It was Burns’ night last night! To celebrate Robert Burns’ 265th birthday. This is what we ate. It’s the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, but we had whisky gravy too. Haggis has some unappetising ingredients, and I’m afraid some people took the easy option and chose the vegetarian haggis. But meat haggis tastes good if you don’t think about what’s in it.
If you’re interested in Scotland, take at look at our book for early secondary school children who are learning English: “Read English with Ben – 2”. Ben and his parents go on holiday to Scotland. It includes haggis, a Highland Games, and a lot more about Scotland, with colour photos. There are lots of language activities too.
And here’s something from Robert Burns himself – Scotland’s greatest poet. It’s in Scots, but don’t worry, you can come to Scotland to practise your English, because of course everyone speaks English now. However, Scots is still one of Scotland’s official languages.
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A Red, Red Rose
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O my Luve’s like a red, red rose,
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly play’d in tune.
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As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
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Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun
O I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
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And fare thee weel, my only Luve!
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.
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