Here we go again! After glasses were raised all over the globe to the 'Immortal Memory of Robert Burns' last year, on the 250th anniversary of his birth, we just felt it right to make this an annual event. So emails and newsletters are being sent in their thousands asking fans of Burns and Scotland to register their Toasts again this year. It would be fantastic to beat last year's total of 27602.
This year was Robert Burns 250th Anniversary. It was our 5th. That is our 5th time hosting Burns Night in our home. We had a festive time as usual but this did feel a bit more special. We take pride in enccompassing all the traditional elements of the night with a bit of western relaxed atmosphere thrown in. We ask all those attending who wish to, to add something to the evening. The result being not only Robert Burns but poetry and stories by and about people in the room: Original songs mixed with Sweet Afton and Ae Fond Kiss. This year tended to be more traditonal except for Mae West (aka Chip Wells) giving the Toast to the Laddies. What can you expect when you get a bunch of actors, writers, musicains and school teachers together. My son Brendan gave the traditional "Address to the Haggis" after it was presented by future son-in-law Paul Hamilton and piped in by Will Lamont. "To a Louse" was read by Leslie Stoupas and Ryan Fleming (a descendent of Burns) read "To a Mouse". The Immortal Memory was given by yours truely this year while Mike and Chip Wells toasted the Lassies and Laddies respectively. Collage, a group consisting of myself, wife Karen, Pam and Eames Peterson Sang several song including Ye Jacobites, Rattlin' Roarin' Willy, and Sweet Afton and accompanied Kristen Carlson on Ae Fond Kiss. We also led Sing Alongs on Willy brewed a Peck of Malt and A Man's a Man. Jeff Carlson, Luthern minister and accomplished actor, Gave us an inspired rendition of Tam O' Shanter accompanied by sound effect from the assembly. After Auld Ange Syne everyone lingered not want the feeling to end. It was trueIy a special night. I am already looking forward to the 251st Anniversay.
Dawson City celebrates the joint birthdays of Robbie Burns and Robert Service in January. This year was special because of the 250 anniversary of Robbie Burns. Temperatures outside were -35˚C but inside the climate was warm and jovial as good food, fellowship and fun were shared.
As we walked along the Union Canal this morning with our dog Holly we started chatting about what we would buy Robert on his anniversary if he was with us today. Once back at our computers we started a search and were amazed how many items have been produced in his name, from t-shirts to stamps from whisky to mugs.
Some tacky and some smart, the one we both liked the most is the limited edition 2 pound Gold Coin produced by The Royal Mint. The coin is truly beautiful though we think that Jean would only be able to afford the Silver version. Steve & Julie
On Sunday the 25th our little party of "jolly beggars" will be raising our glasses to the Scottish Bard along with the rest of the world, from way down South here in Mobile Alabama. Our heartiest wish will be the realisation of Burns' finest prophecy:
That man to man the world o'er Shall brithers be, for a' that!!!
The nerves are jangling with only a few days to go until the Bard’s 250th Anniversary!!!Steve and I cannot thank you all enough for your enthusiasm and support with what has been a fantastic global challenge.
We now have a ‘Worldwide Toast Table’ on the home page and if you scroll down to below the YouTube, and click read more……….you will be able to view those who have already registered their toasts.We will update this on a regular basis (daily if possible) and please do email us your photos for the gallery.
Recent toasts have offered us a rare selection of clubs/groups across the globe.
From North America, we have the Escanders and the Fraser Cheam Regional Pipe Band from Canada and the Scottish St Andrew’s Society of Springfield, Minnesota, USA.
A lovely range of supporters from the UK with the Leeds Physics Group and the Scottish Gaelic Class, City Lit in London, England being the first to toast Burns in Gaelic!From Scotland the Alamo Burns Club in Paisley and GlasgowUniversity Faculty of Arts.
All the way from Australia, the Rt wor Br. Ron Frame on behalf of Lodge Ophir No 17 of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT sends greetings to all Burns Celebrants.
The Lodge will be celebrating its Burns night on the evening of Thursday, 22nd January since this is the regular meeting night for the Lodge. The worshipful master David Levesque has arranged a great evening including haggis!
The address, done in the true Scottish manner supported by two pipers and the toast to the Bard by a Scottish son.
Have a fantastic evening Lodge Ophir No 17 and all the very best from the Worldwide Toast.
It has been a historic day as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America and one that I am so glad to have experienced in my lifetime.I can say the same about the 250th Anniversary of Robert Burns and quirkily both of them taking place only a few days apart.
Time for change and that seems to have been what Robert Burns would have been proud of, just like Obama, from humble roots and with a compassion for the common man.
On this fine day, may we welcome news of toasts across Scotland with the Irvine Rotary Club, Eglinton Burns Club, the Cumnock Bowling Club and Helensburgh Rotary Club starting off the Scottish tally.
Our Australian cousins, far across the globe, are also taking part with thanks to Lodge Gymea No 796, Lodge John Williams in Sydney and Lodge Kingsford Smith.
I should hasten to give a mention to Newfoundland in Canada, when Jeff & Nancy of CBC Radio Morning Show raised a glass too!!
Finally, thanks to the Alabama Scots for sharing the events of their Burns Night in Vestavia Hills which was a raging success.
I think I have no choice but to make next year’s mission a “Worldwide Burns Supper Crawl!”Now, that’s a thought!
The Caledonian Society of Alabama hosted a very successful Burns Night Supper in honor of Scotland's National Poet Robert Burns Saturday January 17th at the Wald Park Lodge in Vestavia Hills. The event featured appropriate Scottish-themed music and entertainment with bagpipes, songs of Robert Burns, and Scottish dancing to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of "Scotland's Favorite Son" Robert Burns. The lodge was beautifully decorated by Society member Melanie Fay Johnson with plaid tablecloths and tartan banners hung about the room. Many members and attendees were dressed in their clan and family tartans.
