Honorary Presidents

The title of Honorary President is given to the person who has proposed the Immortal Memory at our Annual Celebration.
The Hon. President is an ambassador and figurehead of the club.

Our Honorary President for 2025 is journalist and broadcaster, Professor Brian Taylor.
Brian is well-known as the former Political Editor of BBC Scotland. He is a columnist for the Herald and a regular broadcast commentator on politics and current affairs. He maintains an avid interest in literature, theatre and the arts: particularly the work of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. He has delivered the Immortal Memory at countless Burns Suppers.   

Before joining the BBC, Brian worked in newspapers for eight years including six years as a lobby correspondent at Westminster. He has lectured on politics and identity in Washington, Stockholm, Madrid, Edinburgh, London and throughout Germany. He has been an honorary Professor in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh and is currently an Honorary Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow.  

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Edinburgh Napier University in 2008, from Abertay University in 2010 and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Dundee University in 2015.  

Brian is married with two sons and maintains contact with the realities of Scottish life through passionate support of Dundee United Football Club!

Following his outstanding Immortal Memory at our 2026 Annual Celebration, Brian said

“For me, it is about the poetry.  Not any attendant topic.  I believe that Burns' work remains relevant because it speaks to the continuing human condition.  

While addressing your members and their guests, I could sense history in the atmosphere. You are, after all, the Mother Club. But I was pleased to find, in addition, that there was a genuine appreciation of Burns as a writer. His deft skill with words, his subtle satire, his fellow feeling.  Thank you for that - and for the single honour you have rendered to me.”

We are honoured to welcome Brian Taylor as our Honorary President for 2026.