Get out the Haggis, it's Burns Night

NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS – The Ibis Lounge recently hosted a splendid Burn's Night, addressing the Haggis in celebration of Scottish poet and legend, Robert Burns.

In true Nieu-Bethesda style, the community rallied together and many brought along a Scottish themed culinary treat.

Ian Alleman worked all day on his Haggis which consisted of minced heart, liver and other offal, all neatly bound in the stomach lining.

The haggis is traditionally carried in on a silver salver with a knife at the ready, to the sound of the pipes.

After this, Barbara Weich welcomed everyone and performed an excellent rendition of the official Address to the Haggis, complete with an impressive Scottish accent.

The first stanza of Burns' ode to the Haggis read as follows:

"Fair fa'your honest, sonsie face,

Great Chieftain o' the Puddin-race!

Aboon them a' ye take your place,

Painch, tripe or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang's my arm."

There are some interesting tips to serving Haggis, such as making a small cut into it to relieve the pressure, thus preventing guests from being hit by flying bits of Haggis in the excitement of the ceremony.

After completing the address, everyone raised their glasses and declared, "to the Haggis!", before tucking in.

Even those who were a little dubious were amazed at how scrumptious the meal proved to be.

Margie Afonso also served a beautifully tender tripe dish served with 'tatties' and carrots, while Jenny Nel provided Cranachan for dessert - a creamy, oat and whiskey laden dish with local berries.

While everyone tasted various drams of whiskey that they pooled, the night became festive around the Scottish themed banquet table. Antique books of Burns' poetry loaned from 'Dustcovers' made for fitting table décor, which was also read during the course of the evening. Guests arrived in their family tartans, or with sentimental brooches and tokens from Scottish ancestors.

It is evenings like these, that happen in the village, that make it such an exceptional place, and everyone looks forward to another Burns evening next year.

Locals enjoying an evening of Robbie Burns.