PICS: Burns Night Toronto 2013

[CMcG]

I went to a couple of Burns events this week and here are the highlight pics (click on the thumbnails to see larger images).

First was a trip to The Caledonian to meet up with Xmarker Singlemalt. We had the luck to be sitting at the bar next to the liquor rep who was hosting the whisky tasting, which included Glenlivet 12, 15, and 18. Later, he also ordered some Scapa and Glen Grant 16 for us to try. Singlemalt is wearing Thomson hunting and I'm wearing the Maple Leaf tartan


The Caledonian has kilt-friendly washrooms




On Friday, it was off to The Pour House for a full Burns Dinner. It was a casual event, well attended, and people were in fine form. There were only two other kilties (apart from the piper), but there were 5 whiskies to taste and plenty of food. At several points in the evening, groups of people broke into song and the management encouraged folks to get on the microphone to read Burns' poetry at various points in the evening.

From left to right: Black Grouse, Highland Park, Macallan, Macallan Cask, Laphroig 1/4 Cask, and a pint of Innis & Gunn to wash it down with


The haggis was lovely and moist, but we only got a dollop of it... almost like a palette cleanser before the main course (filet mignon). My photography was handicapped by low light conditions, so I got creative with the filters.




There was no pie, but dessert included ice cream and shortbread, doused in whisky


Here is the chap I was sitting with. I'm wearing MacQuarrie and he's got the Maple Leaf tartan.

[cessna152towser]

A fascinating set of pics.
I always enjoy pics from kilted get togethers around the world, especially those which match faces with usernames.

[CMcG]

When asked why an Irish pub (The Pour House) was hosting a Scottish event, the manager responded, "We're Irish. We'll celebrate anything!"

Here's a pic of the haggis guard/escort and the awesome, whisky info filled, placemats:

[McClef]

Lovely pictures.

The idea of Haggis just as a "starter" is a strange one, I would think to many.

I have only been to one, a very massed event, where the haggis neeps and bashit tatties were served in a ramekin only good for a couple of mouthfuls followed by a main course of beef.

Otherwise it has been (and rightly so) the main course.

Ee'n twa spunefu's willnae git the kytes weel swell'd n bent like drums.

[mookien]

Colin: Great pictures! Thanks for posting. I wish I could have joined in the Gaelic revelry, not to mention the whisky tasting. I can't figure out the sign. Is the piper male or female?

[KenB]

Colin, sorry I couldn't be with you....too far out of town. Hopefully we can meet up in the near future; I was thinking of trying out the Feathers on Kingston Rd....great flights of scotch. Maybe it can happen.

[CMcG]

...
The idea of Haggis just as a "starter" is a strange one, I would think to many.

No doubt. The filet mignon was excellent, served with both tatties and neeps, but not really as appropriate as haggis for Burns dinner main course...

...I can't figure out the sign. Is the piper male or female?

[CMcG]

Colin, sorry I couldn't be with you....too far out of town. Hopefully we can meet up in the near future; I was thinking of trying out the Feathers on Kingston Rd....great flights of scotch. Maybe it can happen.

I'd never heard of The Feathers, but a quick look at the website shows it to be billed as "pub & singlemalt bar." Sounds like my kind of place, so keep me posted!