Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

This evening, my theme is the famous Brig o’ Doon (Bridge over the River Doon) at Alloway, Ayrshire which has close connections with Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns and on which more is provided below.

First a Catswhiskers new summary:

Glasgow Weather: Bitterly cold with temperature below freezing for the last 24 hours. This evening, we have a light layer of snow.

Ancestry Research: Have just posted to my separate GlasgowAncestry blog information on McKechnie family history obtained from information at historic Paisley Abbey.

Tours of Scotland: Worked on two new tours: An American family requiring a day tour from Edinburgh and large group from Sweden requiring a whisky themed tour.

Brig o’ Doon: My theme this evening is the famous bridge over the River Doon which dates from the Middle Ages and become a famous landmark consequent on Robert Burns using the bridge as the setting for the climax of the poem Tam o’ Shanter which is the story of a farmer from nearby Maybole who gets into trouble due to fondness for women and drink. At the end of the story Tam is chased by a group of witches and warlocks and makes a narrow escape on horseback via a heroic leap for the keystone of the bridge in course of which a witch grabs the horses tail which is ripped off leaving the stump as a salutary reminder of the dangers of drink and women.

“For Nannie, far before the rest
Hard upon noble Maggie prest,
And flew at Tam wi’ furious ettle;
But little wist she Maggie’s mettle!
Ae spring brought off her master hale,
But left behind her ain grey tail;
The carlin claught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.”

This video clip shows the bridge and its surroundings including the nearby Burns Monument.

This evening, I attended a supper in Glasgow in honour of Scotland’s national poet, Rabbie Burns.

Here is an extract from one of Burns’ poems, ‘John Anderson, My Jo’:

John Anderson my Jo, John,
When wee were first acquent;
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bony brow was brent;
But now your brow is beld , John,
Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,
John Anderson my jo.

Sing-a-long after the supper

Address to the Haggis

Piper

A good evening in convivial company!

This evening, I am posting some information on upcoming Burns related events:

Touring Exhibition Jan-Nov 2009

Some 36,000 objects fr pm Scotland’s national collection of objects connected with Scotland’s national poet will be brought together in celebration of the poet’s 250th anniversary. The collection includes manuscripts, books, art and artifacts which will be available for viewing at the National Library, Mitchell Library, Art Gallery and Museum Aberdeen and Greyfriars Church, Dumfries.

Creative Burns Feb-May 2009

This exhibition at he Dick Institute, Kilmarnock will explore Burns own creative output and his legacy to the present day. There will also be a display of Burns inspired art work by leading Scottish artists.