"Please note that the ladies are referred to as "lasses" and not "lassies", the latter being the plural of a famous canine." btw... all "Lassies" in the TV show and in the movies, have been laddies iow... "dogs"/male dogs.

Pardon me for my Scottish/Canadian upbringing, but a lassie (lass), is a Scottish term for a woman/female, and a laddie (lad), is the term for a man/male. The dog and TV show were named after the terms lassie and laddie were in use.

I doubt that this site would be wrong:
http://www.robertburns.org/suppers/itinerary.shtml

"Toast To The Lassies
A traditional Burns Night ritual, this toast should be a light-hearted lampoon of the lassies' (few) shortcomings. Illustrations from Burns, or from first hand knowledge of the subject, may be used. Warning: Please be tactful! It's funny, but I've noticed that even the mildest, vaguest, allusions to the faults of women, in even the most general sort of way, may be misconstrued as a viscious personal attack!

Reply From The Lassies
Always delivered with grace, charm and wit, this savaging of the lads' crude dispositions and social inferiority is always accepted with good humor by the menfolk present."

For the twa lands, the oration ties the two countries, Canada and Scotland, together with similarities. Remember, many of our world inventions, were invented by Scotsmen. On the Plains of Abraham, many a Scottish highlander, fought for...France, against the British. ;)

I need to purchase and break in a couple of new chanter reeds. All but one of mine are "toast".

Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!