Burns Suppers
Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on the 25th January 1759. Every year in and around the 25th January the world celebrates the life and work of the most famous of all Scottish poets, Robert Burns 'The Bard' (1759-1796) by having Burns Suppers. Every Burns Supper has its own special form and flavour, but they all share the common purpose of honouring Scotland's Bard. They range from extremely formal occasions to informal gatherings, they all follow the same basic principles, the eating of haggis, neeps and tatties, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of Burn's Songs and Poetry.
No Burns Supper would be complete without a Piper to pipe in the haggis. Whether it be in South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada, or Russia a Piper is an essential part of any Burns Supper. The Piper will lead the procession of the haggis into the room, which will be on a tray carried by the chef, the Haggis will be led to a table, where the address to the Haggis will take place, "To a Haggis" will be read by the chairman or a previously designated reciter. A whisky is offered to the Piper, chef and the Reciter. It is tradition that the Piper slings back the whisky down his throat in one gulp, all eyes are on his glass, Alasdair will not disappoint here. This scene is the most important part of any Burns Supper, the audience will lap up the atmosphere. Alasdair will then lead the procession back out of the hall and dinner can be served.
Alasdair can play a selection of tunes on the pipes later on in the night after all the formal speeches are finished and the crowd has had a dram or three. This will really get the audience buzzing, Alasdair can stick to playing selections of Burn's work or he can play other Scottish or modern tunes, this is entirely dependent on your requirements.
"Warlocks and witches in a dance:
Nae cotillon, brent new frae France,
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels,
Put life and mettle in their heels.
A winnock-bunker in the east,
There sat auld Nick, in shape o' beast;
A towzie tyke, black, grim, and large,
To gie them music was his charge:
He screw'd the pipes and gart them skirl,
Till roof and rafters a' did dirl."
- An extract from Tam O'Shanter
The traditional end to any Burns night is the song "Auld Lang Syne", this is a great sentimental Scottish song, it is sung by everyone in the room, often grouped together in a big circle on the dance floor. This is a great emotional moment to bring Alasdair in, you can either have him lead the song, then stop for the crowd to start singing, or conversely he can finish the song off. This really will be a stirring and lasting memory of the night for the guests.
Don't delay, book Alasdair to play at your Burns Supper today, Pipers are very hard to come by on the 25th January.
