I only clicked on this thread a few minutes ago and am amazed that my innocuous reminder regarding Burns Day should have stimulated such a lively discussion. GUEST is right insofar as it was irrelevant in the context of the thread in which I had posted. Maybe I should have opened a separate thread (as Giok did later).

But surely it was not being insular to draw attention to Robert Burns, that most universal of poets? And lest GUEST should think that the culture of Scotland is limited to a small corner of North Britain, he should be aware that there are well-attended Scottish Games held the length and breadth throughout the United States.

I have sung the songs of Robert Burns at several of these events, from New Hampshire to Florida.

As M.Ted notes I live in Florida and have heard few more stirring sounds than the massed pipe bands of Miami playing "Guantanamera" ....

Murray