Saturday, June 12, 2010

Ceilidh fun...




First there was the Presentation of Colors by the Scottish American Military Society, followed by our national anthem and other presentations, then came the "Piping in the Haggis." That is what is on the platter being reverently held by the above chef. Who knew it had to be piped in?

Arthur Hays did a magnificent toast to the piper chef and to said haggis, that toast being said in "broad Scots." I recognized about six words in his diologue!

Roasted Beet, Onion and Goat Cheese En Croute was the appetizer; salad being Fresh Greens with Almonds & Warm Bacon Mustard Vinaigrette...both good.

The buffet contained an abundance of:
Cock-a-Leekie Soup (I am not making that up!)
Chicken in the Heather
Rumbledethumps (mashed potates with cheese...good!)
Borecole (kale)
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Scotch Eggs (had a sausage coating on the hard-boiled eggs)
Scottish Oat Bread
Highland Braided Bread

And to finish this off:
Chocolate Gateau (delish!)
Raspberry Cranachan

And of course HAGGIS. After hearing the ingredients of sheep parts, oats and herbs stuffed into a cleaned sheep stomach(thanks for that clarification) then baked, Joan and I both skipped this dubious treat. There aren't enough herbs in the world to disquise the image of sheep hearts, brains, hoofs, liver and whatevers being boiled and baked that will entice me to eat that concoction! No way...

Co-chair and founder Jim McAfee (L) did another outstanding job on the festival. Robert Valentine (R), comedian, was the Master of Ceremonies and did a fine job of keeping us entertained, as did Tres De Solei, billed as a "Traditional Scottish Trio." Also entertaining us all the way from Scotland was Colin Grant-Adams on vocals and guitar.

It was a very fine evening. Joan and I both want to go back next year!

Today, I need to finish a birthday present for Miss A, and do a little packing. We have a wee adventure that begins tomorrow.

Oh, to hear Tres de Solei, check out this link!

Enjoy your Saturday, y'all!

7 comments:

ivana said...

Wow!!!

Very interesting!
I'll search the recipes of these strange dishes!!!
I'd like to be there, i like these ceremonies!!!

Ciao!
Buon sabato!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure I would chokish on the haggis. Ack. I like my menu much gooder! hahahaha!

Enjoy your adventure! Big hugs xo

Joy said...

Sounds wonderful, hope I can go with you next year, too! Colin Grant-Adams is a friend of Christy's and we usually go hear him sing and hang out with him and his wife afterwards. I could listen to him talk all day long! I have one of his cd's, I think I got it last year at the Festival. Hopefully we'll see him tomorrow, as well as Tres de Soliel.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

did you look under the skirts? i mean kilts? i know you did! ha ha ha

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxooxox

Haley D. said...

Probably a smart move not to try that haggis, but it sounds like a fun night! See you soon!

Sarge Charlie said...

I wish we had attended one of these while we were up there.

Janelee said...

You should have tried the Haggis. I had it at a wedding reception - complete with bagpipes, kilts, etc. - and it was amazingly good. Just goes to show that you can't judge a sheep by it's clothing!!!