'Haggis warm reeking' headlines Stittsville's Robbie Burns Night

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC News - How's this for a menu? Haggis warm reeking, roast beef, rich wi' champit tatties, bashed neeps wi' peas, Scotch baps, coffee cake, and a tassie of tea and coffee.

Now if that is not Scottish cuisine at its traditional best, just what is.

And this was the dinner menu at the annual Robbie Burns Night at the Lions Hall in Stittsville last Saturday, Jan. 28.

Hosted by the Stittsville United Church under the leadership of Marion Gullock, the evening included not only the traditional acknowledgement of the clans, the pinning of the plaid, the Selkirk Grace, the piping in of the haggis and the famous "Ode to a Haggis," but also featured lots of Scottish piping and dancing thanks to the Arnprior McNab Pipe Band and Dancers.

Yes, Scotland came alive at the Lions Hall in Stittsville at this event.

Rev. Grant Dillenbeck, looking very much the part with his Scottish tam, served as the master of ceremonies for the night. As such, he recited the acknowledgement of the clans and led the saying of the "Selkirk Grace" by all in attendance.

Ruth Richardson led the pinning of the plaid while the hall was filled with bagpipe music as the haggis was piped into the gathering.

Gus Nelson recited Robbie Burns' famous "Ode to a Haggis" before everyone enjoyed the dinner as per the menu described. The dinner was followed by a time of entertainment featuring music, dance and poetry. Doll Creelman was the pianist while the Arnprior McNab Pipes and Drums and associated dancers were the performers.

It was all done not only as a fun evening but also in commemoration of Robbie Burns, who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.

He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death he became a source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. He is a cultural icon not only in Scotland but also among those worthwide who are Scottish or who would like to be Scottish.

In 2009, Robbie Burns was chosen as the "Greatest Scot" by the Scottish public in a vote run by a Scottish television channel.

Burns' "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung on New Year's Eve.