Dumfriesshire poet's surprise Downing Street visit provides unforgettable Burns Night

It was a surprise Burns Night that poet Hugh McMillan will never forget – representing Scottish poetry at 10 Downing Street.

The retired history teacher from Penpont was taken aback by an unexpected invite to read his work on Wednesday at the event celebrating Scottish culture.

Before he headed for London and the Prime Minister’s residence, Hugh told the Standard: “It’s a bit of a surprise as my politics don’t exactly agree with the present UK Government’s ... and that is clear in a lot of my work.”