Men in skirts, checkered patterns everywhere, and poetry. Robbie Burns day
is where all that Scotland is famous for comes out distilled. From the dreaded haggis to the
droning bagpipes, January 25th becomes a boistrous day to celebrate one of the world's most
famous poets.
Robert Burns (known to many as Robbie) was born in SouthWest Scotland on
January 25th, 1759. Initially he worked as a farmer, although thanks to the influence of his
tutor he began circulating some of his poems locally, eventually compiling them into his first
book. When his father died, he and his brother attempted to run the farm, but it didn't work
out. After trying some other jobs, and getting married, he tried farming again, with the same
lack of success. Moving to the city he got a job as an exciseman, one of the lucky fellows who
had to apprehend smugglers. Though a dangerous job it paid very well. The entire time he was
wandering from job to job trying to support his family he was writing poems and songs which were
becoming firmly entrenched in Scottish culture.
Although his poems were short and lyrical, appealing to the masses, the
quality was recognized by the more intellectual. Auld Lang Syne, the classic New Years Eve
song, was written by Burns in the style his mother used to love. The song, as well as many
others, is known around the world and sung, even when the singers have no idea what the words
mean.
Almost on the eve of Robert Burn's death, the celebration of his life began
with food, drinking, song, and drinking. Now, after a couple centuries and thousands of
immigrants, Robbie Burns Day is a permanent feature in Canadian towns, big or small. The events
are held in churches and/or community halls, though the churches do not have quite as much of
the traditional drinking. The poems are read, the songs are sung, and everyone can feel at
least a little Scottish for one night in the coldest winter month.
Haggis, you may be wondering, is a type of food. One of the bravest features
of the Robbie Burns celebration is the daring of the newbies to try this dish. Considered tasty
by many, still more people are frightened away after hearing it is a pudding cooked in a sheep's
stomach. The curious may want to give it a try themselves, to celebrate this aspect of
Scotdom.
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Fast Haggis (sans stomach)
1/2 lb liver
1 onion
1/2 cup oatmeal
5 to 8 cups stock
1/2 cup suet
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
Boil the liver and parboil the onion, then chop them up together. Cook the oatmeal a little,
just for colour, then mix everything together. Place in a greased bowl and cover with foil, or
a pie crust if you want and steam for 1.5 hours. Serves 4, or one very hungry person.
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One of Robbie Burn's most famous poems is Address to a Haggis, in which the
poet suggests the way to happiness it the gift of the odd concoction.
On the Sunshine Coast there is a Robbie Burns celebration in every town,
though not necessarily at the same time. A careful visitor can actually spend a couple weeks
wandering from event to event, and feel so Scottish it's embarrassing. But everyone
understands, since many of them have done it themselves, until the headaches got too bad, not
that EVERYONE drinks. We do have a bus system.
Jan 17
Robbie Burns Day Dinner
Pender Harbour Legion
This Ceilidh for Scots and the Scottish at heart celebrates the birth of the bard with traditional food and entertainment
Pender Legion: 604-883-0055 or rcl@uniserve.com
Jan 31
Robbie Burns Day Dinner
Harmony Hall, Gibsons
Dinner, Scottish social dancing and singing, piping with the traditional parade of the haggis
Tickets: $15 members, $18 non-members
Graham Wray 604-886-9295
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