Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
The Flagstaff Scottish Club hosted the 16th annual Robbie Burns Night in Killam on Saturday, Jan. 27, a unique event that celebrates the Scottish heritage and its most favoured son, poet Robbie Burns.
The evening got underway with the traditional Piping in of the Haggis, serving as a call to dinner. This Scottish delicacy, described as: spiced offal stuffed inside a sheep’s stomach, was piped into the hall in a procession led by the Battle River Pipes and Drums. Once the famous pudding had arrived centre stage, Shaun Donald performed a fiery and passionate rendition of ‘The Haggis Wi’ all the Honours,’ a Burns poem celebrating Haggis, and immortalized a year after his passing at a dinner held by in his memory by friends in 1797. This 200-year-plus tradition is now an essential part of all Robbie Burns evenings.
This year, after the address, Battle River Pipes and Drums (BRPD) members hand-delivered small samples of the delicacy to each table. A sumptuous supper followed, including Cock-a-leekie soup with wild
pheasant, “Chappit tatties,” “Roasted Stirk,” “Bashed Neeps,” or in other words, mashed potatoes, prime rib
roast, and mashed turnips, among other goodies, followed. During the meal live music was provided by the Ratte String Quartet, some of whom are also members of the BRPD.
A short program after supper also celebrated Burns’ life and poetry, as traditional toasts were made. ‘Tae the Lassies’ was given by Allen Oberg, and the answering ‘Fae the Laddies’ by Mary Culshaw. Band member Mike Fawcett gave a toast to Robbie Burns, and a Burns Poetry reading, “John Barley Corn,” was performed by Alex Oliver. The toasts were followed by two vocal performances by Nansee Hughes, who sang Robbie Burns’ lyrics to Scottish folk songs.
The Battle River Pipes and Drums performed at intervals throughout the evening, including a special song dedicated to Chieftan David Samm. Four of the youngest members of the BRPD performed a particularly difficult song on the pipes, called “Steam Train to Mallaig.” The funding for the newest members’ pipes was raised at last year’s Robbie Burns function, the crowd was told, with these four, plus two snare drummers, now full performing members of the band.
At the close of the program a rousing round of what is perhaps Burns’ most famous song, “Auld Lang Syne,” was performed by piper Ian Malcolm, with the crowd joining in. A reverse Bingo followed, with a prize of a barbeque/smoker and a brisket and spices, followed by another performance by the BRPD band.
Not only was the entire hall dressed up in Scottish finery, there was an opportunity to shop from the Flagstaff Scottish Club’s store, and to taste a sample of some of the finest Scotches, at a special bar manned by stewards Tanya Smith, Delin Watmough, Kari Fox Newby, and Karali Newby.
Organizers say Celtic band Fraid Knot had everyone dancing all the rest of the night with the band’s break being filled with the uproarious ‘Bonnie Knees’ contest, always a crowd pleaser and followed by a fierce ‘Scotch heel’ auction for anything left in the Scotch bar.
From all accounts, the Robbie Burns gala was a great success. The event is the major fundraiser for both the
Flagstaff Scottish Club and the BRPD. Organizer Karen Robinson says, “It is also an important cultural night of entertainment that we hope people enjoyed!” She adds, “The Band is constantly improving their skills as well, with several major band camps during the year, as well as one-day seminars, where professional instructors come to the FSC Clubhouse, and band members participate in a fully immersive weekend of learning! The BRPD is looking sharp these days as well with a full dress and a full casual uniform. All of this is possible with the generous support of the public at the Robbie Burns Gala and our other fundraising efforts. We can’t thank you enough! Your generous support also goes towards the events we host during the
year; our Tartans and Tunes on April 6 and our Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival, to be held this year on Aug. 24. Please mark your calendars!”