Friday, 23 January 2026

Concert to celebrate revered poet

    1. Regions
    2. South Canterbury

    A scene from a last year’s Burns evening in Waimate. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
    A scene from a last year’s Burns evening in Waimate. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
    The Waimate Scottish Society are gearing up to hold their 62nd Burns Night Concert.

    Held in the Waimate High School Perry Hall at 7.30pm on January 31, the evening celebrates the birth of Robert (Robbie) Burns’ birth in Alloway Ayrshire Scotland on January 25, 1759.

    Robbie has become one of Scotland’s most iconic literary figures and most revered national poet.

    The legacy he left behind has had a profound effect on future generations around the world and continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists.

    This year is 266 years from Robbie’s birth.

    Ewan Penny with one of the key elements of Burns Night, the haggis.
    Ewan Penny with one of the key elements of Burns Night, the haggis.
    The Address to Burns (The Immortal Memory) will be given by Sharon Stace, The Star of Robbie Burns will be sung by Dougall McLachlan and the Address to a Haggis will be by Gordon Pringle, from Oamaru.

    The Midlands Choir, which is made up of men and women from all over the Mid and South Canterbury area, has also been invited to perform.

    Other entertainment for the evening will include the Waimate Highland Pipe Band, Waimate Highland dancer Kate Schumacher, the Waimate District Community Choir, Clare Luckman (piano), Dougall McLachlan (vocal), Ewan Penny (violin), and Jean Barkman (vocal) from Dunedin.

    The public is invited to enjoy the entertainment and try a piece of haggis with supper. — Allied Media

    Timaru Courier