The Robert Burns Connection

The founders of Royal & Plaid, Angela & Campbell Docherty and their daughter Luciana were delighted to be invited to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to The Burns Supper at Burns Cottage, Alloway on 25 January 2023.

The supper is based on the ‘first’ event of 1801 when 9 gentleman met in the cottage in remembrance of their friend, Robert Burns.

Campbell and his daughter Luciana are a direct descendant of Robert Burns and Elizabeth Paton, through Robert’s first born child, Elizabeth Burns. It is his poem ‘A Poet’s Welcome to his Love Begotten Daughter’ that celebrates her birth and is the first instance that entitled him to the venerable appellation of ‘Father’.

Luciana recited the poem to the audience and is the youngest performer ever to attend the dinner. 

Campbell performed ‘An ode to Robert Burns’ ending the recital with the following words; 

Burns is one of the reasons why I am proud to be a father, like my father Ian and a Scot – with all the mass of contradictions that goes into that complex identity. We normally keep it all hidden, beneath sober, dour exteriors, pretending to be respectable Chartered Surveyors, Musuem Curators or Purveyors of Fine Tartan – I’m sporting my Auld Lang Syne tartan trews this evening, but we all like to think we have a bit of the poet’s soul inside us - a hidden romantic side. And Burns helps us express that and let it out from time to time, like tonight. Robert Burns would become Scotlands first superstar and an icon of his time, producing the warmest, richest, most tender and most sensuous love songs that any poet has given to the world. 

Ladies & Gentleman, it has been an honour. This is undoubtedly the most unique Burns celebration taking place around the world this evening. For myself, family and friends to join all of you, 264 years to the day, in the birthplace of Scotlands national bard is truly a privilege. 

Campbell Docherty - Burns Cottage – 25/01/23 

The Gregg Fiddle that Robert learned to dance to was played by world renowned fiddler Alastair McCulloch. The names of those original 9 gentleman who attended in 1801 and those attending in 2023 appear on the programme which is placed in the Musuem archive to become part of the history of Burns Cottage. 

The Docherty family’s direct descendancy can be traced here and its those strong roots to Scotland and the countrys favourite bard, that typify the passion the couple have for heritage continues and is exemplified through the classic collections of Royal & Plaid.