Sturgeon guest of honour at Keith Burns Supper
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SCOTLAND'S first minister was in Keith at the weekend as special guest of the SNP's Moray branch to celebrate the national bard.
Guest of honour Nicola Sturgeon said she enjoyed a "lovely night of great company, food and entertainment" at Keith's Longmore Hall on Saturday, February 1, when she was accompanied by a number of her ministerial team for the group's annual Burns Supper.
Moray SNP members and councillors past and present were in good cheer during the night of ceremony, tributes, music and food to celebrate the enduring spirit of Scotland's most famous son.
Ms Sturgeon enjoyed locally-made Burns Night fare and read the integral Immortal Memory during the event.
The leader was accompanied by her deputy, Keith Brown MSP, who gave the Toast to the Lassies – to which Christine McKelvie MSP delivered the reply.
The party chiefs were warmly welcomed to Moray by local SNP MSP Richard Lochhead and recent General Election SNP candidate Laura Mitchell, from Keith, closed the night with a vote of thanks.
Traditional singer-songwriter Sheena Wellington delivered a rousing toast to Scotland. And it was a special date in a hectic week of Burns Supper entertaining for Keith's own young trio of musical ambassadors, The Country Quines, who played two sets of traditional tunes and a Burns medley. Fochabers Arc Sessions and the Simmers Family rounded off the night's entertainment.
Moray Council convener and SNP Councillor Shona Morrison (Fochabers Lhanbryde) said: "We were delighted that the first minister could attend despite her incredibly busy schedule. Unsurprisingly, it was a sold-out event. It was a great night.
"The first minister was accompanied at the top table by Keith Brown MSP, Christina Mckelvie MSP, Richard Lochhead MSP, Sheena Wellington, The Country Quines, and Eilidh and Dodi Simmers.
"The first minister was incredibly impressed by the young entertainers who played, sang and recited Burns and herself paid tribute to Robert Burns in the Immortal Memory.
"Local restaurant Boogie Woogie did an incredible job of catering, managing to serve 240 people a delicious meal.
"Overall it was a great evening for Moray SNP."
Ms McKelvie tweeted afterwards: "The Country Quines were wonderful, the Simmers Family absolutely bursting with talent. Wonderfully warm audience too. Thank you Moray SNP."
