Steven Veerapen, author of books on history and of historical fiction, teaching English Literature at the University of Strathclyde, considers James VI and I: Man, Myth and Monarch – a lurching, cowardly fool, forever fiddling with his codpiece and drooling – literally – over handsome male favourites or charming and forceful enough to oversee a period of stability with no major rebellions, during which the renaissance flourished.

Booking for Highlight Talks at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is recommended to guarantee entry. Due to limited capacity in the venue, any available seats will be allocated to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that entry cannot be guaranteed without a booking.

Doors open at 2.15pm