Page 28 - Feb2023

What exact ly is a Haggis?

The often misunderstood Haggis is Scotland's national dish. Ours above, made on site by Celtic Cup
owner Denise Smith, was a conncoction made of mutton and lamb, onions, oatmeal, and spices, all
encased in a casing and boiled until ready to serve.
[Traditionally entrails and liver are involved in Haggis, but our crowd was not made of such stern stuff so the
modifications were met with approval.]

After the traditional parade of the haggis, led by piper Nathan James, followed by our newest member of
the NBCC, John Shaw, himself a Scot, carrying the haggis on its silver tray, the star of the show appearing
rather like a giant sausage, Shaw put the pudding in place and recited the Address. The first verse was
done in Scots, before turning to the English translation for the benefit of all to whom a properly
annunciated Scottish dialect remains a mystery. At just the right moment in the recitation, Shaw
plunged a very sharp knife into the thing, cleaving it asunder, before finishing the poem to applause.

With two spoons on the table, guests were invited to come up and try a bit on crackers; there were
takers. Some said they were surprised that they liked it, others said it wasn't bad, one person allowing
that eating such a thing must be an "acquired taste". Variations of these sentiments have also been
expressed when considering Burns' body of work.

Next came The Selkirk Grace

Formerly called the Galloway Grace in the 17th
century, this old blessing before meals, now known
as the Selkirk Grace, got its new name and its
worldwide fame, when Burns was invited to dinner in
1794 by the Earl of Selkirk and asked to give the
blessing. The grace was not written by Burns but
became associated with him as he used it often and
" Some hae meat an' canna eat
popularized it, with the Earl's name attached to it.
A n some wad eat that want it
Wearing a bow tie in the tartan associated with his
ancestors' clan, Keith, Guy Boye, at right, delivered B ut we hae meat an' we can eat
the grace that called us to supper.
A n' sae let the Lord be thankit. "
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