There was haggis, bagpipes and all things Scottish to celebrate the birthday of renowned poet and lyricist Robert Burns at the Guelph Civic Museum on Sunday.
For both the Scots and the Scottish at heart, it was an ode to Burns, and this year, it was a celebration of song and dance.
“We’ve done something to celebrate Robbie Burns Day for the last few years. It’s just another part of one of Guelph’s many stories,” says Val Harrison, supervisor of visitor experiences at the Guelph Civic Museum.
Known as 'Scotland’s Favourite Son,' Burns was a famous poet and lyricist in the late eighteenth century.
Born on January 25th, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland, his mother introduced him to Scottish folk songs, legends and proverbs.
Burns then began writing his own poems and songs.
Some of his most famous songs include Auld Lang Syne, Ye Banks and Breaes of Bonnie Doon and My Love's Like a Red, Red Rose. His first book of poems was published in 1788.
Robbie Burns Day is a Scottish national holiday and celebrations take place worldwide every year on and around his birthday.
And every year, the Guelph Civic Museum does something a little different to mark Robbie Burns Day from scotch tasting to storytelling and this year, it highlighted traditional song and dance from Scotland.
“It’s our role here as storytellers and Robbie Burns is part of that,” Harrison said.
The event brought out a sold-out crowd of about 50 guests eager to sing along to one of their traditional favorite Scottish tunes and join in the popular Gay Gordons Dance.
Some Scottish foods and drinks were also served up with of course, a national favourite, haggis.
“They are all here to experience the songs, music, dance, food and stories, all part of Guelph’s Scottish heritage,” Harrison says.
Leading the song and dance were bagpiper Robin Aggus and his partner Marilyn Baxter who plays the accordion.
The couple perform under the name ‘Scotia’.
“I’ve been playing the bagpipes for over 35 years. Today we are going to play a mix from the Scottish Highlands and Cape Breton. There is such a strong connection between the two,” Aggus said.
Aggus owns his own collection of about a dozen different bagpipes including the Highland bagpipe, Scottish Highland bagpipe, Scottish Border pipe, Scottish small pipe and the pastoral pipe.
“I’ve brought five different bagpipes today, all from various parts of Scotland,” he said. “They all have their own unique sound. Robbie Burns wrote his poetry in both Scots and English. In the lowlands, they spoke Scots. So, the piping traditions too, are very different from the Highlands to the Lowlands,” Aggus said.
With his pastoral pipe in hand, Aggus played the popular ballad, Danny Boy.
And on his Scottish small pipe, all were eager to hear Burn’s classic, Now Westlin Winds.
“This is one of my favorites,” Aggus says. “It’s all about the love of nature and written by Burns mostly in English. It has a beautiful message.”
The audience also appreciated a spirited highland dance performance from 14-year-old Belvia Smith.
Smith has been highland dancing since she about 5-years-old.
“I do go to regular recitals, but I just do this for the love of it. It’s a different way of expressing myself. I just love it,” Smith said.
The event concluded with tables moved aside and the audience on the dance floor.
“For many of them it’s about sharing their heritage and for others, it’s about discovering it,” Harrison said.
“It’s a celebration and because of Robbie Burns, it brings everyone together.”