The attendees enjoyed a social hour with cocktails starting at 6PM. The festivities began as the chairman for the evening and Society president Paul Franklin gave a very warm welcome to the many guests present, many of whom were attending a Burns Night event for the first time. The chairman then recited "The Selkirk Grace," upon which time the the haggis was carried in by Gilbert Douglas, led by Pipe Major Ryan Morrison in full Scottish dress. John MacQueen carried the traditional toasts for the Piper and the Chef.
All guests were then invited to participate in setting a Guinness World Record for the "Largest Worldwide Toast," a project conceived by Julie Deans and Steve Higson of Falkirk, Scotland. In all, 117 participated in the toast.
Robert Burns' immortal "Address to a Haggis" was then delivered in true Scottish style by the event chairman. The traditional haggis dish accompanied a most appetizing potluck feast, including shepherd's pie, neeps and tatties, several dishes of common southern fare, and even a vegetarian haggis.
During dinner the attendees were entertained by balladeer Claude Hicks of Atlanta, Georgia, singing the songs of Robert Burns along with a complimentary selection of other traditional Scottish folk songs.
The toast to the "Immortal Memory of Robert Burns" was delivered by John Fancher. He went on to give a short insight of the life and times of Burns.
A Scottish Country Dance demonstration was then led by Royal Scottish Country Dance Association certified teacher Karen Cunningham, along with dancers Ryan Morrison, Sherry Morrison, and Vicki Rich. The group performed a traditional dance called the "Petronella," then conducted an audience participation dance with almost half the event's attendees to participate.
John MacQueen then conducted a fund raising raffle featuring various Scottish-themed items such as Scotch mini bottles, several sgian dhus, and a nicely framed print of a soldier of the 42nd Regiment.
The final entertainment of the evening featured the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band of Birmingham, Alabama, led by Pipe Major Ryan Morrison with Pipe Sergent Brian Bowman and Pipers Thomas Caucutt, John Kelley, Kathleen Ryan, and Randy Swofford. The band performed from the center of the room, where at the end of the evening the attendees held hands in a circle around the pipers and sang "Auld Lang Syne," written by Robert Burns.
For more information about the Caledonian Society of Alabama, please visit www.alabamascots.info.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone who have already raised their glasses to The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, so very much appreciated and we cannot thank you enough.
Worldwide support has been fantastic and at this initial stage, North America are definitely taking the lead.
Thanks to David Dent of the Celtic Society of Southern Maryland for this fantastic blog of their Burns Supper. I was sitting at my desk chanting away “the deil’s awa with the Exiseman!” and when I read the rendition of the toast itself, I felt so very proud.
Alabama Scots are also enthusiastic and Ryan was good enough to relate to us “All went swimmingly well with our most successful Burns Night to date! We all participated in the Toast and it was very exciting! I read your note just prior to the toast and it brought the excitement to a fever pitch!”Well done Ryan and the Alabama Scots who registered an impressive 117 glasses raised!
The Down East Society of North Carolina also deserve a mention and our heartfelt thanks for taking part.
Now up and over the border to the Sons of Scotland in Winnipeg, Canada who were one of the first to submit a photo of their event but they are looking very lonely up there on our photo gallery so keep the photos rolling in.Many thanks to all of those Sons of Scotland in Winnipeg.
So thanks once again to everyone who have taken part so far and if Barack Obamahappens to have found a wee minute to view our site, then Good Luck for tomorrow Barack, our thoughts and best wishes are with you for such a historic event in our lifetime.
I have been asked this evening to discuss the Immortal memory of Robert
Burns. And while I am loathe to expound, within earshot, on such topics without
preparation, I am going to do this, more or less, extemporaneously as the
world has conspired to prevent this from happening.
Robert Burns was a farmer and later an exciseman – or tax collector. It
was not a
"trade" that was admired by the common people and it would be fare
to say that excisemen at this time were, to say the least, unpopular and that
attitudes towards them were, shall we say, ambivalent.
He had had some minor success as the “ploughman poet” and had many important
friends and influential acquaintances including the Earl of Glencairn. Through
favors and letters he was given the position of Exciseman of Dumphries.
But we are not here to toast the farmer or the exciseman. In fact, it is
safe to say that Burns himself had little esteem for his own profession:
The deil cam fiddlin' thro' the town, And danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman, And ilka wife cries, "Auld Mahoun, I wish you luck o' the prize, man."
Chorus
The deil's awa, the deil's awa,
The deil's awa wi' the Exciseman,
He's danc'd awa, he's danc'd awa,
He's danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman.
We'll mak our maut, and we'll brew our drink,
We'll laugh, sing, and rejoice, man,
And mony braw thanks to the meikle black deil,
That danc'd awa wi' th' Exciseman.
Chorus
There's threesome reels, there's foursome reels,
There's hornpipes and strathspeys, man,
But the ae best dance ere came to the land
Was-the deil's awa wi' the Exciseman.
Robert Burns lived a simple life, cut short by illness. He
had little faith that he would be remembered as either a great man or be honored
by his friends. He wrote in 1786 to his friend Gavin Hamilton, “For
my own affairs, I am in a fair way of becoming as eminent as Thomas à Kempis,
or John Bunyan; and you may expect henceforth to see my birthday inscribed
among the wonderful events, in the Poor Robin and Aberdeen Almanacks,
along with the Black Monday and the Battle of Bothwell-bridge.”
