Montrose
Burns Club
Celebrating Robert Burns
since 1909
Burns World Federation N0 – 242
History of Robert Burns
Ah, Rabbie Burns! The name evokes images of kilts swirling in ceilidhs, the smoky warmth of a haggis supper, and the heartfelt crooning of “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve. But who was the man behind the legend? What was his life like beyond the poems and songs that have become synonymous with Scotland itself? What is his connection with the North East of Scotland?
About The Montrose Burns Club
A club commemorating the works and heritage of our National Bard, Robert Burns was started in Montrose in 1909 when the first Festival was held by Montrose Burns Club (MBC) in the Central Hotel, Montrose and chaired by our inaugural president, Mr R.J. Muir H.M.I.S.
MBC shares the pride of all Montrosians in our fine statue of Robert Burns which was erected in 1912 and unveiled by Andrew Carnegie
Robert Burns Heritage Trail
Our Club has created a Burns Trail which identifies all the Points of Interest (POI’s) associated with Robert Burns using A5 size Stainless Steel plaques that include a QR code, which links to this website where you can see all the relevant detail.
A fascinating insight to places he visited between Montrose and Stonehaven in the North East of Scotland.
17th Anniversary of the Burns Hillside Memorial
The piper’s welcome to Burns at Hillside: Finn and Loïs Shiels (Lathallan pipe band.)
5 Roses for Robert Burns, and the four men of Hillside.
The piper’s farewell to Burns at Hillside: Finn and Loïs Shiels.
About Our Plans
Our plan was simple, create a “Robert Burns in the North East” heritage trail in and around Montrose. Our intention was to raise awareness of the areas strong connection to Robert Burns and at the same time attract visitors to the lovely part of the world in which we live. At the same time, we created this website to support the trail and to record information and detail of Burns’ strong connection with the area and keep the story alive for all to see.
Our Sponsors
Our Main Sponsors That Make This Website and Trail Possible
Message From Our Club President
My association with the Montrose Burns Club began in 2023, when I was invited to be the first woman to attend their annual Burns Supper, and to present the ‘Reply Frae the Lassies’, an incredible honour, and an invitation which I was absolutely delighted to accept!
In 2024, I attended the Supper along with several other ladies, and later that year I was again invited to present the ‘Reply Frae the Lassies’ in January 2025, and of course, I accepted with enthusiasm!
A couple of weeks later, I received a phone call from our 2025 secretary, Dave Ramsay, inviting me to take on the role as the first female Vice President of MBC. I had no hesitation in saying yes, and a wonderful, busy year followed, starting immediately with the organisation of the 2026 Burns Supper.
I was commissioned by the Club to paint the replica and repaint the original Turk’s Head plaque as part of Montrose Burns Club’s ongoing Burns Trail project, more information about which can also be found on our website. The presentation of these plaques took place in Montrose Museum, where the annual Burns exhibition is also displayed every January.
I am indebted to to all our MBC 2025 committee for all their help and support during my year as Vice President, and for helping me to organise the 2026 Supper.
Sincere thanks to Fïnn and Louis Shiels, our wonderful young pipers from Lathallan School, Ross Thomson, who addressed the haggis with his usual aplomb, Dr Moira Hansen for her informed and interesting presentation of the Immortal Memory, Dave Ramsay for his entertaining Auld Scotia, Matthew Tomlinson for his beautiful singing and piano accompaniment of ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ and ‘My Love is Like a Red Red Rose ‘, and leading us all in our enthusiastic community song, ‘Killiecrankie’, John Tomlinson for his respectful recitation of ‘The Rights of Woman’ and Tom and Joan Murray, who had the entire room ringing with laughter at their wonderfully entertaining Toast to and Reply Frae the Lassies!
We were especially delighted to welcome so many ladies at the Supper this year; a trend which we hope will continue!
I was so proud of all our top table guests, performers and speakers, who pulled out all the stops to make it an evening to remember!
In February, I was invited to be one of the judges for the Maisondieu Primary School annual Burns Poetry and Creative Arts Competition, which I thoroughly enjoyed! The standard was so high, it made our decision making particularly difficult, and we wished we could have awarded them all with certificates!
I’m absolutely loving being involved with Montrose Burns Club, and am so grateful to everyone for extending me such a warm welcome.
Kirsten
Featured Point of Interest
on Burns Trail
A new Burns memorial cairn was built in 2023 the cairn provides a safe home for the original plaque.
The cairn pays tribute to Adam Christie,
a patient at Sunnyside, who carved a
stone plaque in 1930 to commemorate the spot where Burns stopped to water his horse in 1787 as well as containing a new sculpture done in the style of Adam Christie. Keep checking our site for updates.
