LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Brian South honored by Rotary Club in Scotland


Past President of Rotary Club of Tranent Jim Tait (left) presents the Quaich to Past President of Rotary Club of Moraga Brian South (right) at the Burns Supper in Tranent, Scotland. Photo provided

Moraga Rotarian Brian South was invited to deliver the Immortal Memory speech at the Burns Supper given recently at the Royal Musselburgh in Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland. This dinner is held annually by the Rotary Club of Tranent in honor of the renowned 18th century poet Robert Burns, who is remembered as the Bard of Scotland and whose work had worldwide impact. The annual Burns Supper is also a celebration of Scottish culture, complete with bagpiping, a meal with haggis, toasts, recitations of Burns' poetry, and Scottish musicians and entertainment.

South's speech was carefully researched, and dealt mainly with the poet's popularity in the United States in the mid-1800s. He also donated to the Rotary Club of Tranent an authentic 19th century book of Burns' poetry with an inscription by a daughter as a present for her father in 1888.

South's speech also described interesting details on the connections between Burns and President Abraham Lincoln, who was known to have read and memorized Burns poems and to recite them throughout his life.

Rotary Club of Tranent connected to Moraga when each club hosted Youth Exchange students in their respective countries, and Eilidh Tait, daughter of Tranent Rotary Past President Jim Tait, was sponsored by Moraga Rotary to attend Campolindo for a year. During COVID lockdowns, the two Rotary Clubs renewed their connection via Zoom, when each club provided a program at one another's meetings. Jim Tait even related the story of their family's grandfather who won the golf Open Championship three times in the late 1800s. Rotary Club of Tranent also generously donated an engraved Quaich, a traditional Scottish drinking vessel which will be awarded by Moraga Rotary to each year's new Club President.

Brian South has Scottish ancestors as a descendant of the Stewart Clan and he wore the appropriate Tartan tie. He was able to spend a few days as a guest of the Taits, and he enjoyed Scottish hospitality, local cuisine, and unusually dry weather!