Burns lived out what was left of his short life in the employment
of the Excise in Dumfries. Towards the end he had rather strangely been advised
by his doctor and friend (Dr. Maxwell) that bathing in the sea on the Solway
Firth would alleviate his problems.
All this did was hasten him to his grave. Robert Burns on
21 July 1796. He was only thirty seven years and seven months old. (excerpt
from Lament For James, Earl Of Glencairn)
'O, why has Worth so short a date,
While villains ripen grey with time!
Must thou, the noble, gen'rous, great,
Fall in bold manhood's hardy prime?
Why did I live to see the day,
A day to me so full of woe?
O, had I met the mortal shaft
Which laid my benefactor low!
'The bridegroom may forget the bride
Was made his wedded wife yestreen;
The monarch may forget the crown
That on his head an hour has been;
The mother may forget the child
That smiles sae sweetly on her knee;
But I'll remember thee, Glencairn,
And a' that thou hast done for me!
Burns was remembered by his friends and fans. But he was not
thought of in the past tense like Shakespeare’s plays, or recalled dimly like
a Kipling poem. He was a participant present with a meal, an honorarium and
recitations. Clubs were formed to read poetry in his honor and to toast his
memory. Without trying, Robert Burns had spawned a formula for Immortality.
Friends + Entertainment + Duplication = Tradition.
Tradition equals Immortality
Rabbie loved tradition, and so it should come as no surprise that his friends
would have rallied to make a tradition around his life. The first dinner
was held in 1802 to memorialize the death of Robert Burns, but on Jan 29,
1805, in Paisley Scotland, the format was set. The “Dinner” (capital D) was
born.
By his fiftieth birthday in 1809 there were already dozens of dinners being
held around
Scotland
and England. By 1859 the tradition was international with hundreds of dinners
being held worldwide. By 1909 there were thousands of events. This year, the
250th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated by hundreds of
thousands of people.
But to give you some sense of how unchanged this tradition
is, let me share "Address delivered at the celebration of the birth of
Burns at the Paisley Burns Anniversary Society in the year 1805” originally
Delivered by the President of the Paisley Burns Club, William McLaren.
"gentlemen,—It is with infinite pleasure that I see, at
this moment, so many men of taste, so many fond and enthusiastic lovers of
Scottish song, met on this evening to celebrate the birth of our immortal bard.
Let those whom fortune has placed in a more elevated situation in life, basking
in the sunshine of prosperity, bind the fading laurel round the brow of the
hero, who returns to his native land, rich with the spoils of a ravaged country,
and clotted with the blood of an innocent people ; be it ours to give the night
to festivity and joy, on which Nature, partial to cold Scotia, gave her a Burns,
a name which will remain the proudest boast of our country; a name which will
excite the veneration of an admiring world till the springs of Nature decay,
and time itself will be no more. Born in an obscure situation in life, and
nursed in the lap of poverty, he knew not those advantages for which we are,
probably, indebted for the most finished productions of our language, but guided
by the warm impulses of nature, he sung what he felt, and his songs will be
admired for ever.
"When the entreaties
of friends and the cruelties of fortunes (alas! too often the melancholy attendant
of genius) first bade our bard submit his juvenile productions to the eye of
an admiring world, his discerning countrymen saw with delight, not the weak
efforts of presumptuous pedantry, struggling into notice, but the glorious
dawnings of a transcendent genius—a genius not to be weakened by time, nor
depressed by misfortune—a genius who would, like the radiant lamp of heaven,
move onward with increasing beauty, till, gaining his meridian splendour, when
every surrounding object would be obscured in the lustre of his superior blaze.
"The dark clouds of
adversity which had long overshadowed our bard, now began to vanish, happily
for himself, but more happily for his country, as the angry frowns of a cruel
world had determined him to seek a milder fortune in one of those hospitable
isles which Nature had scattered on the bosom of the Atlantic Ocean.
"Transported from the
bosom of honest austerity, to the more refined circle of opulence and power,
his many and respectable friends indulged the hope of seeing him placed in
a situation, where, undisturbed by the cares of the world, he might pursue
those studies for which nature had so admirably fitted him to excel. But, gentlemen,
shall I mention it? those minions of power, those favourites of fortune, suffered
one of the brightest geniuses that ever adorned a country, to drudge through
life a common exciseman! Ye generous patrons of exalted merit, when your vain
glorious names shall be forgot, when your proud monuments shall lie prostrate
in the dust, the name of our neglected bard shall flourish with unabated lustre.
The tyranny of kings, the oppression of rulers, or the corruption of the people,
may, at some future period, disturb the tranquillity of the world; arts, commerce,
manufactures, and even a love for song itself, may sink in the vortex of destructive
ruin, but when the gleam of discord shall have vanished, and returning felicity
again illumine the brows of my countrymen, then shall the songs of our bard
awaken the echoes of the morning. The musty walls of humble poverty, and the
splendid palace of affluence and grandeur, shall alike resound his praise.
But as the most general approbation is always clouded by some discordant voice,
as our bard, by accustoming his imagination to an unrestrained indulgence,
has not failed to waken the poisonous tongue of angry calumny, which has blazoned
him to the world as an enemy to virtue. Gentlemen, I would consider it an insult
offered to the discernment of this respectable company were I to labour a refutation
of an assertion which almost every page of the writings of this admirable poet
is calculated to deny; quotations might be given, but 'twere an endless task,
and as well might unlettered enthusiasm endeavour to arrest the progress of
nature, as point out the many beautiful, the many virtuous expressions that
adorn the writings of our inimitable Burns.
