Burns Night

[Zulu Romeo]

As any Scots out there in the TrekBBS will tell you, it's tradition to hold a Burns Supper on the 25th of January (or thereabouts) - an annual celebration of the life of the poet and lyricist Robert Burns held on the day of his birth. This year marks the 250th anniversary of Burns's birth.

I lived in Scotland for most of my life, and I've always enjoyed the Burns Night - an evening of dining out with the traditional haggis (of course there was always a vegetarian option), neeps and tatties, a song or two, poetry readings (including the obligatory "Tam O'Shanter" ), the Toast to the Lassies (and their reply) and much other fun to be had by all.

Anyone out there holding a Burns Supper celebration? Anyone can't stand the taste of haggis? Any fans of Burns's poetry? (Me, we had to study some of it during school - took all the fun out of it, if you ask me...)

 

[Mallory]

I've yet to experience haggis, something I look forward to with both dread and anticipation. What I can say is that I'm not much of a Burns fan.

 

[Australis]

Oddly enough, for someone born there and who identifies as a Scot-Australian, never been to a Burns Supper, though my Dad always goes. Also have never tried the national dish, not game. May have to do so soon.

As for Burns' poetry, I get it, but my favourite example is 'Ay Fond Kiss' set to music by Fairground Attraction. Hard to find now, and I've only got it on cassette... somewhere. The singer for that band, Eddi Reader, is just wonderful.

I have to go to Scotland sometime in the next year or two, I hope to follow up on more of this when I'm there. I'd really like to go there now, they've started a year-long celebration of things cultural called Homecoming. Ah well.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Ae Fond Kiss is a beautiful song. Incidentally, I never realised Eddi Reader was such a big fan of Burns - she's released a whole album of Burns lyrics set to music. (Looking on Wikipedia, it seems it's going to be re-released this month.)

 

[M'Sharak]

Not a Scot (or not very much one, anyhoo) and not particularly well-versed in Robbie Burns' verse. For that matter, I've yet to meet my first haggis, face-to... well, you know.

... the Toast to the Lassies (and their reply) ...

From what I understand, this bit can be quite entertaining, particularly if the one chosen to deliver the reply has a good supply of wit.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

... the Toast to the Lassies (and their reply) ...

From what I understand, this bit can be quite entertaining, particularly if the one chosen to deliver the reply has a good supply of wit.

Our school always held a Burns Night. The head boy and head girl had to deliver the Toast to the Lassies and the reply respectively. When it was the turn of the year above me to deliver those speeches, I remember the head girl's reply to be one of the funniest retorts I'd ever heard - delivered in verse, too.

 

[WillsBabe]

My husband is Scots. We have haggis around Burns' night. We have haggis a couple of times a year as it's a favourite of ours.

 

[StolenThunder]

Don't care for Burns' poetry, do enjoy haggis. I'll eat it all year round though, not just the once.

 

[RevdKathy]

Spent about six years of my life in Glasgow, and learned how to survive Burns night. The trick with haggis is to eat it while hot. It's the one dish where if you wait till everyone on the table is served, it becomes inedible.

Learn to appreciate whisky: I hated whisky, and dared to admit it. Some kind soul took me on one side and introduced me to the wonders of a quality single malt. I suspect she may have saved my life.

Go to a ceilidh. Gentlemen dancing in kilts is one of the fondest memories of my youth. I recall a sikh student who not only wore a kilt but removed his turban and danced with his hair flying long and loose...

*Exits thread hastily*

 

[cultcross]

Learn to appreciate whisky: I hated whisky, and dared to admit it. Some kind soul took me on one side and introduced me to the wonders of a quality single malt. I suspect she may have saved my life.

Been there, my friend.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

I thought this topic was about Frank Burns!

 

[LaxScrutiny]

I thought this was going to be about setting people on fire.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I thought this was going to be about setting people on fire.

People do get somewhat "toasted" on Burns Night, yes.

 

[Australis]

Some whiskeys are very peaty, but when visiting my Dad, he had a bottle of Glenfiddich. Can I say, "Yum!" Smooth and mellow, and when I goit up after 3 or 4 I realised I was seriously hammered, but quite relaxed about it. I now understand whiskey a LOT better.

 

[DBR]

I've yet to experience haggis, something I look forward to with both dread and anticipation. What I can say is that I'm not much of a Burns fan.

Whether or not we had a bastardized, north americanized version of haggis or what have you, I rather enjoyed it. It may have been the whiskey, it may have been the wine--but one thing I do remember thinking is that it reminded me of turkey stuffing.

 

[Jim Steele]

Haggis is amazing. Especially on a pizza.

Burns night is a load of shite.

 

[cultcross]

Haggis is amazing. Especially on a pizza.

I am intrigued, and wish to subscribe to your newsletter or manifesto.

 

[Jim Steele]

Haggis is amazing. Especially on a pizza.

I am intrigued

Behold: The finest supermarket pizza money can buy.

and wish to subscribe to your newsletter or manifesto.

 

[Hermiod]

Isn't Burns Night supposed to be the night where everyone pretends to be Scottish ? Sort of like St. Patrick's Day when everyone pretends to be Irish ?

 

[Jim Steele]

OH god, why would you want to pretend to be Scottish?

For some of us it's an unshakeable stigma.