Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin’ Race turns 250
Jan. 25 2009 will mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s national poet.
It will be a memorable occasion for those devoted to Burns’ life and works and to those around the world who commemorate his immortal memory with traditional Burns suppers.
Robbie Burns was born in 1759 in a “but and ben,” a two room clay cottage in the village of Alloway in Ayrshire. Although a hard-scrabble farmer, Burns’ father hired tutors to ensure that Robbie and his six siblings achieved literacy, and their mother instilled in them her love of Scottish song and culture.
Robbie laboured in the fields of his father’s farm until about 1786 when his first literary work, Poems–Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect–Kilmarnock Edition, was published. The collection included Burns’ well known poem To a Mouse, the “wee slikit cow’rin tim’rous beastie,” and Scotch, “Gie him strong drink until he wink, That’s sinking in despair.” Over 600 copies of the “Ploughman Poet’s” poems sold within weeks.
Burns went to Edinburgh shortly afterward to oversee publication of the Edinburgh edition of the poems. He was welcomed into Edinburgh society and warmly received in the city’s literary circles. While there Burns became involved in the gathering and publication of a three volume work of traditional Scottish songs, The Scots Musical Museum, contributing over 300 songs to the collection. At a time when the icons of Scottish culture; the kilt, plaid, bagpipe and claymore; had been outlawed by Britain, Burns’ contribution to the preservation of Scottish heritage and revival of national pride through his writings was invaluable.
Burns died in 1796 at the age of 37. On the day of his funeral, which was attended by 10,000 people, his wife Jean gave birth to their ninth child. A few years after his death his friends gathered for dinner in Alloway to recite his poems, sing his songs and toast his memory, and the tradition of the Burns supper began.
Today Burns suppers are held on or about Jan. 25 all over the world. The culinary components include haggis; a traditional Scottish dish made with organ meats, oatmeal, suet and spices, which was originally cooked in a sheep’s stomach; Cock-a-leekie soup, a chicken soup made with leeks and prunes; champit tatties (mashed potatoes); bashed neeps (mashed turnip), and Tipsy Laird; a trifle consisting of layers of cake, custard and fruit, generously laced with sherry.
The program of the supper is strictly observed: the assembly of guests, the Selkirk Grace, the piping in of the haggis, the address to the haggis, the tribute to Burns’ immortal memory, the toast to the lassies and their response, and Scottish entertainment. The evening concludes with the guests singing Auld Lang Syne with arms linked.
To celebrate the 2009 anniversary, those hosting suppers all over the world are encouraged to register their event on the World Famous Burns Supper website. The goal is to set a world record for the number of suppers held. The promotion is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009, an initiative of the Scottish government inviting those who have left Scotland or those of Scottish ancestry who have never visited the country to be part of the year’s festivities, which will celebrate Burns and other great Scottish contributions to the world, including golf and Scotch whiskey.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 promises a spectacular calendar of over 200 events. In addition to Burns-related events visitors can enjoy literary festivals, Celtic music and dance festivals, and Scotland’s largest ever Highland Games. Scotch whisky fans can tour the nation’s distilleries on the malt whisky trail, and golfers can participate in the Drive It Home Golf promotion, which celebrates Scotland as the birthplace of golf.
Those with Scottish ancestry can trace their clan routes and walk in the footsteps of their ancestors on a clan tour. A television advertisement for the year’s festivities features a number of Scottish celebrities, including Sir Sean Connery, performing the Scottish anthem Caledonia.
Homecoming Scotland 2009 will be launched at Burns’ family cottage in Alloway, now fully restored to its original condition under the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland. A Burns National Heritage Park, to be completed in 2010, is being established around the cottage and will include a new Burns Birthplace Museum, containing priceless memorabilia and artifacts, including an original manuscript of Auld Lang Syne.
Stouffville residents can enjoy a Burns Supper right here in town. St James Presbyterian Church is holding its annual supper at Parkview Village on Jan. 10. Two local pubs, the Earl of Whitchurch and The Lion of Stouffville, will hold Burns events on or about Jan. 25.
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