Burns Supper recalls Scottish traditions
By Rodger L. Hardy
Deseret Morning News
Published: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 12:17 a.m. MST
PROVO — The star of the traditional Robert Burns Supper held at Brigham Young University's Wilkinson Center was, of course, the infamous haggis.
The dish was brought in on a silver platter accompanied by a bagpiper and two members of the Scottish-American Military Society with their swords drawn. It was then paraded around the hall to a standing audience.
Burns' address, "To the Haggis" was given by Eric Gilzean preceding a toast.
Traditionally made from a sheep's heart, lungs and liver with oatmeal, spices and other ingredients, then broiled in the sheep's stomach, haggis is an acquired taste, said Bob Gallimore, spokesman for the Utah Scottish Association. (So it was with trepidation that I took my first bite. "Not bad," I thought. Being a fourth generation Scot I'd had it before, just didn't know it by that name.)
Haggis has many names, Gallimore said, most of them not printable in a family newspaper.
Some 20,000 Robert Burns Suppers were held around the globe last week, honoring the poet whom many scholars say gave birth to Scottish literature. It was his dying wish that friends gather and have supper to remember him. The suppers continue, more than two centuries later, emcee Dodd Greer said.
The BYU supper drew 350 diners, the largest attendance in Utah history, said chairman Trenda Barney.
Professors Gary Hatch and Karen Pierotti of BYU's English department presented the humorous Toast to the Lassies and Toast to the Laddies after a traditional Scottish roasted lamb chop dinner prepared by BYU Food Services.
The ideals Burns advanced weren't just Scottish ideals, Hatch said. They were also human values.
Three-time U.S. National Scottish champion dancer Kelsey Crane did a sword dance and highland fling and was presented with the annual "MacGregor of the Year Award."
BYU interns to the Scottish Parliament Study Abroad program; Kendra Keller, Jeanine Plamondon, Adam Wardel, Jessica Best and John Maher; recited Burns' works.
Other entertainment included Scottish bands Rusty Reel and Caol Ila. The evening concluded with an auction to raise money for upcoming Scottish association events, a desert of BYU's new oat praline and caramel ice cream with berries and Burns' "Auld Lang Syne."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
By Rodger L. Hardy
Deseret Morning News
Published: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007 12:17 a.m. MST
PROVO — The star of the traditional Robert Burns Supper held at Brigham Young University's Wilkinson Center was, of course, the infamous haggis.
The dish was brought in on a silver platter accompanied by a bagpiper and two members of the Scottish-American Military Society with their swords drawn. It was then paraded around the hall to a standing audience.
Burns' address, "To the Haggis" was given by Eric Gilzean preceding a toast.
Traditionally made from a sheep's heart, lungs and liver with oatmeal, spices and other ingredients, then broiled in the sheep's stomach, haggis is an acquired taste, said Bob Gallimore, spokesman for the Utah Scottish Association. (So it was with trepidation that I took my first bite. "Not bad," I thought. Being a fourth generation Scot I'd had it before, just didn't know it by that name.)
Haggis has many names, Gallimore said, most of them not printable in a family newspaper.
Some 20,000 Robert Burns Suppers were held around the globe last week, honoring the poet whom many scholars say gave birth to Scottish literature. It was his dying wish that friends gather and have supper to remember him. The suppers continue, more than two centuries later, emcee Dodd Greer said.
The BYU supper drew 350 diners, the largest attendance in Utah history, said chairman Trenda Barney.
Professors Gary Hatch and Karen Pierotti of BYU's English department presented the humorous Toast to the Lassies and Toast to the Laddies after a traditional Scottish roasted lamb chop dinner prepared by BYU Food Services.
The ideals Burns advanced weren't just Scottish ideals, Hatch said. They were also human values.
Three-time U.S. National Scottish champion dancer Kelsey Crane did a sword dance and highland fling and was presented with the annual "MacGregor of the Year Award."
BYU interns to the Scottish Parliament Study Abroad program; Kendra Keller, Jeanine Plamondon, Adam Wardel, Jessica Best and John Maher; recited Burns' works.
Other entertainment included Scottish bands Rusty Reel and Caol Ila. The evening concluded with an auction to raise money for upcoming Scottish association events, a desert of BYU's new oat praline and caramel ice cream with berries and Burns' "Auld Lang Syne."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
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