Alexandria Burns Club Annual Festival
Bonhill & Alexandria Masonic Temple
Saturday 24th January 2026
Members and guests enjoyed another excellent annual festival, held as usual in the magnificent Main Hall of the Bonhill and Alexandria Masonic Temple on Gilmour Street. If there is a better venue for a Burns Supper, I have yet to see it
Guests and Artists (L to R)
Tom Brown, Euan McCaughey, Richard Connor, Mark Critchley Dumbarton Burns Club, Russell Glendinning,
Donald Nelson, Pres. George McCaughey, Rev. Mark Johnstone, Alex Ferguson,
Alistair MacFarlane, John McKenzie, Norman McPhie
Our Chairman, George McCaughey, led in a fine company including Mark Critchley, Chairman of Dumbarton Burns Club, and our Artistes for the evening, more of whom to follow.
After extending a warm welcome George had the sad duty of reporting those of our number who had passed in the last year. A moment of silence and reflection was held in memory of Dougie Wallace,William ‘Biff’ Crichton, Tom Carruthers, Brian Wilson and Joe Pentland.
Three friends of the Club were then bestowed with Honorary membership for their support over the years-Robert Mills,our caterer for as long as many of us can remember (now retired), Jim O’Hare, our harmonica player and a regular contributor over the years, also Andy Gordon our superb accordionist . A nice touch and a bit of a twist was the presentation to each of them of an honorary member's version of our new club badge (also presented to the Club’s three other honorary members Andrew Lockhart, David Bruce and Malky Gilmour).
The Haggis received its usual grand entrance, accompanied by our Piper for the evening, Norman McPhie and was then impressively addressed by the far travelled Russell Glendinning, President of Dunblane Burns Club.
Piper Norman McPhie
A
fter a most enjoyable meal (provided by Alex Graham Caterers) and the Royal Toast our evening got under way with, of course,the Immortal Memory. We were honoured to have with us this year the Reverend Mark Johnstone, minister of Glasgow Cathedral who cleverly used the recurring themes of people, pubs and poltergeists in Burns works to convey his toast to the Bard, ending soulfully in song with a rendition of ‘A Man’s a man’.
President George McCaughey with Rev. Mark Johnstone (Immortal Memory)
Next up was a group of local musicians (including our own Secretary,Tom Brown) curiously named the Elm Water Bottom Band. Curious name but a fine set of familiar Burns songs, well delivered and received both at this point and later in the evening.
The Elm Water Bottom Band
(Richard Connor, Tom Brown, Scott Ewing
and Alistair McFarlane)
Another local man and well kent face John McKenzie from Gartocharn then gave us a superb Toast to John Barleycorn delivered in his own inimitable style.
John McKenzie (John Barleycorn)
To round up the first part of the evening (also appearing later in proceedings) Andy Gordon treated us to a fine medley of accordion tunes including his own captivating version of ‘A Red,Red Rose’.
Andy Gordon on Accordion
Norman McPhie led us back in to proceedings with a selection of piping tunes seamlessly sewn together.
Donald Nelson’s Toast to The Lasses followed the second Elm Water set. Donald, who had shone at our St Andrew’s Night, again displayed his formidable and unique storytelling skills in his appreciation of the fairer sex.
Donald Nelson (Toast to the Lasses)
Russell Glendinning then gave us the rare opportunity to experience Burns’ difficult ‘Address to the Deil’- no easy task but handled by Russell with aplomb.
Russell Glendinning (Address to the Haggis and the De'il)
Another wee difference this year was a prize draw where a speciality malt whisky (distilled on the farm and lands once worked by Burns) a Lochlea 6 year old, was on offer. Funds raised will be channelled back in to the Club. The draw was won by Tom Biglie.
After further contributions from Andy Gordon and Norman McPhie - step forward Euan McCaughey with a blistering, theatrical and flawless rendition of Tam o’ Shanter. Weel done Euan!
Euan McCaughey (Tam o'Shanter)
The ubiquitous polymath Tom Brown rounded up the evening with a grateful Address to the Artistes.
Tom Brown (Artists)
As ever, we parted company after joining in Auld Lang Syne. So, these were the artistes who entertained us this year, but once again, it would be remiss of us not to conclude without mentioning the excellent company of members and guests, who gave the best of order. Sincere thanks to all for helping make this such a successful evening.
Looking forward to our forthcoming St. Andrew's Night dinner, which this year will take place on Friday 27th November 2026, in the Vale of Leven Bowling Club. Also next year’s supper, which will take place on Saturday 23rd January 2027.
An album of additional pictures from the event is available on our Facebook page. Click below to view.
Credit to Tommy Gilmour for photos.
