Dumfries 2012 - Ferintosh Burns Weekend and the XMarks Quaich

[English Bloke]

Eventually we get to the Globe,


for a pint in the snug. Alan and Alex chatting.


And finally onto the Waverley where I linked up with my mate Doublewood Dave. He'd been delayed due to work.


Not sure of the significance of the wooden indian in the Pub but it is smashin' all the same.


The next day we took it easy. We popped into town briefly (no Pubs) then chilled in the garden with Taffy and Reilly the ringlan' e'ed dug.

[English Bloke]

Next we got together for the wander down to the Globe for the Burns Dinner.


Two mates...


New mates...


Hollywood smiles...


Listening to the Piper.


A very talented young chap. Highland Cathedral, by request and at the drop of a hat.


Good stuff.

[English Bloke]

Back in the snug at the Globe prior to taking our seats at the table. I never was very good at sipping pre-dinner sherry.


The X Marks Quaiche at the table.


Please be seated...


Cock o' leeky soup for a first course. Best quote of the night? Has this got chicken in it? Errr... yeah, chicken AND leeks.


Stefan sups from the Friendship Quaiche.


Len takes a taster.


Alistair delivers his poem.


The Haggis arrives.


Doublewood Dave did the address.


Haggis plated up like cottage pie with the tatties and neaps on top. Superbly done but enormous portions.

[English Bloke]

Jennifer takes a drink.


John gives the toast to the lassies.


Patrick takes his turn.


I recited "This is no my ain Lassie" and then introduced a selection of poems by Rab Wilson, a contemporary Scottish Poet who writes mainly in Scots.


Emma gave the reply from the Lassies.


Her audience was gripped, a very funny speech.


Third course was Cranachan, a traditional Scottish pudding made from whipped cream, oats, whisky and topped with rasberries. It was gorgeous and I could have eaten half a dozen of them.


Next came cheese and biscuits and coffee.




This was accompanied by homemade Mints, Shortbread and Scottish Tablet (sugar, condensed milk and butter)

[English Bloke]

Cagman gave a red red rose.


Robertson gave us the Immortal Memory.


Stefan took a swig before giving a rendition of traditional blues slide guitar on a magnificent resonator.




While Stefan played. The X Marks quaich was charged with Deanston 12yo and passed around those assembled.


Çağman


Patrick ... I appear to have missed Len's go. Apologies.


Jennifer.


Alistair.

[English Bloke]

John


Robertson


Emma


Dave


And me...


Slanthe Mhath!!






And if all that wasn't enough... We were joined by Jane, the manageress of the Globe and great authority on the life of Robert Burns. She took sips from both the Friendship Quaich


and the X Marks Quaich.

[English Bloke]

After the dinner was finished this gave those the oportunity to sit in Burns' chair. This is the actual chair he used when visiting the Globe Inn. History stands at our shoulder.


Tradition has it that if you sit in the chair you must recite Burns and if you don't you have to buy a drink for everyone in the Pub. Fortunately there was plenty to hand so there was no need to recite from memory.


It was also a chance to just relax after a crackin' feed.


The Quaich book was also passed among us for signing.


It's now becoming a tradition for our ladies to show off their shoes.

[John_Carrick]

[CMcG]

Great pics and commentary as usual English Bloke. That whisky collection of Pour1Malt's is enviable indeed.