Burns Night

Last night, January 25, was Burns Night, a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns. Burns, also known as Robbie Burns, was the national poet of Scotland, and January 25 was his birthday (the original one occurring in 1759).

Harlaxton, being close in proximity to Scotland, held its own Burns Night celebration. Students and faculty crammed into the Bistro for some poetry reading:

And some haggis, a traditional Scottish dish memorialised as the national dish of Scotland by Burns' poem "Address to a Haggis" in 1787.

What's haggis, you ask?   This:

It is (quoting wikipedia): sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.

Alan tried some, and reported it good.  "Spicy, seasoned, savory.  Doesn't taste like chicken."

The students tried some, as did Alan's colleague Dr. Kim:

And his delightful daughter Christine:

Everyone (well, maybe not Christine, who's a bit underage) also enjoyed Scotch whiskey to celebrate the occasion.