The Martha's Vineyard Times

Scottish Society raises a cup of good cheer to a bonnie fellow

By Tony Omer
February 1, 2012

Photo by Ralph Stewart

Members pose with chef Shaun Sells, presenting the haggis he made from Allen Farm sheep at the Scottish Society of Martha's Vineyard's 25th celebration of the birth of Robert Burns. [More Photos]

Music, good food and drink, and at least six toasts livened things up for more than 100 Islanders, including an impressive subset of men in classic Scottish kilts, at the 253rd anniversary celebration of the birth of the Scottish poet Robert Burns on Saturday, Jan. 28. The festivities took place at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.

This was the 25th year that the Scottish Society of Martha's Vineyard has sponsored the annual Burns Nicht Supper. Prescribed by tradition, the dinner is served around a program that is used by similar groups around the globe. One essential component, the haggis, was prepared on the Island from Allen Farm sheep innards. For the first time here, "The Immortal Memory" and toast to Robert Burns, a keynote of the evening, was read by another poet, Edgartown poet laureate Steve Ewing.

Much singing and good cheer and an auction completed an evening that raised money for the Scottish Society's high school scholarship fund.