"Hail happy Caledonia!
though no clustering grapes hang pendant from thy barren mountains, though
no spicy forests adorn thy fertile valleys, yet thou hast a richer and a prouder
boast; a bard, formed in the prodigality of nature, with an imagination fertile
as the sunbeams.
"While the pride'of
ancient times boasts of a Homer and a Virgil, while England bids the world
admire a Milton and a Pope, where is the Scotchman that would not proudly proclaim
to the world the name of an Ossian and a Burns. Ossian, the transcendent lustre
of thy genius has already bade defiance to the ravages of many ages, for pleasant
are thy songs, as the dawn of morn to the benighted wanderer, when the flaky
snow descends and all the world is silent and dark! And shall thy glorious
name, immortal Thomson, be forgot, when we swell the strain of panegyric to
our country's bards? No! While the sun's re-animating heat calls forth the
spiky blasts from the bosom of the pregnant spring; while ardent summer displays
her blossoming flow'rets to the golden day; while yellow autumn waves rich
with the produce of a luxuriant year; or the howling blast of angry winter
raves with threat'ning fury o'er cold Scotia's hills, thy fame shall last,
and the guardian genius of thy native isle proudly own thee as her son!
"Roll on, ye winged
times, and, in your proud career, smile at the ruin of the great and the fall
of the mighty; but weak the efforts of thy tyrannic arm to erase from the memory
of a grateful people the virtues of those men who have raised our country to
a proud preeminence among the nations of the world. For me, departed bards,
when my heart ceases to thrill with rapture to the melodies of your songs,
may the haggard hand of misery wring my flinty bosom; may the soft tears of
sympathy never wet my sallow cheeks, but may I sneak through life, scorned
by the world and hated by myself.
Gentlemen, I certainly feel this the proudest moment of my life, in having it in my power, by your choice, to toast in so respectable a company...
Blah, blah, blah...You know it ends. (Wait for people to lower their glasses). Don't worry, there's not that much more to go.
This year, there is going to be a record set for the largest
“Worldwide Toast” to Robert Burns. Our group is one of thousands participating
and we hope to be one small part of the attempt. Please Stand.
To lend authority to this event, when we give the toast, we must say in
unison “The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns”. Ladies and Gentlemen, as it
has been for over two hundred years... Please raise your glasses to…
Greetings and good luck to all of the members of the Caledonian Society of Alabama who will be hosting their Burns Supper later tonight kicking off at 6pm Alabama time!! I am sure you will all have a fantastic time and here's to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.
On a wild and windy night here in Central Scotland we will be thinking about you and I am sure we can raise a glass too (well, it's a Saturday night and the thought of a wee dram is a "cannae no take!").
Greetings from a stormy day here in Falkirk with the neighbour’s wains birthday bunting destroyed by the ferocious winds – wee shame but nothing a dollop of green jelly willnae put to rights!!
We are making good headway with our efforts to contact all of the Robert Burns in the world and invite them to email us a photo to display on our photo gallery.
If you have time to take a wee look you will see that there is an extremely cute Robbie Burns in the animal gallery section as well as the handsome guys under Burns United!!
Well done to the first three guys who were brave enough to contact us so thanks to:
- Robert Burns, originally from Michigan but now living in Italy where there is currently ten inches of snow in Voghera. I am pleased to say a fellow Gemini like myself.
- Robert Burns from a chilly Leeds and check out the gals in that photo!! Ooh, aah Robert.
- Robbie Burns in Weston S Mare who runs a fantastic company called Amazing Events. If we had more time Robbie, we could have arranged a Burns Supper in an ice castle!!
So, if you know anyone with the name Robert Burns, ask him to drop us a line on info@worldwidetoasttorobertburns.com or even better, why not add to our blog?
I hope that you are well and apologies for the gap between blogs on the ‘Life and Times of the 18th Century and Robert Burns.’
This week has been particularly busy for my ‘day job!’ I own and run Gemini Walks Ltd., an accommodation booking service for long distance walks in Scotland. The walks I cover include the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way. I work with some of the best operators on the Scottish Walking scene and provide them with administrative support. It’s great fun putting together holidays for visitors to Scotland!!
Anyway, continuing my history of the 18th Century.
The Act of Union 1707
The passing of Acts of Union by both the English and Scottish Parliaments led to the creation on 1 May 1707 of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The Parliament of the United Kingdom met for the first time in October 1707.
Queen Anne addressed the House of Lords on 6 March 1707, upon the passage of the Act of Union:
"I desire and expect from all my subjects of both nations that from henceforth they act with all possible respect and kindness to one another, that so it may appear to all the world they have hearts disposed to become one people."
The two countries had shared a monarch for about 100 years (since the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne from his aunt, Queen Elizabeth I). Although described as a Union of Crowns, until 1707 there were in fact two separate Crowns resting on the same head.
Suspicion and mistrust between the two countries had prevented the union throughout the 17th century. The Scots feared that they would simply become another region of England, as had happened to Wales between 1536 and 1543. For England the fear that the Scots would take sides with France and rekindle the 'Auld Alliance' was pervasive. England depended on Scottish soldiers and to have them join ranks with the French would have been a threat to the security of the country.
There had been three attempts in 1606, 1667, and 1689 to unite the two countries by Acts of Parliament, but it was not until the early 18th century that the idea had the will of both political establishments behind them, albeit for rather different reasons.
By the beginning of the 18th century on the English side the main motivation for the Union was to ensure that the Monarch of England would be a Protestant. Whist from a Scottish perspective the Union was essential to help the country recover from the disastrous Darien Scheme (see my last Blog).
Many dithering, yet influential, Scots received financial incentives to back the Union and later in the century this led Burns to write:
“We were bought and sold for English Gold,
Sic a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation.”
