Burns Supper 2009

On Friday night Derek and I attended our first Burns Supper.  Burns suppers are held around the world by Scots in honour of the famous 18th century Scottish bard, Robert Burns.  Today, January 25, 2009, is the 250th anniversary of Burns' birth.  There is a movement in Scotland this year called Homecoming Scotland, where the Scottish government is trying to get Scots who have immigrated to other countries around the world to come home to Scotland this year.  One of their major initiatives was to coordinate a series of Burns Suppers around the globe.

Derek and I went to a traditional supper organized by the University of Edinburgh for international postgraduate students.  I love their events for international students, because you get to meet people from all over the world who have this school and this city in common, and because whatever we're experiencing is new to us all.  We sat at a table with students from Canada, America, Poland, Portugal and Italy.  Only one couple at the table had tried haggis before, so we were all excited.

A number of things happen at a Burns supper.  The bagpipes welcome you to the dinner, and then after the Selkirk Grace is read (which I know by heart from reading it countless times on Grandma's wall), the haggis is welcomed.  It comes in on a large tray following the bagpiper, and followed by the wine.  Then the Address to the Haggis is read or recited, which is a dramatic speech to and about the haggis.  The school was quite smart: everyone had a program at their place which contained the poems and prayers plus their translation from Scots to English, so we could easily follow along.  After this speech, the meal began.  

This supper consisted of two courses: Scotch broth for the soup and then haggis, neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes).  The haggis was quite good, I would have it again.  It was just odd that everything on the plate was the same mashed consistency.  But everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Following the dinner were a number of speeches and toasts, including memories of Robert Burns, his legacy, a toast to the "lasses" and their reply.  

After supper we were all asked to leave the hall while the tables were moved to create a large dance floor.  During this break they held a raffle, and Derek won a university backpack!  Its quite small, but would be perfect to pack a picnic and take up to the crags.  A ceilidh (pronounced caylee) band set up, and then the ceilidh started.  Derek and I realized quite quickly that we were at a significant advantage, having been to them before.  We caught onto the steps faster and were able to help others get going.  At one point our group of six became the demonstration group for the other 140 or so students trying to dance.  It was a lot of fun, and no twisted ankles for Derek this time around.

Overall, we really enjoyed ourselves and are determined to go again next year.  Although we must find something tartan to wear!  Perhaps Derek will have a kilt...