On Jan. 25, Scots around the world celebrate the birthday of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s favourite son. In T.O., a St. Andrew’s Society piper and a Simply Highland dancer fête the Ploughman Poet.
Any of the many Burns celebrations – the St. Andrew’s Society does a celebration at the Statue of Burns in Allan Gardens. Or a Scottish restaurant, like the Caledonian. |
Where can non-Scots go to feel like Scots on Burns Day? |
Any pub, such as the Loaded Dog, where we danced last year. |
Baird’s Scottish Bakery, Allen’s Scottish Butchers, But “N” Ben Butchers and Meat on the Beach. There are probably more. | Where do you even find haggis in Toronto? | Allen’s Scottish Butchers on Weston Road or any fish and chips shop. |
The trick here is that the lower legs are protected by thick woolen hose, and the kilt is also made of thick wool and keeps you warm surprisingly well. | How does a brave lad or lass pull off a kilt in the dead of winter? | By wearing thick wool socks. |
The parade of the haggis followed by Burns’s “Address to a Haggis” and the serving of this fine dish accompanied by neeps and tatties [turnips and potatoes]. | Most essential Burns Night tradition? | Piping in the haggis and cutting it open after the Robbie Burns poem is said. |
“O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! |
Favourite line by Robbie Burns? |
“O my Luve’s like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June.” |
Burns Statue Event, Allan Gardens, 11:30 a.m., Jan. 25 www.standrews-society.ca |
Delmanor Wynford, 2:30 p.m., Jan. 25 Belmont House, 7 p.m., Jan. 25 www.simplyhighland.ca |