Clan Kennedy

Chapter 11

May 6th
Burns Land
Alloway

The Presidential limosuine pulled up outside Burns Cottage. Today Jack and Jackie would be visiting Burns Land. The birthplace and places notably associated with Scotland's bard Robert Burns. Jack assisted the pregnant Jackie out of the car before they greeted Tom McMynn, the curator of the birthplace museum. 

"Welcome to Burns Land, Mr President" Tom smiled as he shook hands with Jack. "It's a pleasure to be here" Jack replied, letting Jackie shake the curator's hand. 

"It's wonderful to meet you" Jackie added as she took her place next to her husband. Mr McMynn was truly honoured to be meeting the First Couple of the United States. "It's a long way to come from America to our small little town of Alloway" Mr McMynn joked, making Jack and Jackie laugh. 

"Well, the Burns poetry is beautifully written" Jackie commented. Mr McMynn was shocked. "I didn't know you knew some of his work" Mr McMynn said, as he led Jack and Jackie to the entrance. 

Jackie nodded. "She sings Auld Lang Syne every year" Jack exclaimed before Mr McMynn smiled. 

He led them round the back to the entrance of the cottage before taking them through room by room. Jackie was fondly interested, meanwhile to Jack this was all new. 

After a tour of the cottage, the Kennedys were driven to the Brig o' Doon, just down the road to watch a reanactment of Burn's most famous poem: Tam o' Shanter. Jack and Jackie took their seats beside the river, and under the cover of the bandstand in the gardens; they listened to the narrator boom out the poem. 

However, as he described Tam o' Shanter riding her horse Meg over the bridge, Jack and Jackie spotted a man dressed like Tam, riding a horse being chased by women dressed as witches and men dressed as warlocks. 

As he galloped over the bridge, the poem was finished and the narrator and actors were given a standing applause by the First Couple. "I'm speechless" Jack grinned as he applauded the performance. He then whispered to Jackie: "You need to teach me to ride like that. So we can act it out for Caroline and John". 

Nobody heard except Jackie. She giggled before continuing to applaud.