"And there's a hand, my trusty fire!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll take' a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne."
At New Year's Eve everyone sings this Robbie Burns poem, turned song at 12:01am. Sung at Hogmanay, we
know it as "Auld lang Syne." There are 6 verses, this is the last verse.
Robbie Burns Day in Scotland is held on or near the poet's birthday, January 25th every year to celebrate the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796).
This year we have been so fortunate to be in Edinburgh to partake in Robbie Burns Day with the locals in the Miter Pub on the Royal Mile.
"Edina! Scotia's darling seat!
All hail thy palaces and tow'rs,
Where once, beneath a Monarch's feet,
Sat Legislation's sov'reign pow'rs;
From marking wildly scatt'red flow'rs,
As on the banks of Ayr I stray'd,
And singing, lone, the lingering hours,
I shelter in they honour's shade."
-Address To Edinburgh, Robbie Burns
In organizing a Robbie Burns Dinner, a few things that must be included.
Scotch Whiskey, the Haggis, and reading Burns poetry....maybe not in that order.
I am wearing my Scotland kilt, which is a very close tartan to the Wallace tartan of Stirling. My wee broach is the Heather stone which I purchased here in Edinburgh.
Angela MacPherson is ready and has left the building.
Fortunately for us we made reservations for dinner and a good thing we did. The pub was jammed packed when we arrived.
"Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, enjoyment, love and pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!"
-Ae Fond Kiss-Robbie Burns 1791
Our waiter was fantastic. When he served us the traditional Neeps & Tatties and Haggis with Whiskey sauce, he also explained that it was tradition to toast the Haggis, with a shot of whiskey and recite the words below....
"Address To A Haggis" by Robbie Burns
"Fair Fa' Your Honest, Sonsie Face, Great Chieftain
O' The Puddin-Race! Aboon Them A'Ye Tak Your Place"
For those who may be skeptical of eating the haggis, let me start by telling you that it is very tasty.
Everything... is minced up with mixed herbs. The sheep's heart, liver and lungs. Add salt, pepper, allspice, suet, onions, lemon juice or a good vinegar. There is also one pound of oatmeal mixed in, which might explain my wee puffy stomach after dinner. The sheep's stomach, which you put the haggis mixture into, is not eaten. ( It holds it all together such as a sausage skin does). You then simmer the haggis for three hours.
It is served with Neeps, turnips, and tatties, potatoes. Pour the whiskey sauce, gravy, over the lot and eat without thinking.
Delicious!
(There are 8 more verses to this poem, "Address To The Haggis", if you are inclined to read it).
Dessert is a brownie square with ice cream, topped with a chocolate and carmel sauce. Not a requirement in the Robbie Burns Dinner but very yummy. The Scottish people love their sweets and we LOVE the Scottish people and their sweets.
TO ROBBIE BURNS!
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