Tributes will be paid to poet Robert Burns through outdoor wreath-laying ceremonies in Dumfries on Tuesday.
Miller Caldwell, president of Dumfries Burns Club, said the Burns Statue in the town centre will be the main focus of the public tributes they are hosting at 10am to mark the 263rd anniversary of his birthday.
The ceremony is expected to see Provost Tracey Little, lay a wreath along with representatives from Dumfries Burns Club, the Robert Burns World Federation, Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No 1, Dumfries Burns Howff Club and St Michael’s Burns Club.
Schoolchildren have also been invited to attend, along with MPs and MSPs.
Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association are to host a wreath-laying service at Burns’ Mausoleum in St Michael’s Kirkyard at 11am.
However, their annual memorial service in the church – which usually includes a number of schools – has been cancelled.
The usual Burns supper gatherings that are a tradition at this time of the year for the organisations have been put on hold because of the pandemic.
Dumfries’ Burns Howff Club honorary secretary, David Miller, said: “After much deliberation, the Howff Club, as like so many other clubs, have decided to postpone our anniversary dinner until March of this year.
“I am afraid the guidance at this time has been such that gatherings along the lines of our dinner in The Globe Inn cannot be held and indeed, although there is a likelihood that the restrictions may ease prior to January 25, we are left with no time to prepare and if we had gone ahead with our preparations there would be a chance we would have had to cancel at the last minute.
“Therefore the decision was taken to delay.”
In the meantime, Burns’ close ties with Dumfries are being celebrated by staff at the town’s VisitScotland iCentre on Whitesands this month.
They have set up a special display for the public to view featuring several items donated by Dumfries Museum.
They include replicas of items such as a candlestick holder and inkwell and quills which Burns would have used during his time in the town.
The collection also includes Burns tartan, several books, a bust and commemorative plate.
They also have some Robert Burns Lego on display.
During lockdown last year the staff created a dedicated video trail featuring the many sites and locations associated with his life and works in the town.
It can be viewed at https://youtu.be/orCYDxHvWtI.
They hope to encourage locals and visitors to pop into the iCentre as they embark on the walking trail and Emma Blore, visitor services advisor at Dumfries iCentre, said: “With more than 60 years’ experience between us, we are always happy to answer questions about Robert Burns and his many connections to Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
“We know that due to current government restrictions we are not able to celebrate Burns Night in the same way this year with many events not able to take place.
“Our iCentre is the starting point for The Burns Trail and we would encourage locals and visitors to pop into our iCentre, have a look at our display and explore the many connections Burns has to the town and wider region.”
