Piping in the Haggis

[sav]

I gave this to John in a PM, but I'm posting it here for general consumption:

Here is the usual running order of a Burns Supper with brief explanatory notes:

Grace
Once all the guests are gathered the supper usually starts with the host reciting Burns’ Selkirk Grace.

The first course is then served: traditionally Cullen Skink or Cock-a-Leekie soup.

The Piping of the Haggis

When the first course is finished and cleared away the main course, the haggis or ‘pudden’ is ceremoniously brought to the table preceded by a piper playing "Brose and Butter" or some other light Scots tune (Any light march will do). The haggis on its ‘groaning trencher’ is laid before the host.

Address to a Haggis
A previously designated guest (ideally one possessing verve) then recites Burns’ famous poem at the haggis. This humorous, earthy poem is, of course, the raison d’être for the haggis taking pride of place on the menu.

The poem ends with the reader enthusiastically slicing open the haggis with a knife (or, if in possession of one, a ceremonial dirk).

The main course is then served, traditionally with neeps and tatties (turnips/swede and mashed potatoes) and accompanied by wine, beer or whisky.

The traditional dessert is Tipsy Laird (sherry trifle), followed by coffee.

Interlude – Song
Before the speeches, and whilst the meal is being cleared away, is a good opportunity to have a rendition of a Burns song or two. Piping can be substituted here, with what pipers call "light music"

Immortal Memory
The Immortal Memory address, given either by the host, an invited speaker or a learned guest is the ‘serious’ part of the evening. The address should be a speech addressing some aspect of Burns’ life, work or lasting influence. It can be academic or personal but it should aspire to touch the hearts and minds of the gathering.

Toast to the Lassies/Reply from the Lassies
It’s traditional at this point for a male guest (one of the laddies) to deliver a light-hearted, teasing toast to the lassies which usually involves a tongue-in-cheek list of the shortcomings of the fairer sex. The men should be wary, however, as a spokeswoman for the ‘lassies’ then gets the opportunity to reply with (an equally tongue-in-cheek) list of the shortcomings of the baser sex!

Tam O’Shanter (or Holy Willie’s Prayer)
To round off the speeches it’s customary for a guest with a gift for storytelling and a good memory to recite one of Burns’ great narrative poems, Tam O’Shanter or Holy Willie’s Prayer. The first is an atmospheric account of a drunken man’s encounter with some witches (imagined or otherwise) and the second is the ‘overheard’ highly amusing (decidedly unchristian) prayer of a bad loser and none-too-blameless church elder.

Ceilidh and Auld Lang Syne
The evening traditionally finishes with a ceilidh – Scottish Country Dancing, songs and poems (Burns or otherwise). When it’s time to go, everyone gathers in a circle, holds hands and sings Burns’ immortal hymn to friendship – Auld Lang Syne (first and last verses with two choruses).

I hope this helps!

[Prester John]

Hey Bill,

Not out of place at all.

I am an Orthodox Christian priest.

Some of our best priests are former baptists! They love God and the Holy Scriptures. Thanks for the welcome. We have to stick together!

Prester John

[Big Paul]

Welcome!

[GMan]

Great to have you here, WELCOME!

[Kilts_Knave]

... a piper ... routinely pipes in the haggis.

Now I understand the [what I then thought bizarre] scene on "Monarch of the Glen" --when I saw the piper in the dining room...

[macwilkin]

Now I understand the [what I then thought bizarre] scene on "Monarch of the Glen" --when I saw the piper in the dining room...

Golly, who is Glenbogle's Ghillie (gamekeeper) is following an old custom in the officer's messes of the Scottish Regiments; Check out the movie "Tunes of Glory" to see another example of this tradition.

Cheers,

Todd

[Doc Hudson]

Hey Bill,

Not out of place at all.

I am an Orthodox Christian priest.

Some of our best priests are former baptists! They love God and the Holy Scriptures. Thanks for the welcome. We have to stick together!

Prester John

Welcome aboard Prester John. And congratulations on the kilted wedding plans.

Would you be a Greek or Russian Orthodox priest? The reason I ask is that a friend of mine in California is in training to become a Russian Orthodox Priest. As an added bonus, Tony's wife is expecting their first child in December, and Natalia makes kilts, both celtic, modern, and Greek-style.

[Kiltedmusiclover]

Prester John,

Good to have you on the forum.
A hearty welcome to ya!

[Prester John]

Actually, I guess I'm closer to what you would call an American Orthodox priest.

Although I'm in the Orthodox Church in America, I spent my formative seminary years in Alaska - so Alaskan Orthodox is closest. But I don't speak Russian or Greek.

It's like the difference between Irish and Italian Catholic. None at all really, just language and customs.

Here, those of us who are not imigrants are just Americans.

I hope that clears it up!

Incidentally, my wife is a Robertson, and will be wearing that tartan at her sister's wedding. We will be stuck in the bold and beautiful Black Watch.

PJ

[Doc Hudson]

Oddly enough, my friend Tony is a second generation Scicilian American. He says the Russian Orthodox Church is closer to old-fashioned Italian Catholicism than the modern Roman Church.