YOUNGSTERS from Dumfries and Galloway stole the show at the national secondary competition organised by the Robert Burns World Federation.
The local contestants put in a series of outstanding performances at the weekend and came away with a haul of individual medals and trophies, as well as being named the overall winning team.
And the highlight was Rowan Hastie, from Sanquhar, being crowned Scotland’s Young Burnsian 2023 as the best performer in the contest.
Other winners on the day included Rose Byers and Harris Morford, both of Lockerbie Academy; Niamh Stainthorpe from Ruthwell, who attends St Joseph’s College and Ella McTeir, of Sanquhar.
Fiona Evans, president of Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association (D&GBA), is blown away by all their achievements and said: “I was absolutely delighted to hear that the performers representing Dumfries and Galloway Burns Association swept the board, with a fantastic array of medals and silverware: seven golds, four silvers and two bronzes.
“They were the winning team for each discipline: verse speaking, singing, instrumental and bagpiping, which has never been achieved before, an absolutely amazing achievement. It wasn’t a surprise that they were then awarded the overall winning team.
“To top off the day, Rowan Hastie was chosen as best verse speaker and best singer and was the awarded the prestigious title of Young Burnsian, which is the best performer over all the disciplines from each team throughout Scotland. This is a fantastic achievement.”
She added: “I am so proud of each and everyone of the kids and their teachers, mentors and tutors who have supported and encouraged these kids to take part.
“Robert Burns and Scottish culture is so important to our history and our competition is a great opportunity for these kids to showcase what they have learned.”
