This month, members and guests of the Burns Club of London joined PresidentJudy Tayler-Smith, BEM BA PGDip FSAScot on a 'Scottish Themed Walk' around the City of London and Fleet Street. Qualified City of London Guide Murray Craig, was encyclopaedic in his knowledge and was highly entertaining with clever anecdotes and an engaging delivery. Murray extolled the virtues of looking up, and when we did, we saw and heard about Mary, Queen of Scots, a statue of woman representing Edinburgh on top of Smithfield Meat Market, William Wallace, Dr Watson, Oor Wullie, plus, multiple references to Scotland and other famous Scottish people.
Murray who is proud of his Scottish heritage was the Clerk of the Chamberlain's Court at the City of London Corporation for 25 years which involved granting the Freedom of the City of London to 1000's people including many notable personalities. President Judy, who also worked for the Corporation has known Murray for almost 30 years. Murray boasted that he could tell us every Scottish Cup Winner dating back to 1874! That boast was tested by Past President John McCheyne and it proved to be correct!
Following the walk, we finished up in the Williams Room inside the famous atmospheric chophouse and tavern, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street which was built in 1667. The vaulted cellars are even older, dating back to a 13th-century Carmelite monastery. There we had a splendid lunch to finish off the day and a chance to catch up with old friends and new.
