Scots language stalwart Billy Kay is set to celebrate the life and language of Scots poet Robert Fergusson. Fergusson, who was much admired by Robert Burns, was born in 1750 and died in 1774, but he left some memorable verse in the Scots language. On Friday 9 April 2010, Kay will be hosting a special two-part event in the Central Reference Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Beginning at 7pm, the first half of the evening will be based around the album ‘Fergusson’s Auld Reekie’, with recitations from Kay and music from Rod Paterson, Dererk Hoy, and Norman Chalmers (of folk group ‘Jock Tamson’s Bairns’). The second half of the evening, called ‘O Aw the Airts’,  will centre on the Scottish Diaspora as described in Kay’s book ‘The Scottish World’ and will also include poetry and music in the Scots language. The event is free but tickets need to be booked beforehand so please contact the Central Library on 0131 242 8054 or email garry.gale@edinburgh.gov.uk