Robert Burns, the bard of Scotland, would have had a pleasant evening at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown on Saturday night. More than 100 Vineyarders turned out for the 24th annual Robert Burns Nicht Supper. There were toasts. Members of the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard recited the poet’s words and sang his lyrics. They shared in the humor of a good Scottish story.
Though the bard lived more than 200 years ago, he remains a friend to all Scots, though you didn’t have to be of Scottish descent to enjoy the good cheer. Men, frequently referred to as laddies on the night, wore kilts. The lassies too were lovely, and there was plenty of singing by both.
Exposing one’s knees on a night when the temperature hovered around the teens was a notable feat for man or woman.
The eight-page program was loaded with poems and lyrics. The crowd sang The Star Spangled Banner, Loch Lomond and Auld Lang Syne. There were toasts to the Queen and to the President. There was a raffle and an auction.
The traditional haggis was served and this year in keeping with the locavore theme, came from the Allen Farm in Chilmark.
A processional opening parade was led by Tony Peak, a Vineyard Haven Scottish bagpiper. He marched steadily with purpose through the room, followed by Levon Wallace, executive chef of the hotel, dressed in white. Mr. Wallace carried the haggis and was followed by Andy Wiener, playing the bodhran, an Irish drum; they were followed by all the distinguished gentlemen wearing their kilts.
Once the ceremonial dish was in its prominent place on a white-clothed table, Alan Reekie of West Tisbury paid tribute to both the evening’s haggis and its origin, the sheep. He recited from memory the Robert Burns poem: Ode Tae a Haggis.
There were many toasts. David Wilson of Oak Bluffs gave a toast to the President of the United States. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem.
Madeline Fisher of Edgartown gave the toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was followed by the singing of God Save the Queen.
Speaking with a deep Scottish brogue, Alan Renfrew of Saunderstown, R.I., a special invited guest, shared stories and spoke of a greater understanding of Robert Burns and his day in Scottish history, a time when education was available only to the wealthy, yet Robbie had learned much from his father, a farmer.
Ian Aitchison, gave a Toast to Scots Around the World. He said the country’s biggest contribution to the world was its one big export item: “Its greatest resource are its people.”
A Toast to the Lassies was given by Steve Ewing of Edgartown, and A Toast to the Laddies was given by Deborah Medders, of Vineyard Haven.
Clarence A. (Trip) Barnes 3rd auctioned a number of special items ranging from two round-trip tickets on a Cape Air flight to two woodcarvings of a Scottish figure by Edgartown resident Dick Brown.
There was also a raffle, which together with the auction raised over $3,000 for the scholarship fund. Chris Scott, president of the society, said: “This is the best we’ve done in four or five years. Despite the fact that the audience was almost all Scottish, they decided to help the scholarship fund and they came through.”
Comments
Comment policy »