Cowan goes back to school to celebrate Burns

THE broadcaster and newspaper columnist, Tam Cowan, is making a return trip to his primary school in Motherwell, as part of BBC Scotland’s celebration of Burns Day.

In What Burns Did for Me – being broadcast at 10pm on BBC Two Scotland, on the 25th of this month – Cowan visits his old primary school in Motherwell, attempting to re-create the Burns performances of his youth for today’s pupils.

Says a BBC media release: “Despite being a former triple winner of the Burns Federation certificate, his efforts have disastrous results, prompting him to try to redeem himself by seeking advice from Burns’ enthusiasts and specialists before his grand finale in the heart of Burns Country.”

The BBC’s coverage also includes ‘In Search of Highland Mary’, that sees singer and actress Lorraine McIntosh explore the mystery surrounding Mary Campbell, a young girl who allegedly agreed to emigrate with Burns to a new life in the West Indies but who died shortly before their planned departure.

In Search of Highland Mary is on BBC Radio Scotland at 2pm, also on the 25th.

There are several other programmes being broadcast on radio and TV celebrating Burns, including on BBC ALBA, with fans of the Bard being invited to enjoy a Burns poem every day of this year via bbc.co.uk/robertburns.