Don a kilt, regale the haggis to celebrate Scottish poet Robert Burns
Neeps and tatties, and haggis, which is presented with its own parade, are all part of the traditional celebration for Robert Burns Day.
Don a kilt, regale the haggis to celebrate Scottish poet Robert Burns Neeps and tatties, and haggis, which is presented with its own parade, are all part of the traditional celebration for Robert Burns Day. Check out this story on poughkeepsiejournal.com: https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/life/2019/01/16/regale-haggis-celebrate-scottish-poet-robert-burns/2580514002/
Lisa Iannucci, Special to Poughkeepsie Journal Published 10:00 a.m. ET Jan. 16, 2019
Born in Kingdom of Fife, Scotland, Margo Schumacher came to Poughkeepsie as a 13-year-old teenager with her parents and three siblings. When they immigrated to Dutchess County, her parents joined the Dutchess County Scottish Society to meet other Scots like them.
"It was the only place where you could really meet fellow Scots," said Schumacher, who has been a member of the group for more than 30 years and is now chairwoman.
"We have a lot in common and we love to sing," she said about the society that has more than 100 members.
They especially enjoy singing and telling tales to celebrate the Scottish poet Robert Burns.
Smyth Graham of the Dutchess County Scottish Society, left to right, addresses the haggis during a past event with Lilly Campbell, Dan Jones and Janet Whalen, Pipe Major for The Amerscot Pipe Band. (Photo: Courtesy photo)
Neeps and tatties, and haggis, which is presented with its own parade, will be part of the traditional menu when the Dutchess County Scottish Society marks the occasion Saturday, Jan. 19, at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls.
Further north in Rhinecliff, the 11th annual Traditional Robbie Burns Supper/Celebration is set for Feb. 1 at The Rhinecliff Hotel. And you can make a weekend of celebrating Scottish heritage during the Scottish Weekend, Jan. 25-27, at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz.
You don't have to be Scottish to party like one. The Dutchess County Scottish Society weclomes non-members as well and all are invited to celebrate at these events.
So whether you don a kilt or not, here's a tutorial on Scottish traditions to prepare for the upcoming festivities.
Robert Burns is depicted in this painting by Alexander Nasmyth. A Scottish bard, Burns went about reciting sometimes ribald stories through poetry and folk songs. His birthday is celebrated with traditional Scottish food and festivities. (Photo: File)
Who is Robert Burns?
Robert Burns (aka Rabbie Burns) was born Jan. 25, 1759 in Ayrshire, Scotland.
"He is called the Scottish bard because he is the original Scottish poet who wrote in Scot's dialect and who wrote for the people," said Shirley Rinaldi, second-year president of the Dutchess County Scottish Society and a member for 27 years. "He wrote for the working class, farmers and fishermen of Scotland, and they recognize Robert Burns all over the world with dinners in almost every country."
Burns wrote beautiful love poems that were put to music. His most famous is sung by people around the world on New Year's Eve.
"He wrote the poem that became 'Auld Lang Syne,' a traditional New Year's Eve song," Schumacher said.
Unisex kilts
There isn't a conversation to be had about Scottish heritage without talking about kilts.
"You'll see a lot of kilts at the Burns supper, both male and female," Rinaldi said. "In the past, women would not wear kilts, but they do now. Females also wear sashes and everybody has their own tartan that is associated with their family."
According to VisitScotland.com, the kilt originated in the Highlands and was originally an untailored, 5-meter-long piece of cloth. It was worn both around the waist, similar to a modern kilt, but the remaining fabric was also draped over the shoulder and pinned.
Savor the haggis
Before you crinkle your nose and spew an ew, read on. According to Rinaldi, the original haggis was made of sheep's offal, or organ meat — entrails, kidneys and bladder — mixed with oatmeal.
"The original one was stuffed and cooked in a sheep's bladder," Rinaldi said. "It's tasty, and it's an important tradition, especially at Burns suppers. The haggis we make is not sheep's bladder and it doesn't have all the entrails because that's illegal in the United States today. So we go to a butcher who makes a very big sausage, and for our haggis we mix hamburger meat, kidney, oatmeal, a lot of whiskey and then we stick it in this casing and cook it."
Rinald said it tastes like, "Spicy hamburger meat."
Jeremy Freeman will perform on the bagpipes during the Feb. 1 event at The Rhinecliff. (Photo: Vicki Farmer/Courtesy photo)
The drone of bagpipes
Love 'em or hate 'em, there's one absolute truth about bagpipes — the sound is unique.
Jeremy Freeman heard bagpipes for the first time when he was in the first grade and promised himself he'd learn to play them one day. When fourth grade came, Freeman joined band and started learning how to play.
"The sound had a pretty big effect on me, including the three drones that make the humming sound and the chanter where the melody comes from," said the Cornwall resident who teaches English literature at the Storm King School and will be performing at the Burns dinner at The Rhinecliff. For Freeman, participating in the event is about having fun celebrating Scottish culture.
"It's a cool place, and having a meal there is a good way to spend your evening," he said. "The food is good and haggis isn't as scary as people think it is. People are going to cut up and yell, read poems and engage in the theatrical banter.."
But when it comes to playing bagpipes, Freeman said the best compliment he's ever received in the 33 years he's been playing is, "I used to hate them until I heard you play."
"The Burns night and Gaelic culture is really important culturally," Freeman said. "There are lots of old stories and it connects to an old way of life, and there's something romantic about it. The older I've gotten, the more I appreciate it."
For Schumacher, her favorite Scottish tradition comes at the end of the year.
"When I was growing up, New Year's Eve in Scotland is called Hogmanay," she said. "The young kids would go out in the streets to the neighbors' houses, and the parents would stay home, and they would have cakes and liquor, and food, and songs going on at the houses. The kids would have to go to as many houses as they (could) and it just went on all night. So much fun!"
Contact freelance writer Lisa Iannucci at features@poughkeepsiejournal.com
Dutchess County Scottish Society's 107th annual Burns Supper: 5:30 p.m., cocktails; 6:15 p.m., ceremony, Jan. 19; Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Road, Wappingers Falls; dinner and dancing with DJ Michael Alevras, the Amerscot Highland Pipe Band and the Braemar Dancers; $50, adults; $28, children under 16. Call 845-471-5825; visit http://dutchesscountyscottishsociety.com/
Traditional Robbie Burns Supper: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Feb. 1; The Rhinecliff Hotel, 4 Grinnell St., Rhinecliff; $40.95 and $49.95; $149, overnight room rates; reservations suggested. Call 845-876-0590; visit www.therhinecliff.com
Scottish Weekend: Jan. 25-27, Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz; musicians, concerts, Scotch whisky tasting, "Address to the Haggis," a ceilidh, Scottish country dance, bagpipe-playing and kilt-making. For reservations, call 855-883-3798; visit https://www.mohonk.com/events/mohonk-classics/scottish-weekend/
HISTORICAL RE-ENACTORS: History unfolds through talented guises
LOCAL HISTORY: Montgomery's historic Colden House marks 250 years
Read or Share this story: https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/life/2019/01/16/regale-haggis-celebrate-scottish-poet-robert-burns/2580514002/