I am a big fan of history and literature but I'm afraid I'm rather disenchanted by the fare on offer to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
Firstly, Burns is without doubt one of the most significant poets in any language. Along with Shakespeare he is definitely one of the top two poets ever to have written in English - well, in my humble opinion at least.
His humanity and his lyricism are celebrated throughout the world with events in places as diverse as Moscow and Los Angeles. So you would think that this anniversary would be the opportunity for Scotland to mount a major celebration of the man and his work.
So what do we do?
We lump him in with other themes like whisky, the Enlightenment, golf and something rather nebulous called ancestry. I think it is rather sad that the anniversary of the birth of this great poet does not merit a celebration in his own right and he has to take his place along with other features in an extended tourist advert.
However, it's not too late and I have suggestions for celebrating the birthday this weekend.
Firstly, the BBC should carry a live outside broadcast from my late Aunt Annie's cottage at Holmston, near Ayr, where some old worthies will gather round the fire and re-enact the scenes from 'A Cotter's Saturday Night'.
This will be followed by a further event where twa dugs, preferably re-named Caesar and Luath for the day, will sit on a hill and discuss the credit crunch.
On Sunday evening Scottish Television will bring Jack McLaughlan out of retirement and have a special 250th anniversary Burns Night 'Thingumyjig' special.
That's what I call a celebration fit for the national bard. Have a good one Rabbie.
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