Robert Burns 1759 - 1796

You found us. Welcome to the Club’s home in cyberspace.

Our all-male association is based loosely on the Tarbolton Bachelors' Club, founded by the Bard, his brother Gilbert and some lads of the Tarbolton parish as “a diversion for the weary man worn down by necessary labours of life”. We meet on the first Thursday of the month between September and June aboard Canada’s Naval Memorial, HMCS Sackville, a venue ideal for those of us with a nautical background, to celebrate the life and works of Robert Burns and to promote and preserve Scottish heritage.

The Tarbolton Bachelors' Club was a debating society. We follow that founding tenet loosely; discussion gets quite lively at times. We Scots, after all, love to argue and debate.

After the business of the Club has ended, a typical meeting adjourns to “entertainment”, an hour or two of good fellowship and bonhomie. Members are encouraged to “strut their stuff”, to recite, sing or talk about a subject of their choosing. Our male voice choir, dubbed the Awfiest Choir; by the Club’s founders, may practice a song or two. Every Club member is also a member of the Awfiest Choir, we are, after all, here for a good time. We may hear about the delights of a day spent in Rothesay, or go roamin' in the gloamin', or emphasize that a man’s a man for a’ that. The “other Robert”, Service, may turn up now and then! Did I mention that the Wardroom on Sackville has a bar?

On the nearest weekend to January 25th every year, we host an all male Burns Supper, a formal event which is always a sellout. The Ladies, who put up with us, drive us to and from meetings, look after us and generally keep us in line throughout the year, are not forgotten. In the spring, we celebrate Rabbie’s great love, Jean Armour, by holding the “Jean Armour Night”. The girls are wined, dined and danced by the Club, an event anticipated by all. The keynote toast of the evening is to Jean and her devotion to Robert.

Again, welcome, have a look around, get in touch if you have any questions. We welcome Member’s guests on meeting nights. After three attendances, the guest is eligible for full membership after a vote among the Members.

Innis Campbell

President, Halifax Burns Club