The well was known for its supposed healing qualities in the 1700s, and it was where poet Robert Burns drank from in 1796 shortly before his death from rheumatic fever.
Weather meant that the service had to take place half a mile away from the well in Ruthwell Church — and Pipe Major and past president of Burns Howff Club Callum Watson had to play at the door as he gathered the assembly to Burns’ ‘A Man’s a Man’.
SSCBA president Mike Duguid welcomed everyone to the gathering before passing over to Rev Gerald Moule, locum minister for Cummertrees, Mouswald and Ruthwell Congregation, for the religious aspect of the service.
Rev Moule read scriptures, and led those in attendance in prayer before ‘French’ was sung, from Psalm 121.
Mr Duguid then introduced Bobby Kane, president of the Robert Burns World Federation, who gave an oration before his wife Karen, and HM Lord Lieutenant of Dumfriesshire laid a wreath.
SSCBA vice president Gordon Johnston then offered thanks to everyone who had contributed to the success of the service and to all that attended despite the rain.
All guests were then welcomed to the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries for the after social service with entertainment provided by local musicians.
