ONE of the hardy annuals at this time of the year is whether Robert Burns would have supported independence, and as we enter the Burns Supper season this is surely a matter for discussion by all who perceive the importance of the Bard to Scottish culture.
The trouble is that there are not a lot of Yes groups across the country having the real forum for discussion about Rabbie – a Burns Supper.
That is perhaps because many SNP branches across the country host their own annual Burns Supper, but does that squeeze out other pro-independence groups from doing so?
If you are having a Burns Supper and would like some publicity for it, please get in touch with community@thenational.scot before Tuesday at 2pm.
Here’s just some of the SNP Burns Suppers coming up: Banffshire & Buchan Coast SNP Burns Supper will take place in the Fraserburgh Leisure Centre, North Links, Seaforth Street, Fraserburgh, tonight from 7pm. Guest speakers include SNP depute leader Keith Brown MSP, and Maree Todd MSP.
SNP Wick Branch’s Annual Burns Supper is on Burns Night itself. Tickets are £20 per person for three courses plus coffee and entertainment. To book phone 01955 603080 or contact alltbeithe@gmail.com.
Also on Burns Night near the other end of the country, Tweeddale SNP will host a traditional Burns Supper with poetry, music and song in Peebles’ excellent Tontine Hotel. Speakers include Iain Lawson (Immortal Memory), Christine Grahame MSP (Toast To Scotland), Roger Mullin (Toast To The Lassies), Michelle Thomson (Reply From The Lassies) and Jim Calder (Holy Willie’s Prayer). Tickets priced £21.91 available from Eventbrite.
Also on Friday, the Park House Suite at the Cairndale Hotel, Leafield Road, Dumfries, will host the Dumfries SNP Burns Supper. They have no less than five MSPs speaking, including Michael Russell and Joan McAlpine.
We should note that Yes Clydebank are hosting a non-Burns event next Saturday January 26 in the New Village Hall in Duntocher, starting at 7.30pm with tickets a snip at £10.
They told us:”Happy New Year to all – 2019 will be a crucial year on the road to Scotland becoming independent once more.
“First event up in 2019 is the second of our fundraisers. The ‘night oot’ will be entertaining, a chance to catch up and blether with friends and make new ones and simultaneously contribute to funding a successful campaign as we did in 2014.
“There’s comedy, live music, disco, bar, raffle ... and we are adding a light buffet. It will be a cracking night, so book your tickets, bring your pals and give Yes Clydebank a good start to 2019.”
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