Massachusetts 866 Heanor and District Cal. Soc. 310 Mauchline 446 Herefordshire 726 Melbourne 916 Hole i' the Wa' 874 Melbourne Masonic 836 Hornsea and District 938 Milton, Glasgow 943 Humberside 626 Moffat and District 510 I.C.I. Grangemouth 841 Montreal Robert Burns Assoc. 691 Inverness 242 Montrose 202 'The Bard' 'The simple Bard, unbroke by rules of art, He pours the wild effusions of the heart'. Did his 'Handsome Nell' surprise Did his gospel troth exchange Carricks rhyming tribe, Change accelerate, And his dialect disguise And his marriage lines arrange Courage in his scribe; ·Worth-while change debate; Did his father's Scripture choice Did his 'Epitaph' declare Thru' verse letters glint, Truth in inward part, And his mother's tuneful voice And his searchin' satire snare Scottish song imprint. Superstitious art. • • • • Did his Mauchline 'Holy Fair' Does gran' verse, guid prose, great sangs, Fervent faith conceal, Mean much but to few, And his moosie, flo'er, and hare, And his record, rights, and wrangs, God gi'en gift reveal; Wear a waning hue; Did his craved subscription roll, Was the light that led divine Illustrate great need, Steering Kirk, and State? And his guilded burgess scroll For his light still brightly shines Greater honour plead. On his birthday date. • • • Written by Robert Forman, Publishers, Did his Dumfries farm for sale Grampian Records, Wick, Caithness, Excise worth define, And his 'Tam o' Shanter' tale Scotland. Gi'e prose polish, shine; Did his Enbr'o feather bed Plough tail projects swye 'The Bard', Cassette. No SK 2013. And his carefu', canny tread Plead a cause forbye. Price £2.50.

LOCHCARRON PRODUCTS LTD makers of ties, scarves, sashes and materials in Burns check Goods in the Burns check can be supplied either to your local retailer or to your club

Waverly Mill, Galashiels Scotland

203 No. No. 494 Motherwell United Services 642 Rutherglen 56 Muirkirk Lapraik 834 St. Andrew's Society 74 National Memorial (Altrincham, Sale and District) 500 New Cumnock 812 St. Andrew's Soc. of Bradford 903 Newhall, Burton Trent 727 St. Andrew Soc. of Denmark 523 N.S.W. Highland Society 671 St. Andrew's Cronies, Irvine 329 Newark 470 St. Giles, Elgin 133 Newarthill 220 St. Louis 542 Newarthill White Heather 948 Saltcoats 199 Newbattle 941 San Diego 293 Newcraighall . 413 San Francisco 902 Newmarket 68 Sandyford 124 Ninety 629 Sanquhar 563 Norfolk 426 Sauchie 893 North Bay, Ontario 551 Scarborough 706 North Lindsey Scots Society 314 Scottish (Edin.) 745 Northumberland and Durham 917 Scottish Presidents' Assoc. Caledonian Society 924 S.C.T.A. (Dumfries) 854 North-East Midlands Assoc. 405 Sheffield of Scottish Societies 896 Sierra Leone Cal. Society 921 Northern Scottish Counties 530 Southern Scottish Counties 17 Nottingham 860 Southland B.C., New Zealand 777 Nuneaton 50 Stirling 346 Oakbank 824 Stirling, Clackmannan and West 923 Old Manor Burns Club Perth Association 919 Orange and District 458 Stonehaven 880 Otley and District 907 Stonehouse 748 Ouplaymuir 683 Stratford upon Avon 48 Paisley 889 Strathclyde Bonnie Jean 72 Par tick 42 Strathearn 940 Pembrokeshire 723 Strathpeffer 511 Perth (West Australia) 89 Sunderland 336 Peterhead 759 Sunderland and Dist. Cal. Soc. 898 Peterlee and District Cal. Soc. 444 Swansea 284 Philadelphia North-Eastern 632 Symington 453 ---Ladies 791 Swindon Caledonian Society 741 Plean 810 Thirty Seven Burns Club 721 Plymouth 7 Thistle (Glasgow) 535 Plymouth Caledonian Society 754 Thornton Cleveleys 808 Pontefract 740 Thorntree 688 Poosie Nansie Ladies Kirkcaldy 935 Torbrex, Stirling 212 Portobello 612 Torrance Masonic 772 Prestwick 813 Tranent '25' 585 Queen s Park Clarinda 274 Troon 472 Renfrewshire Association 320 Troy 720 Retford 920 Trysting Thorn 909 Richmond (Yorks) 679 Tullibody and Cambus 769 Robert Bruce (Clackmannan) 876 Tullibody Working Men's Club 743 Romford Scottish Association 698 Turri ff 926 Rosamond B.C., Gretna 520 Uddingston Lochlie Ladies 36 Rosebery (Glas.) 237 Uddingston Masonic 454 Rotherham 888 Vancouver 9 Royalty 303 Victoria St. Andrew's Society 881 Rugeley and District 443 Victoria Burns Club 204 When in Dumfries-we invite you to visit our Bookshop

Blacklock Parries & Sons

Gen~ral and Specialist Booksellers 18-26 Church Crescent DUMFRIES Tel. 4288/9 : 63721

ROBERT BURNS A LIFE Map HUGH DOUGLAS Hugh Douglas was born on a farm close to Alloway, and & grew up in an environment similar to that which the poet knew. Printsellers This is Robert Burns from for fine Antique maps an exciting new angle. The of all parts of the world. author looks at the poet fairly in the context of his ·lifetime and ours. Prints on all subjects From all booksellers 256pages Antiquaria . Books 1 2 pages illustrated £5·50 173 Canongate, The Royal Mile, ROBERT HALE LTD Edinburgh EHS SBN Clerkenwell House, '.-~~,!fili ..... ~ •. n-:::::.1: Clerkenwell Green, Tel: 031-556 4710 · London EC1

205 No. No. 711 Victorian Scottish Union 236 Whitehaven 763 Wakefield 536 Whithorn 436 Walney Ladies 696 Whitley Bay and District 296 Walsall 730 Wigtown 664 West Kilbride 197 Winnipeg 895 Westerton Arms 890 Wollongong 753 Westmorland St. Andrew's 553 Wolverhampton 930 Wheatsheaf, Falkirk 878 Worksop Burns and Cal. Club 392 Whiffiet 718 York St. An_drew Society

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§~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 § TIIE KINDLING FIRE § ~ An album fur all Burns lovers § § Twelve Burns songs arranged for high voice by ~ § CLAIRE LIDDELL § § § § I dreamed I lay u:htre /fowtrs ~trt sprillgi11g § § On Cmnock banks § § A rosebud by my early walk § § Wee Willie Gray § § To a blackbird § § ~::i{'::O~ ;; ;:;ea pim o' '!illt § § Y t banks and brats o' bc1mit Doo11 § § Camin' thro' ihe rye § I'm a'er Y"Ul1IC to marry ytt §~ Ca' tlu.>'MDU Scau rcha hcu

I§ Recorded on EMI Waverley SZLP 2141 and succcssrully ~ § :'iir::~= ~nt~~r~~~;;~l~~~~n~:~h~:Cstc~~:s~ft~scrvc § ~ contemporary accomp:mimcnts eloquently expressive or their § ~ hwnout and sentiment ~

§ £1.00 (post 17p) from your music dealer or ~ II ·Roberton Publications · II

THE WINDMILL, WENDOVER, AYLESBURY, BUCKS HP22 6JJ 207