Last night was the annual Robert Burns Dinner hosted by the Friends of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC. The event organizers this year, Friends members Maureen and David Blencoe, did a fantastic job, putting together a very fun and social evening for everyone. We had 80+ people in attendance, which was a sold-out gathering for us.

I went into town early yesterday before the dinner. Fellow X Marker David Pope had arranged for me to give a personal tour of our museum to a group of friends from the MacMillan clan society. I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful group of people who were all very interested in tartan, highland dress, and what our museum has to offer. We were forced to end the tour eventually so everyone could get dressed and ready for the dinner.

The Burns Dinner itself was held in Tartan Hall at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Franklin (a short walk from the museum). It was a fun, lighthearted evening, with piping, presentations, dancing, door prizes, live music, and some great food.

Here are some of the photos I snagged on my camera. There were a few other X Markers in attendance, so I hope others will post their photos.

Here we have two of our museum's Board of Trustees members, chatting before the dinner. To the left is Chuck Coburn in the Carolina tartan. On the right is Jim Akins in the Gordon tartan (husband to Kathie, whom many of you may have talked to on the phone when you call the museum).


Five of the seven members of our Board of Trustees were present at the dinner. Here is Janet Greene, current chair of the board (with other board members behind her) recognizing recently retired board member Carl McSween for his many years of service to the museum. Carl received an engraved pocket watch.


Waiting for the meal to be served, we have X Mark's own Ryan Ross seated with Lamar Britt of Ferguson Britt sporrans.


A gaggle of MacMillans.

I love this photo, as it shows three different MacMillan tartans. From left to right we have the Old MacMillan, the Hunting MacMillan, and the Dress MacMillan.

Ryan was asked to give the Immortal Memory speech. It was his first time and he did a fantastic job! I wouldn't be surprised if he's asked to do it again next year. :-)


Some of the door prizes included a pair of pillows made from hand woven Town of Franklin tartan.


After dinner, Ryan and his girlfriend Abby instructed us in how to do a couple of simple social dances.




More pics to follow...