BURNing for Haggis

The great Scottish poet/lyricist Robert (Rabbie) Burns was born on January 25, 1759, just 200 years before me! Robert Burns authored many of the famous poems and songs we know today--among them Auld Lang Syne. Across Scotland and the world, his

contributions are celebrated on 'Burns Night' the day of his birth. The Fellows at IASH (Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities) celebrated him with a lunch of Haggis (vegetarian and traditional minced meat), mashed turnips (neeps) and mashed potatoes (tatties), there was even some whiskey--for those brave enough to try it at 1:00 in the afternoon (needless to say I was not one of them). As one should try new things when in a different country--after all that's the point--I did try a bit of the traditional haggis, and two helpings of the vegetarian haggis. I actually like the veg version (see below)---the traditional, not my thing, but I did try it. There was also a lecture on the life of Burns by Professor David Purdie---and of course a recitation of his poem, To A Haggis.

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