The Mearns community where Robert Burns’ father was born will stage a special celebration of its historic links to Scotland’s National Bard.
The Kinneff and Catterline event will take place on Friday, January 24, raising money for host venue Kinneff Village Hall as well as the Milltown Community Workshop in Arbuthnott.
Dave Ramsay, of Mearns Heritage Services, has designed the evening as a toast to the rich Burns heritage in the region.
He said: “We have many great reasons and connections to celebrate Burns in the Mearns.
“Not the least of which is that his father, William Burnes, was born at Clochnahill in the parish of Dunnottar in 1721, before leaving the family farm for Edinburgh and eventually to Alloway in Ayrshire – where the story of Robert Burns begins.”
Mr Ramsay promised that “an experienced team of Burns speakers and enthusiasts” would be on hand to “provide all the ingredients for a great evening to celebrate Burns”.
North East MSP, Liam Kerr, will serve as guest speaker at the event. He and Mr Ramsay recently visited the graves of the Bard’s ancestors at Glenbervie kirkyard.
The hall will be decorated with Burns related artefacts and banners which tell the life stories of Robert Burns and his father, William Burnes, in the context of the Mearns.
The poet’s father retained the spelling “Burnes” throughout his life, though his son favoured the Ayrshire spelling of “Burns”.
To buy tickets call 01569 750730 or email dave.r.ramsay@gmail.com
