The Bitterroot Celtic Society is holding a traditional Robert Burns Night Dinner at the Daly Mansion on Jan. 27, purchase tickets by Jan. 22.
Members of the Bitterroot Celtic Society launched the Robert Burns Dinner locally four years ago with a casual potluck and members only. But according to society secretary Laura Reichart, it was so fun they took the next year off to plan for perfection.
“Last year we had it at The Catered Table in Stevensville and did the formal stick-with-the-script exactly how it is supposed to be,” Reichart said. “It was such a success that this year we’ve moved it to the Daly Mansion.”
On or near Jan. 25 every year, Scotland and Scots around the world celebrate the life of their national poet Robert Burns, who is credited as a pioneer of the Romantic era.
Ken Schultz, Bitterroot Celtic Society member and owner of Hidden Legend Winery, said the dinner is a true celebration and honoring of Burns.
“Fellow Scots everywhere around the world are celebrating the Bard’s birthday and we are doing our part in Montana to keep the chain unbroken,” Schultz said.
Burns was born Jan. 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland, to William and Agnes Brown Burnes.
Like his father, he grew up to be a tenant farmer but wrote poetry and song lyrics all his life. Later in life he became a tax collector in Dumfries, Scotland, where he died in 1796 at age 37.
The first memorial supper was held on the fifth anniversary of his death in 1801 by his friends. The first Burns Club was founded later that same year and still exists. Burns Clubs have sprung up around the globe as literary and cultural societies that commemorate Burns’ writing and spirit.
Burns’ poetry records aspects of farm life, regional experience, traditional culture, class culture and distinctions, and religious practice and beliefs. His most famous works include “Auld Lang Syne,” “Tam O'Shanter,” “Address to a Haggis,” and “A Red, Red Rose.” In 2009, the Scottish TV channel ran a poll to name “The Greatest Scot” and the Scottish people selected Burns over William “Braveheart” Wallace by a narrow margin.
More information about the life and works of Burns - also known as “Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire” - will be provided at the traditional dinner.
The evening at the Daly Mansion begins with a no-host bar by Hidden Legend Winery (mead and the Skalkaho line of wine) at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of the mansion. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m.
Reichart said the “Parade of the Haggis” is a highlight of the evening. The traditional Scottish meat dish is made of sheep heart, liver, and lungs, onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices encased in a sheep stomach.
“A bagpiper leads in a chef carrying haggis on a tray, and he is followed by someone carrying a book of poems by Robert Burns, and then someone holding a sword,” Reichart said. “It is followed by a reading of a poem written by Burns about the haggis.”
Toasts follow the parade and complimentary shots of scotch are handed out to everyone.
“At every dinner there are toasts to lassies and responses to that,” Reichert said. “Then is what they call the ‘Immortal Memory’ - an actual presentation about Robert Burns, his history and poetry and we always end with singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ because he wrote that (in 1788).”
The night of entertainment includes bagpipers, the Missoula Highland Dancers, and singing.
“It will be a heck of a night with a lot of things going on,” Reichert said.
Ticket sales to the dinner benefits two nonprofits - the Daly Mansion Preservation Trust and the Bitterroot Celtic Society, which will present the Ninth annual Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering Aug. 18-19, at the Daly Mansion.
Being Scottish is not a requirement to attend, nor is liking haggis.
Dinner will be catered by The Crave and when online to purchase a ticket to the dinner, select a beef, chicken, or vegetarian entrée. There will also be sides, dessert, and beverages.
“Chef Shannon of The Crave is highly regarded and fantastic to work with,” Reichart said. “If you want a bit of haggis we set it up front and you just help yourself. I was surprised that we ran out last year, so I ordered twice as much this year. I didn’t know so many people liked it.”
Door prizes and a raffle also add excitement to the evening.
Dress for the evening is semi-formal and guests are encouraged to wear their highland kilts and tartans.
“It is not necessary; we don’t want people to feel they have to be formal. It could be jeans - this is the Bitterroot,” Reichart said.
Tickets to the Roberts Dinner cost $45 per person. Buy tickets and select an entrée online at BCGG.org by Jan. 22.