Robert Burns - 251 years on

Cannot let this, the Birthday of our bard, Rabbie Burns, pass without mention . Born 251 years ago and certainly one of Scotland's most famous sons., writer of such songs as My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, and To a Louse, with lines like "fair faw yir honest sauncie face, great chieften of the puddin race" written about the famous haggis - which is a mixture of meat, offal, spices contained in a sheeps lung. The haggis is still currently banned by the U S Authorities following the BSE crisis in 1989 - but there are possible signs that the ban may be lifted soon. Our local producer, Macsween of Edinburgh report yet another increase in sales. producing 850 tons of haggis this year.

We will have our own Burns supper here in the Mercat on Saturday 30th , and even have a private one booked in on Friday night, 29th.

Much is made of the many affairs Burns had with the ladies, sometimes taking away from his poetic genius - however, a wee story :-
On one occasion while Burns was living in Edinburgh he had a bit of an inkling for the company of a woman , so sought the services of one of the "ladies" frequenting the pubs in the the High Street / Grassmarket. Once within her rooms and undressing he was in a contented mood and whistling away to himself. The lady is reputed to have said to him " Hud yir wheesh man, I'l no fornicate with a man who whistles on the Lord's day ( Sunday being the sabbath).

I am sure someone has attempted to make haggis flavoured ice cream, BUT not quite my taste. I much prefer my haggis "au natural" along with a nice healthy dram.