Despite all the mistrust and deceit looking back on the Union the English historian Simon Schama said: "What began as a hostile merger, would end in a full partnership in the most powerful going concern in the world... it was one of the most astonishing transformations in European history."
The Union in fact led to the creation of an Empire and the scattering of Scots to all corners of the globe!
I am not sure I can image life in early eighteenth century Scotland? It would be alien to most of us. Agriculture was primitive and the Industrial Revolution was still a sparkle in the eye of the few.
The Darien Venture
At the end of the 17th Century the Darien Venture began as an ambitious scheme to establish a Scottish colony in Panama, but ended in loss of life and financial ruin.
Scotland at the end of the Seventeenth Century was in a state of crisis and a way had to be found to revive Scotland's economic fortunes before it was swallowed up by its richer neighbour south of the border.
The man who came up with the idea was the financier William Paterson, a Scot who had made his name as one of the founding directors of the Bank of England. Paterson returned to Edinburgh with an audacious scheme to turn Scotland into a major broker of trade across the Pacific Ocean. Whilst in London, he had met a sailor called Lionel Wafer, who had told him about a place called Darien in the Isthmus of Panama.
Paterson had immediately seen the potential of Darien as the location of a trading colony. Trade with the incredibly lucrative Pacific markets was an expensive business, as all merchant ships had to make the hazardous trip round Cape Horn on the southern tip of South America.
The Darien Venture was a complete disaster for Scotland. The blow to Scottish morale was incalculable. Those colonists who returned found themselves cast as pariahs in their own land.
It was an economic disaster too. The company had lost over £232,884, made up of the life savings of many of the Scottish people, Scotland was financially bankrupt. Just seven years after the failure at Darien, Scotland was forced to concede to the Act of Union, joining with England as the junior partner in the united kingdom of Great Britain. As part of the deal, England paid off Scotland's debts with the 'Equivalent', a sum of £398,000, most of which went to cover the Company of Scotland's losses. The institution established to administer this money eventually became the Royal Bank of Scotland.
No amount of money could make up for the nation's sense of betrayal, however. Many Scots believed that their chance of independence had been deliberately sabotaged by the English, and the resentment this fostered played no small part in the Jacobite rebellions which were to plague the Union.
Many thanks to the work of Dr Mike Ibeji and the BBC for the Darien details.
Notable events of the second decade are:
1710 Beijing becomes largest city of the world, taking the lead from Istanbul
1715 First Jacobite Rebellion
1718 Birth of Thomas Chippendale maker of Fine Furniture
1719 Belhaven Brewery founded in Dunbar
1719 Scot Sir William Paterson dies, a founder of Bank of England (1694)
I hope that you all had a great Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year.
I aim to start my New Year’s resolutions tomorrow with the main one being to lose weight!! Based on the belief that the more people you tell the more likely you are to succeed – what better audience to share my goal than those interested in Robert Burns and our Worldwide Toast!
One of my other resolutions is to expand my knowledge of the 18th Century and particularly the life and times of Robert Burns. This resolution was given a kick start today when I read an article in the Times Online calling Burns a drunk, racist, womaniser!!
As my knowledge of Burns grows I have begun to understand that the picture portrayed about Burns is based on modern day opinions and assumptions from observations of the Bards life.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t believe he was a saint, then who is? What I do think is wrong is that we judge him on 21st Century values instead of taking a perspective based on his own life and times.
So I would like to share with you a view of the century in which Burns was born and died. The century was one of worldwide change and revolution. Scotland was dragged, often screaming and fighting from the age of Clans and Highland Warriors to Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment.
The 18th Century began for Britain on a Monday; the country still used the Julian calendar and would not adopt the currently used Gregorian calendar until 1752. At least 23 calendar variations were in use around the globe.
At the end of the 1600’s the Scottish Darien expedition to Central America failed dramatically and cost hundreds of lives and a quarter of Scotland’s resources. Coupled with a series of poor harvests life was very hard for most of the one million people living in Scotland.
As the population grew the number of people scraping a living also grew with the rich becoming richer and the poor struggled to survive. Burns was well aware of this and his work often highlighted the unfairness of society.
Notable events of the first decade were:
1700: The Scottish Darien expedition to Central America is finally abandoned.
1700: Fire destroys the larger part of Edinburgh
1701: Death of William Kidd of Greenock known as Captain Kidd the pirate
c1702: Horse racing becomes a professional sport during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-14)
1703: The Company of Quenching of Fire (fire brigade) is founded in Edinburgh
1707: Union of the Scottish and English Parliaments.
1707: Last recorded eruption of Mount Fuji begins in Japan.
1709: Upright piano or pianoforte invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori
1709: Coke iron smelting invented fuelling the birth of the Industrial Revolution.
1709: Folding umbrella invented during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV
Each day from now until the 250th Anniversary of his birth I will share with you my observations on the times of Burns along with some of the Key events of his century and hope you can make your own mind up about the most influential poet the world has ever seen.
This blog is about asking Robert Burns to assist in fund-raising for charity. It points the way to a website which describes a model for involving the community in a worthy cause and giving all in the community a good afternoon and/or night out to enjoy themselves.
There are two events.You know what a Burns Supper is and a "Sit-down Ceilidh" is for those who are unable to do Scottish Country dancing and want to find out about a ceilidh. In fact, the afternoon event also includes a mini-Burns Supper to give the taste of the haggis etc. These events are to be held in a small town in the English West Midlands near Hereford.
which is a link to the Burns Supper. Once you have seen that, there is also a link to "Gastronomy ". This website includes pages on the haggis and other aspects of Scotland's gastronomic history.
Your comments are welcomed and there are links within the two websites.
