It’s time to raise a toast to Haggis in honor of the great Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns.  For more than two centuries, people around the world have been gathering for Burns’ birthday on January 25.  The tradition started a few years after his death in 1796 when his friends commemorated his career on the date of his death (July 21) each year.

 

Each year, those celebrating their Scottish ancestry come together to exalt the life and poetry of Burns. The annual celebration dinner for The Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia will take place on January 21, gathering at 5:30p.m. with the formal dinner starting at 6:00p.m. at Via Veneto in Bridgeport. 

 

The menu will feature collops of beef or chicken with leek as well as haggis, Scotland’s national dish.  As per tradition, bagpipers will be performing, bonnie lasses will be sung, and kilts will be on display as they toast the poet and enjoy a performance by 2016 U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion Sean Heely.  He will play original music from the 18^th century Scotland that was used by Burns in many of his works. 

 

The event is open to the public and will conclude by singing one of his original tunes, Auld Lang Syne. Elected as the “Greatest Scot” in 2009, Burns counted Mozart and Sir Walter Scott among his friends.  He was a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and his works inspired the founders of both liberalism and socialism, as well as many Scottish poets, musicians and authors.

 

Reservations for the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia’s Robert Burns Dinner can be made by searching for the group on Facebook.  Tickets are $40 and reservations with payment can be sent to SHSNCWV P.O. Box 1177, Bridgeport, WV 26330.