You've done a lot in your life. Is there any particular job you have the fondest memories of?
Looking back, my time in the Merchant Navy was fantastic.
I joined when I was 17 and before I was 18 I had been to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and ended up in South Africa, South America and Cuba.
I was actually loading demerara sugar in Cuba during the missile crisis on a ship called Fresno City. Planes were constantly zooming in low over our heads and a British frigate was on its way to protect us as anti-Fidel Castro rebels had threatened to sink any trading ships.

How did you get from the Merchant Navy to being a Burns enthusiast?
I used to lecture in security so I learned to speak in public. In 1983, I was asked to do Burns' 'Toast to the Lassies'.
I made up a version, spent a fortnight memorising it, added a few jokes and it just took off from there. His composition, compassion and philosophy is just tremendous. So I didn't consciously get into Burns, I just fell into his work but I am glad I did.

Do you have any favourite poems?
I think 'To A Mouse' is definitely my favourite as it shows the compassion Burns had for his fellow mortals.
Many people have chased a mouse out of their house or called an exterminator. But when Burns disturbed a mouse's nest while he was ploughing a field, he felt sorry for what he had done and wrote those wonderful words.
It teaches us how to look after the defenceless who have the same right to be on this earth as we have.

Does the work of Burns still have relevance today?
Absolutely. If you look at Shakespeare, he tended to write about all these royals but Burns is a real people's poet.
He wrote about things which everyone could experience from falling in love to having nits in your hair.
Plus, look at Auld Lang Syne. That is over 250 years old and is known and recognised the world over. Never mind The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, that is what I would call success!

Are you pleased Kirkintilloch honours Burns in Harestanes?
Of course. A lot of the street names were influenced by Burns.
We have streets like Burns Road, Alloway Drive, Armour Court and Ellisland Drive.
Maybe a lot of people don't realise the various links.

What were your plans for this year's Burns Day?
I was asked to be a speaker at the farming community of Stirlingshire and East Dunbartonshire's annual Burns Supper in Fintry.
The idea was to do a 15 to 20 minute spot in front of 70 farmers and guests comprising of stories and jokes, introduce the Burns concept to agriculture and finish up with a formal toast.
It was similar to a sermon except the objective was to create amusement and entertainment.

Do you think it is important to have a lot of interests?
It is very important to keep busy.
There is a danger when you reach my age of doing nothing and that is a terrible habit to break.
I've always said if you want something done, ask a busy man as you will get nowhere with someone who is lazy.

Getting to know you
First car: Vauxhall Wyvern
First record: Three Steps to Heaven by Eddie Cochran
Book currently reading: Colin Montgomerie biography and collection of work by Robert Service
Favourite TV programme: Coronation Street
Favourite holiday destination: I enjoyed Jamaica but anywhere at all can be great. It depends who you are with.
Famous person most like to meet: JFK...or Goldie Hawn