Eariler this year I was asked to do the Immortal Memory for a Burns Night with friends, and so started my serious study of Robert Burns. In preparation I was given my late Uncles entire collection of Burns work. I used the following in a eulogy to him.
On My Own Friend And My Father's Friend, Wm. Muir In Tarbolton Mill
An honest man here lies at restAs e'er God with his image blest; The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd, Few heads withknowledge so informed: If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.
Next years Burns night I will be reciting Tam O'Shanter, I say recite because I will not be simply reading it I have been reading and reciting it everyday this year and have got to down to the point where I no longer need the book to through it.
You may well ask why a Canadian would be so interested in Burns, well both my parents are from Scotland, they insilled in us a pride for the land our family comes from, as a result I have emerged as someone who is very proud of his heritage and past, and Burns is a part of that, besides all that, I've yet to find another poet with a voice anything like that of Robert Burns he was unique.
Thanks for the wonderful little site and the fitting idea of a Worldwide toast to truly a World loved poet.
Greetings John and many thanks for your fantastic tale of Alexandria’s Christmas walk which I just love!!I could imagine sitting around a log fire with a wee dram of fine malt whisky listening to your stories all night!!
Since we started this journey towards 25th January 2009, our Worldwide Toast has given us the chance of learning more about the Bard himself. However, we have also been overwhelmed with the passion and celebration of Scotland reverberating across the world.
My maiden name is MacPherson and I wonder if we ever met up with the Clan Henderson in the dark and distant past? Hey, I just found a photo of that fine looking chap David S Henderson on the net and see that Clan Henderson originated from Glencoe, one of the most wondrous places on this earth amongst others of course!
As you probably know, the web-site was specifically designed to co-ordinate all of the ‘toasts’ around the globe but we now feel that it could become much, much more.We had never envisaged it as such, but our web-site could continue through the years as a central hub for everyone overseas who want to come together and celebrate
Scotland and all things Scottish.What do you think?
My late father was a war veteran having served in the air force at a very early age out in Dehli so it was so interesting to hear that you joined the army just at the same time the Japanese attacked
PearlHarbour. That must have been something else. In my humble opinion, the services just don’t receive the true recognition that they deserve.
Well John, I could blog all night and the red wine awaits me.Thanks so much for your Christmas tale and speak soon.
Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:
Today is Sunday 07 December 2008, the forty-first anniversary of my induction into the United States Army.
I always liked the idea that I went into the Army on the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Yesterday, Saturday 06 December 2008, was the annual Scottish Christmas Walk in Alexandria, Virginia, and boy, what a day it was!
Although the parade begins at 1100 Hours, it's always necessary to arrive hours earlier, in order to ensure finding adequate parking.
I parked my big four wheel drive pickup truck down by the river, and walked up the hill to the courthouse.
I wandered into La Madeleine, where I met President Rex Maddox and his wife, Pat, and eventually, numerous other members of Clan Henderson drifted in.
It was nice to be able to sit down and be inside, out of the cold weather.
After we'd killed some time, I walked across the street with a young couple (whose names I've forgotten) in hopes of doing some Christmas shopping among the myriad exhibits being offered in the courthouse plaza.
But, I didn't see anything I wanted to buy, and anyway, how could I buy something and then go march in the parade, since I didn't know if there would be enough time for me to walk back down to my truck before the parade started?
Actually, I had more than enough time, as it takes a long, long, long time to form up and begin the parade, so we stood around for quite a while.
As I walked to where we were forming up, I encountered a uniformed Scot carrying three full-sized flags, which he was trying to give away.
He told me he was here all by himself, representing Scotland's renowned Black Watch military regiment.
This was the largest gathering of Clan Henderson ever documented, probably occasioned by the personal appearance of our clan chief, Alistair D. Henderson of Fordell, who came here all the way from Australia.
Almost all of the Henderson men were wearing kilts, and many of them had swords, which is really saying something, for purchasing a kilt is expensive, as is purchasing a sword.
Since I live on a disability retirement pension, I consider myself very fortunate to own a kilt, complete with all my Highland regalia accessories, and a traditional Scottish basket hilt sword.
David S. Henderson, the high commissioner and clan chieftain for North America was there from North Carolina, and I was delighted to meet him, as I had grown up in North Carolina.
I admired a comely lass wearing a long green hooded cloak, who looked quite Medieval, and complimented her on it.
It turned out that she was Cari(?) Henderson, the new bride of David Henderson, the son of David S. Henderson.
She reminded me of the scenes in BRAVEHEART, of the Princess of Wales, and I wondered why women today couldn't dress more like that, as those styles were so pretty.
I also met another sweet lassie from Washington (the state), who had a sticker identifying her as being in the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Kilt", an obvious parody of the movie, SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS, a "chick flick" that I've never actually seen.
I think her name was Ellen Bentley, but I might have that wrong.
She told me that they're a group of gals who take turns wearing the same kilt, which they take to various Scottish events all over the world.
Despite the cold temperatures, it was very pleasant being in the midst of our large gathering of clansmen, chatting and getting acquainted.
As we milled around, I think our combined body heat made the day less chilly, and one fellow compared it to the survival technique employed by penguins during Antarctic storms.
Eventually, the parade got started, and we marched along, to sounds of bagpipes, drums, occasional gunfire, and cheering spectators.
Our clan bodyguard looked very impressive, holding forth their swords in salute, as our color bearers carried the flags of the United States of America, Australia (in honor of our chief), and Scotland.
Oh, but in defiance of the bitter cold, the streets were crowded with throngs of onlookers!
Among the marchers in our clan were a family with two little boys, and the wee tykes were dressed in kilts, and carried rubber swords and shields.
