Sunday, January 22, 2012

Rabbie Burns Night - Bagpipes & Haggis

Last night the Buchanan Arms Scottish Pub was alive with poetry, songs, food, dancing and men in kilts celebrating Robert Burns (Rabbie Burns) the poet laureate of Scotland. Yes, the same man who created Tam o' Shanter, and Auld Lang Syne.

Traditionally Rabbie Burns suppers occur around January 25th - his birthday. It's always a festive evening as was last night with The Ploughboys playing/ singing beautiful traditional songs and professional bagpiper, Dan Speaker, regaling the audience as only a piper can.

The highlight of the evening for me is when the bagpiper plays the pipes as the cook carries in the haggis. Then the Address to a Haggis is recited by someone with a Scottish accent.  If you are not used to hearing a thick Scottish accent you may find understanding the poetry rather difficult and even humorous if you happen to have had a few shots of Scotch Whiskey.

Food for the evening includes Haggis, Cock-A-Leekie Soup, Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, and salad. Oh, I can't forget to mention the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Yum!

For those like me with dietary restrictions, the Buchanan Arms is always very accommodating. They provided me and others with a delicious salad with non-marinated chicken. 

If you have never experienced Rabbie Burns night at the Buchanan Arms Restaurant and Pub, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

Buchanan Arms Restaurant and Pub
2013 West Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 845- 0692

Haggis
 FYI: Food laws in the U. S. prohibit the making of haggis with all the traditional ingredients.

Bangers and Mash
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Scotch Whiskey
The Bagpiper - Dan Speaker


Piping in the Haggis and Address to a Haggis

Burns, Baby, Burns! from Eddie Lin on Vimeo.