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An Interview with Author Clark McGinn | Burns Night & Being Scottish
An Introduction
Clark McGinn, a true son of Ayrshire, boasts a deep and lifelong connection to the life and work of Robert Burns. Born and raised in Ayr, where he delivered his inaugural Burns Supper address at Ayr Academy, McGinn's passion for the Bard has taken him on an extraordinary global journey. With over 200 Immortal Memory speeches delivered across 32 cities in 17 countries, his travels have circled the globe nearly a dozen times.
Beyond his acclaimed scholarship on Robert Burns, including numerous peer-reviewed articles and his PhD research on the history of the Burns Supper, Clark McGinn has penned a delightful and insightful guide to all things Scottish. In "The Ultimate Guide to Being Scottish," McGinn embarks on a humorous and informative journey through the heart of Scottish culture. He playfully explores what truly defines a Scot, pondering whether it's the ability to identify a tartan from a distance, recite verses of "Auld Lang Syne," or possess an encyclopedic knowledge of single malts.

Being Scottish
What inspired you to write 'A Guide to Being Scottish'? Was there a particular gap in existing literature or a specific message you wanted to convey?
I spent a few years living and working in New York and many friends, colleagues and clients always wanted to talk about Scotland, whether they’d visited it or not. The book came out of those conversations.
Did writing this book change your own perspective on what it means to be Scottish?
It reminded me of the wide spread of local Scottish traditions, and how sad it would be if we lost our connection with Scotland’s rich history. Once these customs are broken, they rarely come back – and that’s a loss to us all.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in learning more about Scottish history and culture?
Go to a Burns Supper (formal or informal), a Ceilidh night, or get Murray Pittock’s wonderful book, Scotland: The Global History.
We of course have to ask, do you have a favorite tartan? If so, what is it and why is it special to you?
I’ve always worn Ancient Mackenzie: when I was preparing to address my first haggis (fifty years ago!!) my Dad’s mentor gave me his kilt and Prince Charlie jacket from his boyhood. It was Ancient Mackenzie and I’ve been loyal to it ever since.
Passion for Robert Burns
What sparked your initial interest in Robert Burns?
I was dragooned into it at school – Burns attended the school that became Ayr Academy for three weeks – so it was A BIG THING.
How has your engagement with Burns and Scottish culture evolved over time?
It started through Burns Suppers: in Ayr, then around Ayrshire, then further afield in Scotland. I graduated and moved to London, attending and performing at Burns Suppers inside and outside the M25, then in 1995, my first international Burns Supper in New York City. The second strand was in studying, my PhD from Glasgow was on the history of the Burns Supper and now I am an Honorary Research Fellow with the Centre for Robert Burns Studies.
What's your favorite Robert Burns poem or song, and why?
Song: ‘Flow Gently Sweet Afton’ was my Granny McGinn’s favourite (it’s a cliché but true!)

Poem: ‘The Twa Dogs’ such clever social satire out of the mouths of a posh pedigree pet and a tinker’s mutt.
You are former President of the Burns Club of London, how did you first become involved with the club and what did your role entail?
When our three daughters were older, we had more free time so Ann, my wife, and I joined the Burns Club of London because of its interesting mix of events – from singing recitals, to quizzes and of course they run a good Burns Supper! The year before your term as President you are Vice President and spend that time arranging the events for your Presidential year.
In 2014, you were awarded a PhD by the University of Glasgow for your research into the history of the Burns Supper, what were the most surprising discoveries you made during your research?
Handling the notes Revd Hamilton Paul made for the very first Burns Supper at Burns Cottage in 1801 literally sent shivers up and down my spine. The format he created (Friends meeting round the table, Address the Haggis, Toast to Burns) is totally recognisable.
Contrary to popular belief, women attended Burns Suppers (not often, but it’s not true to say that the Burns Supper has always only been a ‘stag’ dinner. The first Burns Supper to have female guests was in Albany, NY in 1828) [We are delighted to hear Albany lead the way given it's also home to our US base & our first international store] while the Caledonian Society of London had men and women sitting together from 1842. In the great international Burns Centenary of 1859, a quarter of the 1,200 burns Suppers were ‘mixed.’
The idea spread internationally very quickly: Burns Suppers are recorded in Jamaica in 1807, Bombay in 1810, Philadelphia and Baltimore in 1815, Australia in 1826, Canada in 1834, New Zealand in 1840 and South Africa in 1859.
Why do you believe celebrating Robert Burns and Scottish culture is important today?
At the general level, gathering people round the dinner table for friendship, toasts, poems and songs, and dancing is a wonderful antidote to the day-to-day problems we all face. At the particular level, thinking about how Burns used his words to promote fellowship is no bad thing.
Burns Supper Experiences
Can you share some of your most memorable experiences from Burns Suppers you've attended?
In Pasadena a couple of years ago I sat between an 84 year-old man and an 18-year-old woman – just exemplified the camaraderie of Burns Night.
Not a Burns Supper, but I was honoured to give the Eulogy to Burns at the National Service of Thanksgiving for his 250th Anniversary in 2009. Hearing the choristers sing Burns’ Scottish translations of two psalms will live with me forever.

Have you ever encountered any particularly unusual or amusing moments at a Burns Supper?
At Boston, the haggis came in balanced on its end like a rugby ball awaiting conversion! In Sweden, once, the Chef didn’t know anything about haggis, so he took it out of its casing before the Address…
A lovely old chap came up and asked very sincerely if he could be allowed to recite his favourite Burns Poem. I felt it would be rude to turn him down, so we made a pause in the proceedings so he could get up and perform. He did, but it was Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Smuggler’s Song.’ We didn’t break the news to him that it wasn’t Burns…
In the City of London, our piper was outside the venue gie’ing it laldy’ when the vicar from the next-door church charged out from his Evensong service in full robes to suggest (in rather unchristian terms) what he’d do to the pipes if the music didn’t cease forthwith.
What's the most unique venue you've ever experienced a Burns Supper in?
Sydney Opera House in 2008. An amazing venue (and of course Burns Night is in their midsummer which is really weird!)
How many Burns Suppers have you attended in your lifetime?
Attended – over 300, and performed at 240 of them – in 35 towns and cities, in 16 countries, travelling over 12 times round the globe!
What is your personal record for attending the most Burns Suppers in a single year?
10 is my normal but 2009 (the 250th anniversary of his birth) holds the record with 15
What message do you hope to convey to others through your own participation in Burns Suppers?
Robert Burns, through his poetry and the conviviality of the Burns Supper brings people together in the cold dark evenings of January. As he said himself:
Here's, a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad ye wish for mair, man?
Wha kens, before his life may end,
What his share may be of care, man.
Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man:
Believe me, happiness is shy,
And comes not ay when sought, man.
Do you have any upcoming Burns Supper plans you're particularly excited about?
It's like your children – you can’t have a favourite!! Last night’s was the best ever – until tonight’s!
A huge thank you to Clark for sharing his invaluable insights and captivating stories! Clark's enthusiasm for Burns Night is contagious, and his words serve as a reminder of the importance of celebrating friendship, community, and the enduring spirit of the Bard.
To delve deeper into the history of Burns Suppers, explore Clark's "The Burns Supper: A Concise History" or "The Burns Supper: A Comprehensive History"
Planning your own Burns Supper this year? We highly recommend his "The Ultimate Burns Supper Book: A Practical but Irreverent Guide to Scotland's Greatest Celebration" And for a general guide to all things Scottish, don't miss "The Ultimate Guide to Being Scottish".