To everyone's delighted amusement, they scampered back and forth, waving their swords, attacking each other, and sometimes tumbling down and momentarily bawling until Mommy picked them up, and then, they'd instantly be right back at their playful pursuits.
One of the boys had a Glengarry cap way too big for him, and it kept falling over his eyes.
Enroute, we met a man dressed up in a Scottish terrier costume, and the young'uns just loved him!
When we reached the end of the parade route, Christian Garin, the head of our clan's bodyguard, urged everyone to stay together until after we'd gotten our group photograph.
Excellent photographs were taken by Gary Carnaday(?) and his wife (whose name I've forgotten!), who came here from Oklahoma City.
So many pictures were taken, by multiple photographers, that it would be impossible and impractical to e-mail them, so I'm hoping someone in our clan will make them available on a CD, or DVD, or at a web site.
You should see that camera that Gary uses!
He says he bought it for using when he goes scuba diving.
Afterwards, I began walking down to the river.
As I walked along, because I was all dressed up, wearing my kilt, with my sword at my side, and medals arrayed on my coat, tourists would ask me if the parade was still going on, and I replied that I thought it might be over, but there would still be a concert by the massed pipe and drum bands.
One group of ladies stopped me and asked if that was a knife I was wearing in my sock.
So, I explained to them about the custom of wearing a sgian dubh (pronounced "skeen doo"), and why it was done.
Sgian dubh, which is Gaelic, translates into "black knife", and the reason it's called a "black knife" is because it is normally carried concealed from view, usually secreted beneath the kilt, under the armpit.
Out of courtesy, when visiting a clansman, all other weapons are left outside the door of the home.
But, the sgian dubh is a weapon of last resort, and to be polite, it is taken from its hiding place and put in plain view, usually tucked into the top of one's hose.
Some speculate the sgian dubh is also used for eating, which might be true, but regimental dirks include a small fork and knife for eating purposes, so the sgian dubh would not be used in those instances.
I thought I was pretty tough, and that after living in Idaho, cold weather would have no affect on me.
Hey, I'm a typical macho guy, right?
NOTHING can affect ME!
I can take anything!
But, when I got to my pickup truck, I was moving in slow motion, utterly exhausted, and in severe pain.
I could hardly take my coat off and put on my sweater.
I was a good long while starting up my engine and getting out of that parking lot.
Before going to the church to participate in our clan's ceilidh (pronounced "kay lee"), I happened to drive through some secluded suburban neighborhoods in Alexandria.
I believe that in some of those Alexandria suburbs, if federal agents ever have to shoot it out with local residents, the federal agents will lose and be annihilated.
Those secluded neighborhoods are like a massive maze, unnavigable by strangers, as you need a GPS to find your way in, and you also need a GPS to find your way out.
Only the foyer was open, as all the rooms were locked, but still, I could be inside and relax in a comfortably upholstered chair, while rehearsing my songs and strumming my guitar.
It was cold in the foyer, but not nearly as cold as it was outside.
So, I played my guitar and waited - - - and waited - - - and waited - - - and waited.
The sun went down.
It was dark.
Parking lot lights activated.
I hunted for the light switch and illuminated the foyer.
WHERE was Clan Henderson?
Had they cancelled the ceilidh at the last minute?
Was someone in a terrible accident?
But, as I began singing "DANNY BOY", there was a pounding at the rear door.
It was Christian Garin needing to unload food from his car, AND it was snowing!
As I was helping Christian Garin at the back door, Mike, Joan, and Bill Henderson arrived at the front door, with lots and lots and lots of more food to be unloaded and carried in.
We kept alternately locking ourselves out of the church, because we couldn't figure out how to unlock the door and prop it open.
But, a visiting Army chaplain, a lieutenant colonel, showed us how it was done, and we had no more difficulty.
Yes, we had a HUGE turnout at our ceilidh, probably the biggest one our clan's ever had.
Chieftain Henderson's wife, Lilly, requested I instantly make up a poem on the spot, commemorating an amusing incident during the parade involving earmuffs, David Henderson, and Larry Henderson.
Yes, I was certainly put "on the spot", and so, I did a bit of pacing and worrying, as I wracked my brain trying to hurriedly create some amusing rhymes.
Before the meal began, there were snacks.
One of the snacks was (I think) dates sliced open and filled with cream cheese.
They were delicious, but I thought they looked exactly like squashed cockroaches!
Chaplain Fred Sanford (yet another "Tar Heel" from North Carolina!) pronounced an amusing traditional Scottish blessing on the meal, and we all went at it.
The tables were laden with plenty of hams, chicken, meat balls, fruits, melons, cookies, candies, and pies, along with a big bowl of non-alcoholic punch.
The entertainment began with a fellow named MacEwen(?), from Nashville, Tennessee, who recited the complete Robert Burns epic poem of TAM O' SHANTER, all from memory!
Mike Henderson said I looked worried that I might not still be the clan's bard.
But, actually, I was sitting there thinking that this guy is much better at it than I am, so why isn't he the clan's bard?
The only reason I'm the bard is because no one else wanted the job!
I was AMAZED at his ability to MEMORIZE that entire lengthy poem!
Could you believe anybody could do that?
Wow!
Then I was invited to give my brief poem, the one that had to be spontaneously created right then and there!
Let's see if I can remember what I said:
"From North Carolina, came the Henderson call, Make up a poem and start a Henderson brawl. I was put on the spot and not given much time To wrack my brain and think up a rhyme. Here is the tale they wanted told Which was caused by that day's cold. David Henderson wore earmuffs to march in the parade. Larry Henderson took them, and gave nothing in trade. So, put up your swords, and don't draw your gun. It's just Tar Heel mischief stirring up fun!"
