Braw, braw lads on Yarrow-braes,

They wander thro’ the blooming heather;

But Yarrow braes, nor Ettrick Shaws

Can match the lads o’ Galla Water.

THROUGHOUT the world at this time of year a farmer’s son from Ayrshire is being honoured, remembered and celebrated.

But few will quite capture the spirit of Rabbie Burns as well as the Braw, braw lads o’ Galla Water.

Now in its 108th year, Galashiels Burns Club continues to serve up a memorable and fitting epitaph to Scotland’s, perhaps the World’s, greatest poet.

And Friday’s dinner will long be remembered as one of their finest.

Chairman Robert Fairburn embodied the spirit of the Bard by bringing together a top table of speakers, like the great man’s poetry, to humour, enlighten and provoke.

And his supporting cast of performers delighted the packed Volunteer Hall with recitation, music and song.

Alan Henry piped in the Haggis, held aloft by Bearer Tom Cass, and as David Sanderson’s sgian-dubh tore into this Chieftian of the Puddin’ Race, the spiced aroma awoke the proud Scot in each and every one of the 200 or so guests.

This gathering’s faces may grow older each January but their love of Burns and the bond which brings them together remains youthful.

It was with impeccable respect that they paused for a minute to remember the pilgrims of poetry who weren’t sitting by their side this year.

No Burns Supper can proceed without a feed a water. Kail soup, haggis, stirk pie and kebbuck filled the bellies while drams of that other national treasure were carefully measured.

Jim Hogg’s rousing rendition of Star of Robbie Burns awoke the diners from their slumber before Malcolm McEwan brought along his Hawick humour and masterful melodies for A Man’s A Man.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond has been dispensing justice from the bench for almost 20 years, and is rightly regarded as an authority on Scots Law.

But the QC from Tweeddale is also well versed in Scots poetry.

Sheriff Drummond delivered a felicitous foray into the Bard’s life and legacy with an enjoyable and thought-provoking Immortal Memory.

“The most significant thing is that we are all gathered here this evening to celebrate the birth of an Ayrshire farmer – we are not talking about a man born into money and opportunity, but the son of a struggling tenant farmer.”

Burns was no lawyer or preacher, but his condemnation of immorality and crime in the name of God, as Sheriff Drummond pointed out, continue to resonate with terrorism rife around the world.

“… the words of Burns are as important today as they ever were”, concluded the Sheriff.

Theatrics followed as David Anderson produced a prop-fuelled rendition of Tam O’ Shanter. The drunken journey of Tam was brilliantly brought to life with accompanying hats, wigs, horns, axes and even a Melrose rugby shirt.

Malcom McEwan returned to the stage for more hauntingly beautiful renditions from the Greatest Hits of Burns, including I’ll Meet Thee on the Lea Rig and Now Westlin’ Winds.

Hawick lawyer Rory Bannerman is highly regarded for his defensive, and often compelling, courtroom narration, but on Friday the horserace owner won over jury with a tip for the 1pm at Haydock the following day.

Did Shades of Midnight win? It didn’t really matter, as the rugby-loving legal eagle attracted plenty of laughs and applause as he stoked up the Hawick-Gala rivalry his tales of toilets and pub quizzes.

Mr Bannerman’s insights into the loves and losses of Burns was a joy, before he invited the hall to toast The Lassies.

Dave Darling dusted down his fiddle to fill the brief interlude with toe-tapping Bard tunes.

Galashiels Academy headteacher Kevin Ryalls reminded the audience of the far-reaching influence of Burns in his globe-trotting delivery of the Land O’ Cakes, Caledonia.

Mr Ryalls, while recalling his own travels, enthused how our national Bard transcends cultures and borders.

With the witching hour come and gone, this memorable homage to a farmer’s son from Ayrshire was fittingly concluded by Kenny Dobson’s Vote of Thanks, paying tribute the growing stature of the Galashiels club, the organisers, the speakers, entertainers and, of course, Rabbie Burns.

Robert Fairburn, who followed in the footsteps of his father Arthur by becoming president and chairman, was a proud man as he belted out Auld Lang Syne with his guests at the top table.

Mr Fairburn told us: "It is an honour to be part of such a distinguished and well-respected organisation as the Galashiels Burns Club.

"I thought each and everyone of tonight's speakers and entertainers were excellent.

"My father was the first English-born president of this club, thankfully my parents had moved to Scotland before I was even thought about."

Well watered, well fed, and well versed, this was a happy and satisfied company who bid farewell to the 2016 Galashiels Burns Supper.

With one eye on the past they would make their way home – the other eye already looking towards the 109th sitting of this appreciation society.