Wednesday Highlight Talks

Every Wednesday the team at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and volunteers hold a Highlight Talk exploring the life and works of Robert Burns!

About Wednesday Highlight Talks

Sorry, but this event has been and gone!

3pm start in the Robertson Room within the museum building.
These are free events and there is no need to book.

24th April: The Holy Fair
In this talk Rab Walker will comment on the contents, meaning and significance of the the famous satirical poem "The Holy Fair" written by Robert Burns in 1785. To illustrate his commentary he will recite from the poem. Scenes in this poem are set at the Holy Fair held at the time of Burns in Mauchline. It may not be held in the same format as it was in the time of Burns but the Mauchline Holy Fair still continues on an annual basis.

1st May: Now Rosy May Comes In Wi Flooers
This is a walking talk. Please meet at the entrance for Burns Cottage, Alloway. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Join Chris Waddell, Learning Manager at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to learn about developments at New Gardens, the flora and fauna at this time of year and the significance of these matters for Robert Burns.

8th May: Murder On the Northern Shore?
John Hodgart discusses the trial of Mungo Campbell, the Saltcoats excise officer, for the 'murder' of 10th Earl of Eglinton on the North Shore of Ardrossan in 1769 which remains one of the most controversial in our legal history, What really lay behind the fatal encounter of these two men on Ardrossan's North Shore and was it really murder? Mungo was convicted of the murder but he avoided the gallows. John will examine why this was probably a miscarriage of justice and why Mungo Campbell has been much maligned in history and story.

15th May: Burns And Thomas Muir: A Shared History
Jimmy Watson, Chair of The Friends of Thomas Muir of Huntershill, in his talk entitled Robert Burns and Thomas Muir: A Shared History considers the poet(Robert Burns), the Advocate(Thomas Muir) and the other political martyrs who inspired Robert Burns.

22nd May: 3 Black Americans' Visits to Burns Cottage
In her talk entitled Three Black Americans' Visits to Burns Cottage Alison Wilson discusses the visits of three iconic black American figures to Alloway, the home of Scotland's National Poet, Robert Burns.

29th May: Robert Burns And Glasgow
In his talk entitled Robert Burns And Glasgow Marc R Sherland explores the visit Scotland's Bard Robert Burns made to Glasgow and the connections between the city and the Heritage of Robert Burns. Glasgow seen from a Burnsian perspective.

5th June: Robert Burns The Book Lover
In her talk Jean Swinley considers Robert Burns The Book Lover with reference to the books available to and read by Robert Burns and the value to and influence on Robert Burns of reading and the books he encountered.

12th June: The Falcons Of Ridicule And The Bloodhounds of Satire
In his talk entitled The Falcons Of Ridicule And The Bloodhounds Of Satire and to be delivered in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Rab Wilson, Scriever at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, explores and references the history of satire in Scots poetry.

19th June: Whose Been Eating My Porridge?
In her talk entitled Whose Been Eating My Porridge?:Poets and Porridge from Folk Tales To Kitchen Tables Moira Gemmell takes a look at the eighteenth century culinary art of using oats with the aid of two poets.

26th June: Burns Turns In Performance
Burns Turns perform songs and poems and explain their raison d'etre and history. Burns Turns bring the curtain down on the 2018/2019 series of Highlight Talks. Highlight Talks will return for the 2019/2020 series this September.

While we take every opportunity to ensure the details for Wednesday Highlight Talks are accurate, we always advise that you contact the event organiser before setting out for the event to avoid disapointment.

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