Burns Night

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for about 200 years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard. And when Burns immortalised haggis in verse he created a central link that is maintained to this day.

The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory. The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive the haggis.

A typical Bill o' Fare would be:

* Cock-a-leekie soup

* Haggis warm reeking, rich wi' Champit Tatties, Bashed Neeps

* Tyspy Laird (sherry trifle)

* A Tassie o' Coffee

I haven't been to a burns night since my School days and am afraid to say I don't even like haggis!