BY MARY WICOFF
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — When you walk in, the room is swirling with Scottish culture — men in kilts, women with tartan shawls, bagpipers playing haunting melodies.
“It has the feel of something different — that’s the first impression as you walk in the door,” Isobel Stuart Miller said. “It’s an evening you’ve never experienced before.”
It’s an evening devoted to the wit and wisdom of Robert Burns, Scotland’s beloved poet and lyricist. And this year’s event is even more special, as it marks the 250th anniversary of his birth.
The 42nd Royal Highlanders, Inc., of which Miller is a member, will present a Burns Supper at 6:30 p.m. EST Saturday at The Trails banquet center in West Lafayette.
Between 200 and 250 people are expected to attend the event. Burns suppers are held across the world, but the one in West Lafayette is the only one in this immediate area.
Burns was born Jan. 25, 1759, and died in July 1796 at age 37. On the night of Jan. 25, 1802, nine friends gathered at a small cottage for dinner, song and poetry to celebrate Burns’ life.
More than 200 years later, the basic format of the suppers remains unchanged.
“You don’t have to be Scottish. You don’t have be a literature major (to enjoy it),” said Preston Smith, president of the board for the 42nd Royal Highlanders. “There’s a little something for everybody.”
That includes Scottish cuisine and dances, poetry, humorous toasts and music of bagpipes, fifes and drums. Door prizes for Scottish-theme gifts, such as shortbread, Scotch and golf items, will be awarded.
The 42nd Royal Highlanders’ Pipe Band will perform, as well as its Whole Nine Yards dancers. The Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers are expected to perform.
“It really is a fun evening,” said Miller, a Glasgow native who’s been in the United States 45 years. If it’s your first time, she said, you wonder, “What’s coming next?”
Miller attended a couple of Burns suppers in her native country, and noted the West Lafayette one is fairly authentic. There’s a book that prescribes the format of the suppers.
The evening begins with the pipe band playing; then, soup is served.
HONORED HAGGIS
Next, with great ceremony, the haggis is brought in, escorted by bagpipers.
Miller will use Burns’ words to praise the haggis and then will slice open the meat dish. Traditionally, haggis was made with sheep’s pluck (heart, liver and lungs), which was minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices and salt, mixed with stock and boiled in an animal’s stomach.
However, today’s commercial haggis is cooked in a sausage casing.
Saturday’s haggis will come from Winston’s Meats in Chicago.
People seem to either love haggis or hate it.
Smith said, “Enjoying haggis is always a bonus (for those who attend). Most will eat a few bites to say they did and some will get multiple plates.”
If haggis is leftover, people may buy a loaf to take home for $10-15.
Despite her Scottish background, Miller said she usually eats just a tablespoon of haggis. The accompanying bashed neeps (mashed turnips) help the meat dish go down, she said.
“I eat it because I feel I ought to,” Miller said. “It’s very much a personal preference.”
After people enjoy — or pretend to enjoy — the haggis and turnips, the main course and dessert will be served.
Then come dancing and speeches, with the evening ending about 10 p.m.
The Whole Nine Yards — a dance group started by Miller 15 years ago — will perform; the audience will have a chance to dance, as well.
Although the evening is somewhat scripted, people write their own speeches. Miller gave “The Immortal Memory” keynote address for 16 years, and also has given the response to “Toast to the Lassies.”
This year, Scott Mandrell will come in from St. Louis to give “Toast to the Lassies.”
PROUD HERITAGE
For those with Scottish background, the evening is a chance to show off their kilts and tartans.
“It’s a night to show your clan colors,” Miller said. “If you have it, flaunt it.”
Otherwise, “smart casual” is the dress code.
She noted the dinner is not a money-maker; rather, it’s an outreach to the community.
“We’re very proud of our heritage and we want to share it with everyone,” Miller said.
The Royal Highlanders promotes Scottish culture and history within the community, sponsors concerts and provides speakers for events. The group’s pipe band has performed at Arts in the Park in Danville in the past.
The pipe band has about 24 members and the dance group, about 12-15 people.
The Burns Supper is the group’s premier event.
BURNS’ LIFE
Burns, also known as the Ploughman Poet and the Bard of Ayrshire, is regarded as Scotland’s national poet. He wrote in the Scots dialect of the time, as well as in standard English, especially when giving political commentary.
He’s regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and his influence has been strong in Scottish literature.
Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting him. His poem “Auld Lang Syne” is a New Year’s Eve favorite.
Other popular works are “(My Love is Like a) Red, Red Rose,” “To a Louse,” “To a Mouse,” “Ae Fond Kiss” and “A Man’s a Man for a’ That.”
COMING UP
The 42nd Royal Highlanders, Inc. will present its 26th annual Scottish supper honoring poet Robert Burns on Saturday.
Cocktails (cash bar) will be served at 5:30 p.m. EST, with the supper starting at 6:30 p.m., at The Trails, 325 Burnett’s Road, West Lafayette, near Interstate 65 and Indiana Route 43. Tickets are $35 a person the week of the supper, and reservations should be made by Wednesday.
For more information, visit the Web site http://www.42ndrhr.org
You also may write to: 42nd Royal Highlanders, P.O. Box 2412, West Lafayette, IN 47996 or call (765) 497-2467.
