Dumfriesshire poet receives Burns Night invitation to Downing Street

Dumfriesshire poet Hugh McMillan has received an unexpected invitation to attend 10 Downing Street tomorrow.

He has been asked to make the journey down to London to read his work at an event celebrating Scottish culture on Burns Night.

Hugh, who lives in Penpont, said: “It’s a bit of a surprise as my politics don’t exactly agree with the present UK Government’s ... and that is clear in a lot of my work.

“It’s an honour to represent Scottish poetry though, and to make the 129 miles to London that Bonny Prince Charlie couldn’t.”

Hugh works in English and Scots and often explores issues of heritage and history.

He is looking forward to entertaining at 10 Downing Street with the poem, Whit if Britain wis the Richt way Roond?

Since retiring from teaching history, he has enjoyed a rewarding few years with his poetry.

He has published four poetry books, won several commissions, plus had prestigious positions such as Writer in Residence for the Harvard summer school, Poetry Ambassador for the Scottish Poetry Library and was editor of their annual Best of Scottish Poetry Anthology.

He is soon to feature in the region’s newest literary festival, Kirkcudbright Book Week, with an event on the great Galloway poet Willie Neill and a poetry recital with other regional writers this Saturday evening.