Since it formed 183 years ago, the Irvine Burns Club has enjoyed a mixed postbag.
From Charles Dickens to Theodore Roosevelt, hundreds of notable names have written to the institution which pays homage to cult 19th century Scottish national poet Robert Burns in the Ayrshire region he once passed his promiscuous days in.
Theodore Roosevelt, who was US President for much of the first decade of the 20th century, said he was a "great admirer" of Robert Burns in his letter to the Club
Instructed to respond to fellowship invitations in their own handwriting, the cast of correspondents have been collected in Dear Mister Burns, an exhibition in the Club’s Wellwood Museum and Harbour Arts Centre which draws to a close this weekend in line with the finale of Homecoming Scotland.
"Shortly after the Club was founded in 1826, it decided to recognise prominent national and international figures by inviting them to become Honorary Members," explains Club President Billy Dickson.
"It asked them to write their letter of acceptance in their own hand. The tradition has continued to the present day."
Sean Connery apologised for his response to the invitation being delayed by work on a new Indiana Jones film
Some of the figures included are divisive – Margaret Thatcher and various Scottish First Ministers spring to mind – but eternal icons such as JM Barrie, Jackie Stewart and Sir Alexander Fleming also put pen to paper.
Sean Connery's flamboyant scrawl betrays a thespian in action, apologising for a delay caused by shooting two back-to-back films (one being Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) in five months. Golfer Jack Nicklaus uses his reply to profess his adoration for playing at Scottish venues used in The British Open, which was his favourite tournament.
Charles Dickens accepted his Honorary Member status in 1857
North Ayrshire Council claims his time in Irvine was responsible for transforming Burns from an obscure Ayrshire farmer into an international icon, and the town should be full of visitors this weekend for an enormous programme of events coinciding with the conclusion of the exhibition and the start of the Scottish winter festival season.
Walks in Eglinton Country Park follow in Burns' footsteps, and poetry, stories, talks, theatrical performances and genealogy sessions form a creative and historical look to the weekend at numerous venues.
Ceilidhs look ahead to St Andrew's Day on Monday, when "tartan nights" and Gaelic and Scottish fiestas are on the cards, and planned whisky-tasting slots would undoubtedly have met Burns' approval.
Allied to 47 historic sites waiving admission fees throughout Scotland, it's not a bad weekend to be north of the border.
Visit the Irvine Burns Club online for full programme and exhibition details.
All images of letters courtesy the Irvine Burns Club
