Around 20 of the residents of Mair Street Sheltered Housing Complex were given a Burns lunch in the residents' day centre to celebrate the bard's 250th anniversary.

Refurbishment & maintenance specialist Connaught organised the lunch as a thank you to the residents in advance of a major improvement programme of work being undertaken in the area.

Residents tucked in to a hearty lunch of haggis and tatties and then took their turn in reciting songs and poetry from Robert Burns.

GHA resident John McComb received a surprise treat from Connaught as he was presented with a traditional Burns supper in his Mair Street home.

Housebound for over ten years and unable to take part in the celebrations with the rest of the residents, 80 year old John enjoyed his lunch together with a dram of whisky in his home. Stephen Bell from Connaught donned a specially designed high-visibility kilt whilst Ian MacDonald piped the haggis in to John's home.


John said: "This is a real surprise. The last thing I expected was a piper coming into my lounge to deliver this special treat."

Norman Campbell, GHA housing support officer, said: "We regularly have Christmas lunches for residents but this is the first time we have celebrated Burns Night. All of the residents are delighted with the gesture and really appreciate Connaught for coming up with the idea and organising this for them."

As part of GHA's ongoing capital investment works partnership which being is undertaken by Connaught in the south and west of the city, Mair Street sheltered housing centre's and the residents' homes are being upgraded with a new insulated render system.

Kerry Condron, Connaught customer experience manager, said: "We appreciate that there can be some disruption when improvement work takes place and we wanted to thank the GHA customers for their support and cooperation in advance of the works being carried out to their homes and the day centre."