Pan Haggis
Interest in Robert Burns is not restricted, thank goodness, to the
traditional celebrations which surround the anniversary of his birth each
25 January. The many visitors throughout the year to the Electric Scotland
splendid Burns section and to the SI website
Burns Supper is evidence of our National Bard's continuing appeal. In
the run-up to the anniversary of his death ( 21 July 1796 ) it is
interesting to note that a handwritten copy of his song 'Bonnie Jean' has
just fetched, on 11 July 2002, £13,145 at a Sotheby's sale in London,
England. This was double the amount that the manuscript was expected to
reach. The manuscript is dedicated to Miss Jean McMurdo, eldest daughter
of John McMurdo of Drumlanrig, who in 1799 married John Innes Crawford of
Bellfield. Burns held McMurdo and his family in high regard and was a
welcome visitor to their home.
On 2 July 1793 Robert Burns wrote to George Thomson, song-publisher, of
his song 'Bonnie Jean' - "I have just finished the following ballad, and
as I do think it is in my best style, I send it to you. The heroine is
Miss McMurdo, daughter of Mr Macmurdo of Drumlanrig, one of your
subscribers."
You can well imagine the joy with which Jean McMurdo received the copy of
'Bonnie Jean' dedicated to her by Scotland's National bard -
There was a lass and she was fair,
At kirk and market to be seen;
When a' the fairest maids were met,
The fairest maid was bonie Jean;
And ay she wrought her mammie's wark
And ay she sang sae merrilie;
The blythest bird upon the bush,
Had ne'er a lighter heart than she.
- his words would have charmed any young damsel.
But although Scots, at home and abroad, do much to celebrate Robert Burns
every January, by comparison his death goes largely uncommemorated. There
is an opening here for the Scottish Tourist Board, or whatever their
new-fangled name is, to promote July events which would attract Scots and
overseas visitors to Dumfries to pay tribute to Robert Burns. Certainly
Dumfries is always worth visiting and no visit is complete without seeing
Burns' House and the Burns Mausoleum within St Michael's Parish Church
Kirkyard.
On 21 July we can all note the anniversary of the poet's death and raise a
glass to his memory and enjoy a meal in his honour. As an alternative to
the normal commercial Haggis, this week's recipe offers an equally tasty
alternative in the form of Pan Haggis. Tak aff yir dram.
Pan Haggis
Ingredients : 8 oz ( 250 g ) liver; 4 oz ( 125 g ) chopped suet; 1 large
par-boiled onion; a teacup oatmeal; 1 cup water; seasoning
Boil liver and onion in a little water for 40 minutes. Pour the liquid
into a basin. When liver is cold, mince it and mix with the chopped onion.
Brown the oatmeal carefully in a pan, mix with the liver, onion, suet and
seasoning and moisten with some of the liver liquor. Stew slowly for about
1 1/2 hours, or steam in a greased basin for 2 hours.
