(Gananoque, ON – January 7, 2025) The birthday of Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland and a pioneer of the Romantic movement, is coming fast and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 is ready to celebrate in style. Robbie (as he is fondly called by those who appreciate him best) loved his ladies with all his heart, soul and energy, and fathered 12 children by four different women before dying of a heart condition at the age of 37. Nine of these children were by his wife, Jean Armour, who gave birth to their son Maxwell on the day that Robert died. He is believed to have produced about 400 songs and poems over the course of his short life, many of which became very popular with the public, and an astounding 10,000 people came out to pay their respects at his funeral.

“Although he cannot be with us in person, we are more than happy to honour his spirit and the legacy he left us,” said John Robertson, organizer. Robertson’s wife Marjorie originally brought the dinners to life. When she passed on in 2022, he and Branch 92 continued the tradition as much in her honour as in the memory of Burns.

Marjorie Robertson always presented the annual affair with much dash and aplomb.  Whether reading Burns aloud for the enjoyment of attendees, selling tickets on the raffle basket, or otherwise seeing to the needs of her guests, she was always a gracious hostess. Her charm and sense of humour made haggis eaters out of the most reluctant.

“Although we lost Marjorie Robertson in 2022, we will never forget how much she loved Robbie Burns and the entire celebration,” said Anne Parker, membership chair for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. “This dinner is as much in her honour as it is in his.”

Robert Burns is known around the world as the national poet of Scotland and a pioneer of the Romantic movement. Not only a prolific poet in his own right, producing many works with a “light” Scots dialect and making the works understandable to those outside Scotland, he also went to great pains to collect traditional folk songs from throughout the nation, revising or changing them as necessary in order to preserve them for future generations.

Some of his popular poems and songs include “A Man’s A Man for A’ That”; “A Red, Red Rose”; “Annie Laurie”; and “To a Mouse”. However, his best-known work has got to be “Auld Lang Syne” which is traditionally sung at the closing of every year to ring out the old and bring in the new.

Festivities will be held at the Legion on King Street East on January 19 starting with a meet and greet from noon until 1 p.m. followed by dinner and entertainment from 1-4 p.m.

“Dinner will be roast beef, neeps (turnips), tattties (potatoes), salad, buns and a taste of haggis if one desires,” said Shirley Howard, secretary/treasurer of the Legion. “Entertainment will be provided by Princess of Wales Own Regiment Pipes and Drums, the MacLeod Highland Dancers, and Scottish songs with A.J. Benoit & Laura on the accordion. We are also raffling a gift basket containing Scottish items and treats. The basket is worth over $200, and tickets are three for $5.”

Go grab your kilts and sporrans, drape your plaids and head out to the Branch 92 Legion to buy your tickets. Only 70 tickets are available and must be purchased in advance. They are selling fast at $35 per person and are only available at the Legion itself.