Haggis, Whisky bagpipes and Kilts – it can only mean Burns night for Nottinghamshire’s Scottish community.
January 25 each year is celebrated in Scotland and worldwide as Burns’ night to recognise the work of the poet Robert Burns.
The night, which was originally acknowledged by the poet’s family and friends after his death, is now celebrated by many restaurants and pubs in Nottingham by serving Scottish-themed dishes.
The Roebuck Inn on St James street have been selling haggis with neeps and tatters, a Highland burger,and the Belhavern Robert Burns ale as well as Scottish whiskeys and beers.
Kitchen Manager,Ashley Mellors said: “We had to order a lot more haggis in, they have been flying out, everyone has been enjoying it.”
Shift leader Kirsty Thomas said: “We have seen lots of people in their kilts throughout the week.”
Joe Harbourne, from Bingham, was celebrating the day with his friend Dennis McElhinney from Beeston by eating the haggis dish.
Joe said “This is an annual event for us to meet up once a year on Burns night, and chew the fat together.
He added: “Burns would have gone out to the pub and get well sozzled, gone out with a few lassies, and then made his way home.”
Denis McElhinney from Beeston said: “The Haggis is great, I really like Haggis Pakora which is a speciality, but you only get that in Glasgow, not here in Nottingham.”
Joe Harbourne reciting the Robert Brown poem called Address to a Haggis
Haggis is made from sheep heart, liver and lungs and is served with swede and potatoes known as ctatties and Neeps.
Many people also celebrate the day by holding a Burns’ supper. The host of the evening will read out the “Address to a Haggis” poem when the haggis is on the table, and then the haggis is ceremonially sliced into two pieces and the meal begins.
