The annual Britsoc Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh was a roaring success, a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with tickets sold out weeks ago.

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The Britsoc Burns Supper and Ceilidh is an institution of Scottish life here in the Netherlands: a night to celebrate the life and works of the national Bard.  The night was cold, the jokes old, the dancing bold, all the tickets sold.

Margaret Lambourne got everybody in the swing on the dance floor, which was packed all evening. The men saying they will dance “Only this once”. Only to be ripped from their seats as each piece of music started up.

John Cameron-Webb and his band provided some sublimely beautiful music, featuring exquisite harmonies, uplifting violin passages and subtle percussion.

John Richardson read his witty Toast to the Lassies poem, but Louise Hunter sort her revenge with her hilarious Reply to the Toast to the Lassies.

The main meal consisted of:

Starter

Traditional cock-a-leekie soup;

Main course
Haggis, neeps & tatties (Haggis wi’ bashit neeps an’ champit tatties);

Sweet
Clootie Dumpling (a pudding prepared in a linen cloth or cloot) or Typsy Laird (a Scottish sherry trifle)

I believe the Haggis was hand made at the Hielander Scottish Restaurant in Alkmaar, Netherlands.

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Piping in the haggis. Britsoc Burns Night 2013 from John Richardson on Vimeo.

Piping in the haggis

The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish life: a night to celebrate the life and works of the national Bard. Guests welcome the dinner’s star attraction, which was delivered on a silver platter by a procession comprising the chef, the piper and the person who will address the Haggis. A whisky-bearer also arrived to ensure the toasts are well lubricated. During the procession, guests clap in time to the music until the Haggis reaches its destination at the table. The music stops and everyone is seated in anticipation of the address to a Haggis.

The CADS Table