Burns Supper

For a Scotsman, January 25 is an important date. It is Rabbie (Robert) Burns birthday, and Burns Nights or Burns Suppers are still held throughout the world near this date to celebrate this well-loved poet's day.

Riverside School has a fair number of Scots on staff, and so it was only natural to plan such an event. The first one was held about 7 years ago, and the celebration has grown so popular over the years that this year's supper was sold-out!

The evening began as we were "piped" into the ballroom - a real Scottish piper was standing on the steps playing for every arriving guest. Whiskey is the drink of choice at these affairs, and each place setting had its own miniature bottle of Chivas Regal, and Johnnie Walker Red was available on each table. Ostensibly the bottle was to be a door prize for one of the table guests, but tradition dictates that whoever "wins" it, opens and shares with the entire table.

To begin the meal, the Selkirk Grace, written by Robert Burns, is spoken.

"Some hae meat and canna eat,

and some wad eat that want it,

but we hae meat and we can eat,

and sae the Lord be thankit."

The centerpiece or main course of such suppers is the haggis. It is brought into the room with great ceremony, led by the piper. There is a video of this procession below.

If you read the description of haggis provided in the link above, you may think that you would not touch it. I wasn't sure I wanted to try it, but when I got to the food table, the servers just piled some on my plate. I went back to my seat and with some trepidation, took a bite. I have to say it was delicious! If you don't think about the ingredients or the fact that it was cooked in an animal's stomach, it is really quite tasty. It helped that it was not a solid slice of meat like sausage, but it had a rather "fluffy" consistency. Anyway, I finished my entire portion.

Here is a still photo of bringing in the haggis. Don't forget to watch the video below.

After the haggis appears, there is a recitation of Mr. Burns' Address to a Haggis. See the second video clip below.

This gentleman served as the Master of Ceremony for the evening. A Scotsman's kilt can be worn for all dressy occasions, taking the place of a traditional suit or tuxedo. It was interesting to see the many different tartans.

The banquet hall, with over 160 guests...

Following the meal, there is a toast to the lassies (although it is more of a roast) followed by a response and toast to the lads. Of course, the toasting is done with.... yep, more whiskey.

Toasting the lassies.....

The band..

Scottish dancing..

All in all, a great party, and a good way to spend a winter evening!