Robbie Burns Day – More than Just The Haggis

“We look to Scotland,” Voltaire said “for all our ideas of civilisation.”  And on January 25, Scots around the world, both real and honourary, become extra, um, civilized as they mark the grand tradition of Robbie Burns Day with all of its customs, including The Haggis.

Born on January 25, 1759, Robert “Robbie” Burns, also known as the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire and, in Scotland,  simply “The Bard,” was Scotland’s greatest poet and favourite son.  Although he died more than 200 years ago, he is still considered the  Greatest Scot, as a poll conducted by a Scottish television channel confirmed last year. So in your face, Sir Sean Connery. You too Alexander Graham Bell. After all, you didn’t pen the song that opens every new year and closes the classic Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Nope. “Auld Lang Syne” is all Burns.

The first Burns observance wasn’t held on his birthday, as it is now, but actually upon the fifth anniversary of his death. The idea caught on and shortly thereafter, Burns Clubs sprung up across Scotland, turning into an annual event that eventually came to be celebrated on January 25, complete with The Haggis.

Over the years, Burns’ influence spread due to worldwide Scottish immigration.  Intrepid Scots brought their love of Robert Burns with them when they settled in Canada, Brazil, Jamaica, New Zealand, Argentina, and elsewhere.  As a result, the poet is celebrated in the many countries where Scots settled, and “Robbie Burns Day” is observed.

There are so many Scottish Canadians, they are considered Canada’s third largest ethnic group – and Gaelic is still taught and spoken in some parts of Cape Breton.  In fact, wherever you are in Canada, chances are good you won’t have to look  far to celebrate Robbie Burns Day.  Here in Calgary, for example, the Ship & Anchor Pub salutes The Bard with Scottish dancers, the Address to the Haggis and the John Allen Cameron Band.  Not to be outdone, the University of Calgary features the U of C Pipe Band at their Sixth Annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance. And many Calgary offices this week will be ordering from our Weekly Specials Menu, themed, appropriately, with Scottish delights.

No celebration of Robbie Burns Day is worth it’s whiskey without the Haggis, which, truth be told, is actually nothing more than a large sausage. So of course, we’ve provided you with the perfect recipe to make your very own Haggis to celebrate Robbie Burns Day with friends and family at home.  Grab your kilt, throw on a bagpipe band CD to pipe in the Haggis while you recite Burns’ Address to the Haggis for a memorable and fun celebration of Scotland’s most beloved poet.

And don’t forget to serve a dram of Scotland’s equally famous drink– whiskey for all!