Robert Burns World Federation Limited www.rbwf.org.uk The digital conversion of this Burns Chronicle was sponsored by Paisley Burns Club The digital conversion was provided by Solway Offset Services Ltd by permission of the Robert Burns World Federation Limited to whom all Copyright title belongs. www.solwayprint.co.uk A Toast to BURNS Robert Burns Over 150 years ago when most whisky was produced illicitly to avoid CHRONICLE tax in Scotland, Arran was reputed to make the best illicit whisky in the country. The last distillery on the island ceased production in 1837. WINTER 2005 The dream of a new distillery on Arran became reality in June 1995 when the stills of Scotland’s newest distillery, situated amongst the beautiful scenery of Lochranza, delivered their first spirit. Ten years on Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd continues to go from strength to strength, and are very proud to be a Patron of the Robert Burns World Federation. The company is the only distillery in the world authorised by the Robert Burns World Federation to produce a whisky under the name of our National Poet. Alongside their award-winning portfolio of whisky products, they offer a Robert Burns Blended Whisky, a Robert Burns Malt Whisky and three limited edition Deluxe Blends - what better way to toast the Bard this winter! Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd are very pleased to offer readers of the Burns Chronicle a 10% discount on all regular products through their Mail Order department. Internet users can enter the following code into their web basket to enjoy their discount. This code can be used for web, phone, email and postal orders and is valid until the end of January 2006 - taking in both the festive season, and the January Burns celebrations. Don’t delay... Order Today!! Web: www.arranwhisky.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 01786 431902 Post: Matt Edwards, Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd, Enterprise House, Springkerse Business Park, Stirling. FK7 7UF. Discount code: robertburns 01387 262960 Printers, Heathhall, Dumfries. Tel. the We regret that due to strict customs regulations that they are unable to despatch orders to all countries, please contact them for further information. Solway Offset A ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION PUBLICATION Motto — “A man’s a man for a’ that” THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION LIMITED Company Registration No. 196895. Scottish Charity No. SCO29099 (Formerly THE BURNS FEDERATION) Instituted 1885 www.worldburnsclub.com HEADQUARTERS: DEAN CASTLE COUNTRY PARK, DOWER HOUSE, KILMARNOCK. KA3 1XB. TEL/FAX: 01563 572469. OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. [email protected] DIRECTORS AND CONVENERS JOHN G. PATERSON (President), Newlands, 35 Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, Kent. CT20 2NQ. Tel: 01303 256670 ANGUS MIDDLETON (Vice-President), “Red Gables”, 38A Skelmorlie Castle Road, Skelmorlie, Ayrshire. PA17 5AL. Tel: 01975 522 722. E-mail: [email protected] JOHN F. HAINING (Junior Vice-President), 115 Ralston Avenue, Paisley. PA1 3BY. Tel: 0141 883 2059. E-mail: [email protected] WILSON OGILVIE (Heritage Convener), “Lingerwood”, 2 Nelson Street, Dumfries. DG2 9AY. Tel: 01387 264267 ROBERT DALZIEL (Schools Convener), 4 Parkside Road, Motherwell. Tel: 01698 252225. E-mail: [email protected] HARRY McGUFFOG (Conference Convener): 30 South Edge, Shipley, West Yorkshire. DB18 4RA. E-mail: [email protected] MURDO MORRISON (Marketing Convener), 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw. ML2 8HU. Tel: 01698 372638. E-mail: [email protected] WALTER WATSON (President), 7 John Street, Biggar, Lanarkshire. KL12 6AE. Tel: 01899 220708. E-mail: [email protected] SHIRLEY BELL (Chief Executive), “Inveresk,” Kelton, Dumfries. DG1 4UA. Tel/Fax: 01387 770283. E-mail: [email protected] A. MacARTHUR IRVIN (Director USA), 40 Brighton Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30309, USA. E-mail: [email protected] MAY CRAWLEY (Director Canada), 25 Pine Street, St. Catherines, Ontario. L2N 4T2. Fax: 001-905-937-9443 JIM O’LONE (Director Pacific Rim), 14 Marine Terrace, Freemantle, 6160, W. Australia. E-mail: [email protected] WILLIAM DAWSON (Literature Convener), 4 Riverview, Claremont, Alloa. FK10 2DF. E-mail: [email protected] 200 Club Organiser: MOIRA RENNIE DUNSMORE, 5 Southwark Close, Stevenage, Herts. SG1 4PG. Tel: 01438 228366. E-mail: [email protected] of Australia and Western Pacific Conference. Pacific of Australia and Western OFFICIALS Chief Executive/Secretary: SHIRLEY BELL, “Inveresk,” Kelton, Dumfries. DG1 4UA. Tel/Fax: 01387 770283. E-mail: [email protected] Clerical Secretary: MARGARET CRAIG, Dean Castle Country Park, Dower House, Kilmarnock. KA3 1XB. Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. E-mail: [email protected] Hon. Legal Advisor: DAVID STEVENSON. Auditors: SMITH & WALLACE & CO. of the City Bendigo Burns Club and Conference of The Robert Burns Association Main Sponsor pictured with members and friends at the Annual General Meeting President John Paterson of The Robert Burns World Federation NEWLY INSTALLED PRESIDENT VISITS AUSTRALIAN BURNSIANS PRESIDENT VISITS AUSTRALIAN INSTALLED NEWLY BURNS CHRONICLE WINTER EDITION 2005. Editor: PETER J. WESTWOOD, 1 Cairnsmore Road, Castle Douglas. DG7 1BN. Tel/Fax: 01556 504448. E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Manager: MURDO MORRISON, 110 Campbell Street, Wishaw, ML2 8HU. Tel/Fax: 01698 372638. E-mail: murdo.morrisonmmpr@btint EDITORIAL CONTENTS Making Robert Burns: THE BEST LAID SCHEMES! The Correspondence of James Currie ...4 ON hearing of my intended retiral as The Re-Burial of Robert Burns, Editor of the Chronicle which I indicated a Remarkable Discovery .......................9 at the Annual General Meeting in Ayr, 25th Annual Conference - R.B.A.N.A. ....12 I take this opportunity of thanking all those who wished me well in my retiral. Robert Burns: Scottish Soldier ................13 To those who asked me to re-consider, The Burns Club of St. Louis, 1905 .........16 after consultation with the Board where a The Clan Donnachaidh Society ..............22 number of proposals were put to me I have decided to carry on for the time being, and A Defence of Robert Burns .....................26 look forward to your support. Chronicle Editor had two With a view to creating further interest Kilmarnock Editions ...........................30 in the Chronicle within the membership, “For the Future be Prepared” - Presentation TWO FREE COPIES of this issue will of £100,000 to Federation .................33 be sent to every Federated Club for distribution, in the hope of attracting new The Mysterious Adventures of a Bowling Cup ......................................34 subscribers. Your attention is drawn to the article Burnsians John and Betty MacMillan on Page 26 “A Defence of Robert Burns”. raise £500,000 for Charity .................36 I had the good fortune of reading this A Tale of Three Letters ...........................37 personal letter from James Gray (Master of Trade Contractors Burns Society .............52 the High School, Dumfries) to the Poet’s brother Gilbert. Gray was a close friend of Obituaries ..............................................60 the Poet particularly during his last years in Dumfries Theatre Royal ..........................64 continued on page 3 The Robert Burns World Federation Limited does not accept any responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed in the Burns Chronicle. Contributors are responsible for articles signed by them; the Editor is responsible for articles initialed or signed by him, as well as for those unsigned. Articles, photographs, items for review and all correspondence should be addressed and forwarded to the Editor at the above address. Articles offered should be in typescript with double spacing and on the one side of the sheet. A stamped addressed envelope should be forwarded for return of articles and photographs. © THE ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION LIMITED 1 President: Major (Rtd) John C. Paterson 2 Dumfries, in fact was with him a few days before he died. He concludes his letter as FELLOW BURNSIANS follows:- “I shall deem it the proudest work of Having been elected as President of The my life, if my feeble efforts shall be in the slightest Robert Burns World Federation I feel very degree instrumental in correcting erroneous honoured and humble because I know that so opinions, which have been too long and too many wonderful people have held this Office so widely circulated.” successfully in the past and of course many are still active in the Federation today. I was over- Front cover:- The Poet’s Statue in come by the number of congratulatory cards Dumfries, recently repaired and cleaned and messages received at the Conference and with the addition of a “Crown of Spikes” by the amount which I have received by post to discourage seagulls in particular from from overseas. sitting on the Poet’s head. See cartoon by I promise therefore, to carry out my duties Colin Hunter McQueen on Page 11. As to the full, but I must emphasis that I do not we go to press the “Crown of Spikes” has consider this to be a ONE man band. I will vanished! be co-operating with my Senior and Junior Peter J. Westwood, Editor. Vice Presidents as well as with our Chief ———————— Executive, Shirley and our Administrative Clerk Margaret. I will also be very aware of the other ST. BARTS CHILDRENS Board Members and shall call upon their past experience and I will take note of all information CANCER RESEARCH passed on at our Executive Meetings. Pictured from left to right: Evan Stone, To date I have apointments in Australia, QC, Betty MacMillan, John MacMillan and Dr. Kiev, Hungary and Halifax Nova Scotia. I am Ian Sanderson with a Cheque for £14,125.00 looking forward to them all in the name of The donated to St. Barts Children’s Cancer Research. Robert Burns World Federation. See story on page 36.