Robbie Burns Supper

Rob and I went to a Robbie Burns Supper at our Sailing Club celebrating the baird's 250th birthday. I've never seen so many men wearing kilts in one room before, they sure do flatter the masculine figure...

The clubhouse was well decorated, with tartans on the tables and dressing the walls. And some great flags brought in by collector Malcolm P. (including a Black Watch flag from the 1890's).

"Speeches and Ploys" included the piping of guests to table, the piping in of the Haggis, the address to the Haggis (performed with flair by Malcolm P.), and an appearance by none other than Robbie Burns (who looked remarkably like Ian M.) The toasts to the 'Twa Lands' (Grace M.), 'The Lassies' (Ross W.), 'The Reply' (Jill R.) were all original. I had no idea we had such poets in our midst. Dick G. was the MC for the evening and was as engaging as ever.


Bill o' Fare
(prepared by members, with the exception of the Haggis, desserts and Usquebagh)
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.

Haggis, Warm Reekin, Rich
Champit Tatties
Bashed Neeps
Roast Beef
Drunkin Cake & Other Sweets
A Tassie of Coffee
For toasting... Athol-brose and Usquebagh

(Athol-brose is is a mixture of oatmeal brose, honey, and whisky.
Tatties and neeps are potatoes and turnips.
The Haggis was surprisingly delicious. I think I prefer this description of it, "..... a haggis is a small animal native to Scotland. Well when I say animal, actually it's a bird with vestigial wings - like the ostrich." According to this source it also has great aquatic ability!)
....

When the meal and speeches and ploys were done, we were entertained by the bagpipes and celtic drums of the Tartan Terrors and watched some Scottish dancing. Rob even had the pleasure of one of the dancers perching on his lap... with lots of photos to prove it!


I ended the evening with a better appreciation for Burns and intend to learn a bit more about his life, works and poetry. This looks like a good place to start... The World Burns Club.