Willie to honour Scotland's bard at series of events from Caithness to Aberdeenshire
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Local councillor Willie Mackay is gearing up for a series of events over the coming weeks in honour of Robert Burns.
Willie – a long-standing admirer of the works of Scotland's national bard – will take part in celebrations in Aberdeenshire and Sutherland as well as in Caithness.
The last wave of Burns suppers and lunches occurred three years ago in January 2020, just before the Covid pandemic struck, although some events were held online in 2021 and 2022 to keep the tradition going.
Willie, of Oldhall, Watten, who represents Wick and East Caithness on Highland Council, says he has been a Burns fan for some 23 years.
"Burns was born January 25, 1759, in Alloway," Willie explained. "On that date each year his life and work, and of course the legacy he left, is celebrated worldwide.
"The first Burns supper was held in 1801 by nine of his friends, five years after his death in 1796 at the age of 37.
"Rabbie Burns wrote, composed and contributed to more than 300 songs and poems of love, friendship, work and drink – often hilarious, and often with tender sympathy.
"I will be taking part in five Burns celebrations this year, from January 21 to February 4, between Caithness, Oldmeldrum and my former home village of Embo.
"I am very confident that all events will be well supported and will be sell-outs in the coming weeks.
"It is particularly encouraging to see our younger generation getting involved in addressing the haggis, reciting poetry, singing Burns's songs and offering light-hearted toasts to the bard himself, along with toasting the lassies and the customary replies from the ladies."
