Is there for honest poverty ...

Today is the birthday of The Bard and all over the world people will be toasting his (immortal) memory, saying the Selkirk Grace and eating haggis. All cultures have ways of making use of the more questionable bits of the animals killed for food so if you're going to eat haggis it's probably best not to overthink it. I stick to the vegetarian variety myself, and it is surprisingly tasty.

Here is my dogeared copy of a 1966 book which I must have had since 1971 or so. It cost 9/- or £0.45. By no means a flawless character (but then who is) Burns produced some wonderful poetry. To hear the estimable Sheena Wellington sing 'Is there for honest poverty' at the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 follow this link https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hudNoXsUj0o. Fantastic.

Next to the book is a bottle of whisky. Drams will be taken across the world at Burns Suppers today. This isn't my absolute top favourite whisky but it comes close. Anything from an Islay distillery is going to have a smoky, peaty flavour which is nectar if you like that kind of thing.