On behalf of Greenock Burns Club I extend a warm welcome to all members … and to all non-members. If you are not yet a member of the oldest Burns Club in the world please click here to join.

It is a privilege to accept the role of President of this most venerable of Burns clubs. I am a retired accountant, having spent my working life in Glasgow and I live in Langbank with my wife Maria. 

I joined the Club because I enjoy reciting Burns’ poetry. My first recitation was “To A Mouse” in 1965 and since then I have recited various poems at Burns Suppers and on many occasions.  It is great fun and always a challenge to bring Burns’ works to life.  I would strongly recommend it!  While I enjoy reciting I have also delivered a few Immortal Memories.

Since joining the Club I have developed my understanding of the life of Burns. He is a fascinating character with a deep knowledge of many subjects including the natural world, literature, history and the current affairs of his time.  Studying Burns gives us his perspective in all these areas.

In our club we enjoy poems, music and songs by Burns and other Scottish poets. We also have talks on various matters of interest.  

Our club actively promotes the study of Burns and his works by encouraging local schools to put pupils forward for competitions and by working with local secondary schools to host their own Burns Supper each year.

We are also involved with helping the Robert Burns World Federation to use the works of Robert Burns to help memory recall in those living with dementia.

We have developed a varied and interesting programme of events for the coming year and I hope you will all enjoy our activities as much as I enjoyed last year's.

“And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o’ thine!”

David G E Brown
President