Sunday, 10 January 2010

Rabbie Burns Night 2010

Yes... I know, and all you Scotophiles out there will be quick to point out that Rabbie Burns 251st birthday is not until January 25th 2010, but we like to celebrate early.
Saturday night saw the 16th Annual Rabbie Burns Night organised by St James Presbyterian Church, and it was every bit as good as the previous 15. Better in fact!
To start the procedings, the piper led the procession around the room to the strains of "Scotland the Brave".....

.... closely followed by the haggis bearer. It's a very serious business, haggis bearing.

The haggis was ceremonially sliced open as the piper recited Burns' poem "Ode to a Haggis", and we raised our glasses to toast the haggis and the Scottish Bard (apple juice.... none of the hard stuff, this is a church event!).
Then, before the dinner, The Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

Dinner was the traditional feast of roast beef, mashed tatties, peas, champit neeps, coleslaw, haggis, horseradish sauce and gravy... followed by assorted pies and Scottish shortbread.... all local produce prepared by the church ladies. Scrumptious!
And after the dishes are cleared away, it's time for the entertainment. A children's choir, Highland dancers, readings of Burns' poetry, a singalong of Scottish songs, and a wonderful soprano soloist.
And, of course, Scottish Country Dancers. We danced a strathspey, "The Rakes of Glasgow"......

..... and then a costume change for a reel, "Corn Rigs".

And we'll be doing it all again this time next year when we celebrate Rabbie's 252nd birthday! Wouldn't you like to join us? We'll save you a seat.

26 comments:

  1. Oh my, that sounds like a grand time. I love the prayer.

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  2. What?! No whiskey? I hope you didn't have gravy on your tatties like you did last year.

    It looks like a grand nicht oot!

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  3. Looks like another great event. The faces on the piper and haggis carrier are wonderful.

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  4. are you really that tall? or were you standing on a box? can't believe it's time for Rabbie Burns night again!

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  5. Looks like a fun time was had by all....and yes i would love to join you! Happy New Year!

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  6. I remember so well your post about this a year ago! I will not make the same comments, but you know my love for bagpipes (including having had one)! I hope you also could listen to Amazing Grace!

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  7. A friend's mom (she was Scottish) used to make shortbread. That was so good!!!

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  8. Well, it sure looks like a fun time (except if you're the haggis bearer - deadly serious stuff, there!)

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  9. i could eat anything with horseradish....yummy. Yes, save me a seat!

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  10. Arya (like the opera -aria-) is actually short for his real name.....Arrow.....his parents also made his middle name after a Star Trek Character which shall remain nameless..so Arya seemed ok to me!!!
    Gotta wonder about some names people pick!!!!

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  11. Sounds like a nice event!
    Sure, would be great if I could to join you all.

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  12. Glad you all had such a good time. Belated New Year greetings. Hope twenty-ten will be a good one for you. It'll be an exciting one for us as we're to become grandparents - and I know from you blog how exciting that can be!!!!!

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  13. Well, for sure you all look like you're having a grea time!

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  14. I don't know about the haggis but I will always give new food a try.

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  15. Looks like a great time and the food sounds divine! Happy New Year!

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  16. 2nd June or thereabouts. First one, so we'll all be novices!

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  17. Oh how fun, Sham. Cultural traditions are so important to who we are...pegs on which we hang our years.

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  18. Sounds delightful. I really would love to join you.
    What is Champit heeps?
    Great shots of a super celebration and I like the prayer too.

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  19. champit neeps = chopped and mashed turnip, with lots of pepper and salt and butter....mmmmm yummy.

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  20. For us living in Norway,
    this is a fascinating celebration

    Have a great weekend

    Hope it's not too cold.

    Her in Oslo to day it was "Mild", only - 6 C.
    Haha,we are happy the tempratures comes back to more normal, after 2 weeks of Siberian Frost here
    (-15 C - - 20 C)

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  21. I don't like whiskey, but I think wine would have been acceptable at a church function, wouldn't it? I'm travelling around down under at the moment, so I've been writing a separate blog for that - it's www.itchyfeet23.blogspot.com
    I thought I'd be able to update every day, but in fact I sometimes just couldn't get decent internet connections. I'm in Napier in NZ at the moment and I'm in Art Deco and seaside paradise. Dee/Dabrah (Fickle Muse)

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  22. oh you have such good parties!
    yes I would like to join you!

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  23. Excellent entry! I'm been looking for topics as interesting as this.
    Looking forward to your next post.

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  24. Actually they are totally different..I like this post..I will recommend this to my friends.Thanks for this.Appreciate it!

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