Graemsay Burns Supper and Dance

Last night was Burns Night but we had our Supper and Dance on Friday night as it suited folk better. We don't hold one every year, but folk thought it would be a nice idea to have it again this year.  Mac and Carrie were up from England and Mac is very keen on Burns Suppers so he is the Master of Ceremonies.  Having an Englishman in a kilt as Master of Ceremonies of a Burns Night might seem unconventional, but this IS Graemsay. Ha!

The evening started with the welcome and the quaich was passed around. Usually this is in a silver two handled cup, but in the absence of that (Mac had forgotten to bring it), we used a two handled bowl instead.  The sentiments are the same - when the Clans meet the cup of friendship and loyalty is passed to all. In this case full of whisky, of course.

Then it was time for Becky to say the Selkirk Grace

The soup was served, a delicious Scotch Broth, made my Mac. And then it was time for the piping in of the Haggis, which was paraded around the room before being placed before the Master of Ceremonies (Mac).

There is the Address to the Haggis and the Toast to the Haggis and the poor thing is stabbed and devoured along with clapshot (neeps and tatties) and mince for those that don't eat haggis!  The Haggis, or is it Haggi as there were several (!) were from the local butcher, Flett, in Stromness. Delicious - apparently.  Sandra had made a lovely job of the mince, and Cathy the delicious clapshot.

Oh and then my favourite part..... dessert! Again made by Sandra.  Orkney fudge cheesecake and crannachan.  Crannachan - the nectar of the gods!  My now favourite dessert! And finally something useful to do with oatmeal. Ha!  Contentious that - Scots LOVE oatmeal....my hens love oatmeal.... I, a welsh wuman, do not!

Soon it was time for the Toast to the Lassies proposed by John Budge from Walls on a neighbouring island.

And the Ladies Response to the Handsome Escorts proposed by Shirley, who had written a great poem in response.

And a toast to Graemsay folk by Mac, and a toast to Absent Friends by Sue.  Then it was time for the Odes!

The love poem "A Red Red Rose" read by a young lad to his love

The Silver Tassie, read by Daphne, and various odes to Scotch Whisky and finally "There'll never be peace 'till Jamie comes home" read by different folk

Cathy reading an ode

Joe reads a poem about Whisky!

A wee boy ponders the Odes....maybe!

And two young lasses had practised hard to read an ode together. And it wasn't an easy one either!

Then it was time to clear away the tables and for the dancing to begin, interspersed with stories and song.

Leslye and Ian the Piper doing their best to show people the Palais Glide!

First a discussion

Then a demo (young Katie helping out John by playing along on the bodhran!)

and everyone joined in

And there were plenty of other dances too

Music was provided by John and Leslye Budge. Always welcome and good friends of mine and Graemsay

Mac has been learning the bodhran too

There were discussions with Carrie the honorary photographer

And of course, a group photo!!  This is almost the entire population of the island.  There were three folk not here, and in their place some visitors. You can see we are a small island!

As ever on Graemsay the partying went on into the wee small hours apparently.  I was back home before midnight - lightweight I know!  But it was a really good evening and I think folk thoroughly enjoyed themselves which is what matters.