Burns Night in Franklin

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st January 13, 06:14 AM

This past Saturday, Jan. 19, the Friends of the Scottish Tartans Museum hosted their 17th annual Robert Burns Dinner. Here are a few photos.

Here is our own SirDaniel1976 picking up his tartan banner for the procession which started the evening.

Arthur Hayes, of the Clan Hay Society, once more gave his Ode to the Haggis, which he does for us every year. His is one of the more dramatic presentations I have seen, which I hope this series of photos illustrates.

A few members of the museum Board of Directors. The lady on the far left, Janet Greene, has retired from the board after many years of service and is being recognized.

Chuck and Lois Coburn giving the toast to the Lads and Lassies.

I was called upon once more to give the Immortal Memory speech.

After dinner we did a few Scottish Country dances, which my wife and I participated in. Hence the sweaty brow I am sporting in this final photo.

**creagdhubh** · 21st January 13, 07:12 AM

Great photos, Matt! Thank you for sharing.

Cheers,

**cessna152towser** · 21st January 13, 08:06 AM

Great pics, looks like a good time had by all.
Its great to see Burns' birthday being celebrated around the world.

**Llama** · 21st January 13, 09:53 AM

Very nice! What medallion are you wearing on your fob? Is it a templar cross?

**Truitt** · 21st January 13, 12:24 PM

Nice pictures, Matt. Thanks for sharing them. It looks like it was a fun event.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 22nd January 13, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by Llama

Very nice! What medallion are you wearing on your fob? Is it a templar cross?

No, though it often gets mistaken as one. That's the medallion I received when I was inducted into the Guild of Tartan Scholars.

**mookien** · 21st January 13, 07:42 PM

Matt: Thanks for the pictures. Looks like Arthur was really getting into the Ode to a Haggis.

Your outfit looks spectacular! Is that a tweed Sheriffmuir and vest? Is that a white cravat? I wish we could have been there to join the celebration and remembrance.

Tonight, my son and I were talking about flying into Atlanta with our wives and renting a van to drive up to North Carolina (to visit the STM, of course) and then back down through Georgia to our family in Jennings/Jasper, FL. But, we recognized that the expense might cost each of us a kilt, so we may leave our wives behind.

John

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 22nd January 13, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by mookien

Matt: Thanks for the pictures. Looks like Arthur was really getting into the Ode to a Haggis.

Your outfit looks spectacular! Is that a tweed Sheriffmuir and vest? Is that a white cravat? I wish we could have been there to join the celebration and remembrance.

Thanks! Yes, the Sheriffmuir and waistcoat are both Harris Tweed. The cravat is an ivory colored silk. Kilt is a 6 yard box pleated kilt in Armstrong tartan, Wilsons of Bannockburn colors (made by myself, of course). Sporran is from Artificer. Argyle hose from the STM. We did have a great time, it would have been great to have more X Markers there.