This weekend is Burns Weekend, Scotland's annual celebration of their beloved national poet Robert Burns. He is 250 today! Let me tell you...the Scots know how to party, so when a national celebration comes around, things get crazy. I wasn't seeing any kilts my first week, which was obviously quite disappointing, but that has all changed. Everywhere I turn, I see harry legs. So much plaid. Its like a hipster's dream. There are so many events in honor of the poet... dances, plays, concerts, drink-deals, special menus, and Céilidhs....
So before there were clubs and discos, there were Céilidhs, a traditional Gaelic dance originating in Scotland, and thus, the plethora of Kilts this weekend. Céilidhs originally facilitated courting and prospects for marriage for young people. Men had to dance, sing, and recite poetry and then would win the heart of a Celtic girl... so romantic. I'm not sure it serves the same purpose today, but I have seen some terribly short kilts, so you never know.
I think Haggis might be unavoidable after tonight. I shall try it and report.
Amanda
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