Burns' Day, Edmonton

**NewGuise** · 23rd January 10, 05:06 PM

I asked earlier, in another thread, whether anyone in the Edmonton area might be up for a drink Monday afternoon or evening - even supper. I'll be out and about, and would love not to be 1) alone, and 2) the only kilted Edmontonian not attending an official Burns' dinner somewhere...

Anyone...?

**NewGuise** · 25th January 10, 10:30 PM

I cannot allow this pathetic note to be the only one in the history of XMarks to have no responses whatsoever, so... a follow-up.

My partner got back from his business trip earlier than expected, so I was not alone for the evening after all. We went out to a local Irish pub for a bite to eat, and a few pints, and were joined by my daughter and a friend just before a haggis was piped in. So ... a unexpectedly pleasant evening, and the first time other than Remembrance Day here in Edmonton that I was kilted but not the only kilted one in the room (or on the street). I wasn't even the oldest (or drunkest) kilted one in the room (or on the street)...

'Twas not the best haggis I've tasted, but that's ok. A young man at the next table was telling his friends about his having once had a haggis-stuffed chicken breast that was really fine and, fondly remembering a similar meal I'd had some years back, I said loudly, "with a whiskey sauce," and badly startled the poor bugger. But he'd had the dish elsewhere than I...

Still, if you are ever planning a trip to the Trossachs, plan to eat in Callander. Even if you're not into haggis-stuffed chicken. My partner's steak and stout pie was superb, as well.

kiltedwolfman · 28th January 10, 06:18 PM

Glad you had a good night out bud. We relaxed in house sicne we've had a mini Burns night a few weekends in a row LOL.

**NewGuise** · 29th January 10, 11:33 AM

One of these days we must actually raise a pint together, in the same place!

**CMcG** · 29th January 10, 11:39 AM

I'm glad the night turned out better than expected. Might I ask which pub you patronized? And what the kilted turn-out was like? Pictures?

**NewGuise** · 30th January 10, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I'm glad the night turned out better than expected. Might I ask which pub you patronized? And what the kilted turn-out was like? Pictures?

No pictures, I fear ... but it did happen - I have witnesses! We went to O'Byrnes', on Whyte, close to home (as well as to where my daughter works, as you know). They apparently do a Robbie Burns celebration every year, but don't really advertise it. Free haggis with neeps and tatties for anyone in the pub who asks, with relatively cheap Guinness - it is an Irish pub - to wash it down.

Leaving aside from the two pipers, one server, and the guy who did the recitation, I saw four other men in kilts - one ultilikilt, two tanks worn with t-shirt or sweater, one tank with worn PC on someone notably older and drunker than I. The place was pretty full, so I might have missed one or two...