Then, Douglas Henderson played the piano, and we all stood and sang "WALTZING MATILDA" for our chief and his lady.
We were entertained by our two (02) bagpipers, one of whom is currently on active duty in the United States Air Force.
I think there was other entertainment also, but I can't remember everything, nor can I remember everyone's name.
At each table, one person was selected to introduce everyone else at that table, telling something personal or amusing about them, so we got to meet everyone who was there.
Chief Alistair D. Henderson of Fordell officially installed Rex Maddox as President of the Chan Henderson Society of the United States of America.
Christian Garin officially installed a couple of guys as clan bodyguards for their respective state or region.
Awards were presented for exceptional service to the clan, but I don't remember to whom or what for.
Then, a few of us were invited up to have our kilts christened.
I bought my kilt a couple of years ago, but it's never been christened.
So, Ellen Bentley(?) from the State of Washington assisted me in the process, directed by Chaplain Fred Sanford.
A few drops of uisge beagh (pronounced "is kee bay ah"), which translates as "water of life", were placed in the bottom of a glass.
The lass knelt down, dipped a corner of my kilt into the wee dram, and handed the glass to me.
The chaplain invoked, having each of us repeat after him,
"This ain't no skirt. This ain't no dress. And with this drink, This kilt is blessed!"
We then downed the drink.
What a surprise I got!
I didn't know it was real whiskey!
It didn't smell like alcohol.
I thought it would just be some of the non-alcoholic punch.
But, mox nix.
The amount ingested was only equal to a teaspoon of ordinary cough medicine, so I reckon there was no real harm done.
I did drive home without getting stopped by any police or having any collisions.
So, I reckon my kilt is now officially Scottish.
I got another surprise, too.
At the end of the ceremony, that gal kissed me!
Wow!
Hey, I can't tell you how many years it's been since I've been kissed.
That is definitely something us guys need, huh?
Because of where I live, and my limited resources, I never date.
So, now, I've got a very happy memory that'll last me a long, long time, even more so, because I know nothing about that gal.
Then, Leon Hicks conducted a charity auction, benefitting an Army chaplain's program for military personnel currently in the war zones, selling numerous items, as only he can.
Probably the most interesting item being bid on was a set of books, which were truly antique.
It was eight of nine volumes, with one volume slightly damaged, of the history of Scotland's queens and England's princesses, printed over a century or two ago.
I'm guessing that it was a lot more valuable than what it sold for at the auction.
Finally, we all stood in a big circle that went all around the room, crossing arms and linking hands, as Douglas Henderson played the piano and we sang for our chief, "WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN?", followed by "AULD LANG SYNE".
I hauled my guitar out to my truck, and by the time I got back inside, tables and chairs had already been put away.
Boy, those guys are fast!
I was so tired and in so much pain, I could hardly walk, so it was sure good to finally get back to my room at the Ol' Soldiers' Home, so I could enjoy my Christmas tree and my flickering fireplace.
But, what a day that was!
Folks, if'n you've never been to a Scottish or Celtic event, I urge you to someday attend our annual Scottish Christmas Walk, and if you can, be sure and go to a ceilidh. You'll love it as much as I do!
Many thanks Christine and fantastic to hear from South Island, NZ! We have been tearing our hair out with this time zone challenge but there is just no way to get round it because of the strict Guinness World Record criteria especially since they insist that we have to attempt a “largest simultaneous toast” so everyone around the globe has to raise a glass at exactly the same time. This has been set at 9pm GMT on 25th January to fit in line with Scotland (sorry but it is the most fitting for Burns as you will understand!!).
Unfortunately, as you quite rightly highlight, this makes it extremely challenging for many parts of the world especially South Island although the toast can indeed be any drink not necessarily alcoholic!
However…….. we are so passionate about being able to co-ordinate the biggest worldwide toast ever in honour of Burns (which was our real objective in any case) that we had to make the decision for GWR to become a side issue and have recently adapted our web-site accordingly. If you visit the take part section, you will see that all you need to do to be counted as part of the overall Worldwide Toast numbers is raise a glass, count the numbers and then complete a simple on-line form which will only take a couple of minutes (the form will be on the site shortly). Of course, everyone will be encouraged to send photos and we will have a photo gallery. It should all be fantastic fun and we really do hope that the Progress Valley Possum Pickers take part.
Oh, by the way, if you want the toast also to be included in the Guinness World RecordTM Attempt, then I guess it will be 10 o’clock in the morning for you. Of course, we would always want to encourage responsible drinking but a large single malt to kick off Monday morning sometimes would be welcome (LOL!!). Hope to hear from you soon.
It'll be summer down in southernmost part of South Island NZ -- the Progress Valley Possum Pickers love to celebrate Burns Nicht at Niagara Hall with the Toast to the Haggis and plenty of Scottish dances also a Grand March - how many still do that?
So when are you all raising yr glasses? We are 13 hours ahead of UK in January. 25th is a Sunday so I guess it'll be workaday Monday for us. ohmygosh maybe breakfast time.. that'll be a big ask - does it have to be an alcoholic toast? LOL.
What a good excuse for a get-together. This sounds like a great idea. Even if it's just my husband and I - I'm sure we'll manage a wee dram (or two) to toast old Rabbie.
There again - I'm sure we can russle up a few friends to join in the fun.
Scottish Gemini, 4 Inglis Place, Brightons, Falkirk, FK2 0TE, Scotland. Telephone: +44 (0) 1324 410260
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What a good excuse for a get-together. This sounds like a great idea. Even if it's just my husband and I - I'm sure we'll manage a wee dram (or two) to toast old Rabbie.