A day of tributes to Robert Burns

Tributes will be paid to poet Robert Burns through outdoor wreath-laying ceremonies in Dumfries on Friday.

- SHARON LIPTROTT

Tribute Provost Tracey Little will lay flowers at Burns Statue on Friday

And it is hoped the weather will be kinder than last year when Burns tributes and suppers in Dumfries and Galloway had to be put on hold as Storm Eowyn hit the January 25 birthday anniversary of Scotland's national bard.

The Burns Statue in the town centre of Dumfries - where he lived, worked, died, and is buried - will be the main focus at 10am to mark his 266th birthday.

It is being organised by the Dumfries Burns Club and a member, Callum Watson, will finally mark his 30th year playing the Lament at the Burns Statue service, following last year's cancellation.

The service is open to the public to attend.

Also present will be members of other local Burns Clubs and representatives of organisations including Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association, civic dignitaries, MPs and MSPs. Schoolchildren will be in attendance to recite extracts from some of his well-known works.

They will all gather in front of the iconic statue to honour the memory of Robert Burns one of many taking place worldwide.

After a brief address, Dumfries Burns Club president, Judith Hewitt, will lay the first wreath on behalf of members.

It will begin the wreath-laying by placed on the steps of the monument from the many clubs and societies associated with the poet including the Robert Burns World Federation, Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No 1, Dumfries Burns Howff Club and St Michael's Burns Club.

Dumfries Provost, Tracey Little will also lay a wreath on behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Council.