It's Robbie Burns Night Celebrated In Scotland And Elsewhere! Ever Had Haggis?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
January 25, 2010 9:40am CST
Apparently Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne that everyone sings on New Year's Eve when they are very drunk..mostly!
Anyway, Robbie Burns Night is celebrated all over the UK, not just in Scotland. I once went into a pub called The Gynn in Blackpool, England and they celebrated Robbie Burns Night including bringing out a rather large haggis, consisting of a sheep's stomach containing lots of strange ingredients.
I only ate some (and it does resemble minced meat when served) because I was rather drunk at the time. 
There's no way I would actually walk into a shop and buy haggis. I believe it is now sold in the US after a ban due to BSE? Have you ever eaten haggis and celebrated Robbie Burns Night all at the same time?
No doubt Gretna will be the place to be tonight. It is only 9 miles away, across the border. If any couples were getting married today they are sure to have a fabulous evening, the lucky beggars!
I only ate some (and it does resemble minced meat when served) because I was rather drunk at the time. There's no way I would actually walk into a shop and buy haggis. I believe it is now sold in the US after a ban due to BSE? Have you ever eaten haggis and celebrated Robbie Burns Night all at the same time?
No doubt Gretna will be the place to be tonight. It is only 9 miles away, across the border. If any couples were getting married today they are sure to have a fabulous evening, the lucky beggars!5 responses
@Torunn (8606)
• Norway
27 Feb 10
I've celebrated Robert Burns and had haggies at the same time, in Vienna of all places. I had a Scottish friend that lived in the same students home as I did, so we went to the Robert Burns night that was organized by the Carinthian Highland society. We listened to Robert Burns in German and had some pretty gross haggis. It was nearly fluid and didn't taste anything really. I had haggis in Scotland after that, and it tasted much better.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
27 Feb 10
Haha! I feel sorry for you having that gooey haggis but when it's done right it can actually taste OK and I'm glad you have had a decent one since then lol.
@ElicBxn (64176)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Despite the Scot in me, I have never celebrated Robert Burn's night.
But I would read in the Cat Who books about Qwill celebrating it.
Not really my cuppa, since I don't get drunk.
Never had haggis, and probably won't, does NOT sound appetizing, never has...
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Jan 10
It's one of those dishes that actually tastes better than it looks...but the Scots don't exactly make it look good do they? Needless to say, I've not had one for MANY years and I'm not going to start now lol.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
25 Jan 10
Hi Janey, I have never eaten haggis and think that I would have to be very drunk even to try it, but than it's prabably all in the mind. I realize that people have been eating it for a long time and I guessed it's never killed anyone, but really the thought is enough for me. Blessings.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Jan 10
There is a vegetarian option as well, apparently. Perhaps that one looks more appetizing, I don't know. Thanks for your response.
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
25 Jan 10
Well I've never celebrated Burns night but have tucked into Haggis on a fair few times, much to the revulsion of people I know who say it's disgusting yet have never tried it. Fair do's the dodgy list of ingredients which go into it is rather unappetising but the flavour is wonderful sort of like a heavy dry minced beef with a ton of seasoning, which is probably why I enjoy it so much.
One day I will have to get round to doing the whole Burns night as well.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Jan 10
The ingredients are horrible but, yes you are right, it does taste like heavily seasoned minced beef, an apt description my friend. It's supposed to be very good for you too. I've no idea what goes into the vegetarian option, I'm hoping someone on MyLot will enlighten me...not that I'm a vegetarian but it would be nice to find out what other options there are.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Jan 10
When I travelled through Scotland in 1998 my friend wanted to try haggis, so when we stopped for lunch at this country pub, he ordered one. There was no way that I was going anywhere near it even though it was supposedly a more modern synthetic one and not the traditional sheep stomach.
He enjoyed it though and it did just look like an ordinary mince dish.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Jan 10
Haha! I know what you mean about them not looking very appetizing! You are right though, it even tastes like ordinary mince. I was amazed that something so horrendous looking could taste (kind of) OK...and I'm the fussiest eater on the planet lol.
