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Robert Millar recites Tam O’Shanter. |
IT wasn’t just ‘a blast of Januar win’ which blew a large audience into Campbeltown’s Argyll hotel on Burns’ night to celebrate the birth of the National Baird, Robert Burns.
It may have been cold and windy on the outside of the hotel but a warm welcome awaited a large audience who crossed the threshold into the hotel’s dining hall where a collection of talent had gathered to entertain the guests during Southend’s annual Burns’ Supper.
After welcoming all present the evening began when Pipe Major John Brown piped in the haggis which was carried in by Donald Taylor and addressed by Willie McLean. Having requested to say grace before starting the five-course meal the Rev Martin Forrest had the audience on their feet applauding a unique rendition of a most amusing Selkirk Grace – According to a Sheep.
With the haggis devoured along with four other courses followed by a short interval, the Nichts Ongauns got under way.
The Ongauns proceeded with a selection of pipe tunes by the Pipe Major Brown and this was followed by the main event of the evening, the Immortal memory.
Having to travel all the way from the south of England, there was considerable concern whether the main speaker for the night, if Jim Waddell would be able to overcome the terrible weather and arrive in Campbeltown in time. Fortunately he did manage and delivered what one member of the audience called, ‘a thought-provoking Immortal Memory’.
The Immortal memory was followed by Donald McKay’s humorous Toast to the Lassies which caused considerable myth among the audience. Donald’s humour at the Lassies expense was however more than matched by Marilyn Shedden’s reply.
The traditional rendition of Tam O’Shanter was recited in excellent fashion by Robert Millar and a marvellous selection of Burns’ songs were beautifully sung by Iona Barr, Myra Millar and Peter McKerral who were more than ably accompanied by Dr Moira Graham.
The evening’s entertainment came to an end with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
