WESTERN MANITOULIN—Two celebrations recognizing Robbie Burns Day (the Scottish poet who was born in 1759) took place on Western Manitoulin this past weekend. Both the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home in Gore Bay and St. Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water held special events to commemorate Robbie Burns Day (January 25).
Many of those who attended the church services at St. Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water wore traditional Scottish clothing items and tams to commemorate the celebration.
“Welcome, Onni, Ceud mile failte—which is welcome in Scottish language,” said Reverend Janice Frame, as she welcomed all in attendance at the special service held this past Sunday.
Rev. Frame pointed out when you look at the names of the headstones on the local church they hold names like Johnson, McDonald, Duncanson, Purvis, Bailey, Campbell and many more Scottish names. “There is a heritage rooted in the highlands and lowlands of Scotland present here in our community,” said Rev. Frame. “We are presenting, as part of our service today poetry and music of Scotland to commemorate the birthday of Scottish poet Robby Burns (1759-1796) who would have been 257-years-old tomorrow (January 25). The choir today will be presenting three Scottish songs.
Rev. Frame told the story of the highland clearances, with many people having crossed the ocean to points such as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, upper Canada and Quebec. “Now 15 percent of Canadians claim Scottish descendance.”
Several songs and poems written by Robert Burns were part of the service, and the Scottish flag adorned one window of the church.
On Saturday, the Manitoulin Lodge held a Robbie Burns Day celebration. “I would like to welcome everyone here today to our Robbie Burns Day celebrations. We have a CD recording of a Scottish pipe playing the bagpipes,” said Gloria Hall, activities coordinator at Manitoulin Lodge.
Ms. Hall and volunteers at the Lodge, along with Peter Gordon and Carolyn Lane Rock (the latter holding up a dish of a form of haggis she had prepared), were joined by residents of the nursing home as they formed a parade and walked through the Lodge hallways to the residents lounge at the front of the building.
At the arrival of everyone in the main room, Peter Gordon read in Scottish dialect, “The Address to the Haggis.” The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish memorialized as the national dish of Scotland by Robert Burns poem in 1787.
“We have a fun form of games that would be held as part of the Highland Games in Scotland that all the residents can take part in” said Ms. Hall. This included a caber toss, hammer throw and passing the ball game.
After the residents took part in the games, everyone joined in singing Auld Lang Syne.
The Scottish flag adorned the wall of the room, while goodies like the haggis (more like Scottish meatloaf for this occasion) and cupcakes with Scottish flags on them, cookies and other treats were served.
