Burns celebrations blasted as excuse for booze-up

MODERN DAY Burns celebrations have been criticised for being little more than an excuse for a booze-up, an expert on the bard has said.

Billy Kay believes that traditional Burns nights have been ousted by a newer style of celebration - and that it is an insult to the Ayrshire-born poet’s memory.

The expert claims that those celebrating the anniversary are doing little to commemorate the life and work of Burns, and that events are becoming less and less literary-focused.

The Globe Inn in Dumfries - a regular haunt of Rabbie’s - will be hosting a number of ‘ten-minute’ Burns suppers, with an accompanying mobile phone application to assist people in creating Burns suppers at home.

The management team at the Globe Inn are keen to educate celebrants about Burns as well as ensure people have a good time.

Several people opposed Mr Kay’s view, claiming that he was out of touch and that Burns himself would have preferred a raucous celebration as opposed to something staid and serious.