Kilt Night + Burns Night

**meinfs** · 16th February 09, 05:00 PM

Hello.

Three Xmarkers met at the Royal Mile Pub for a DC Kilt Night and a Robert Burns Supper (perhaps one of the last ones of the year).

It was a successful and fun evening.

Here are some pictures.

Before dinner Scotch Whisky apperitivs. RMP had a large selection of whiskies.

I had a Talisker 10, svc40bt had a Caol Ila, (and I forget what Mael had)

The procession.

While waiting for dinner:
Conversing over Scotch Eggs (yumm!) Mael Coluim and svc40bt.

Steve, a Scottish lad who organized the event. He is a cyclist and many of his cyclist friends were in the audience.

Intros, Odes and Addresses

Ian, the owner

Steve giving the Immortal Memory address...
He did an excellent job. He mentioned that he is from Aberdeen.

Toast to the Lassies and the Response from the Lassies.

Sonya wrote an excellent poem (that rhymes and all).
Given the job just the night before.

**McMurdo** · 16th February 09, 05:02 PM

Great photos
It looks like it was a fun night.

**meinfs** · 16th February 09, 05:09 PM

She's 94 and proud to be a Sutherland:

A most atypical Burns Suppers (according to Mael).

The poem Tam O'Shanter was read by the members of the audience. Whichever table gave the best reading would win a round of single-malt whisky.

This lassie was a hoot! There were some technical issues with the mic and she tested the mic with "Testees!" "Testees!"

(Needless to say, their rowdy table won!

This guy could sing the Burns Songs too!

**Panache** · 16th February 09, 05:16 PM

It looks like you three had a grand evening!

Cheers

Jamie

**meinfs** · 16th February 09, 05:30 PM

Xmarker Mael Coluim in a superb XMTS tartan kilt, following up on the reading of the Tom O'Shanter poem.

Mael, you may not be aware of it but you honored me with your remarks and your toast to those "who love to wear the kilt" even if they have little or no Scottish blood (me). I thank you. (I have it on video too

And you can tell how rowdy and fun the crowd was that night!)

The piper (did a great job). Notice the crest badge on his hat (a glengary, sp?) - it's the Maryland Crab!! (Nice touch!)

Towards the end of the evening (as much whisky had already been imbibed)

We sang the Auld Lang Syne (and the three singers who had possession of the poor mic inflicted some pain on us poor listeners with an "unharmonic" singing perhaps whisky-induced!

Well the singing was interesting --- one of the three had a monotonous singing pitch - it almost sounds like droning (sorry I don't know the bagpipe terminlogy)

Outside the Pub, end of the event...

Mael in an XMTS tartan kilt and svc40bt in McLeod of Harris Modern (please correct me if in error) and his cool tartan hose!

Mr. Guthrie and friend, lovely people, with Xmarkers. She remarked how nice our kilts were.

Interestingly, of the 60 or so people, only about 8 were kilted --- the owner, the piper, the organizer, two other patrons and us 3 Xmarkers.

Me, in a casual kilt attire. This is my double-box pleat wool kilt:

**meinfs** · 16th February 09, 05:40 PM

Thank you McMurdo and Panache. Yes, we did have a wonderful evening. I hope that Mael and Svc40bt add their recollections of the evening and moments that they thought most fun.

For me, when it rained it poured: for my first time, I experienced 3 Robert Burns events in a 4 weeks!

**Mael Coluim** · 16th February 09, 06:02 PM

It was a great evening! They were a fun group, even though scarce on the kilt! I was really pleased we could attend and be seated for the dinner.

Before, our wait list was confirmed for a seating, I sat at the bar waitng for you other guys and got in to a conversaton with an 'older couple' there, too. The fellow said he had been a regular for over twenty years! He had lost his wife a year, ago and the lass with him was in his support group. She had been a regular of eight years! It was interesting learning of their insights.

The son, Ian Morrison had taken over from his parents. Ian growing up at the Pub, had gone to culinary school and now was applying his trade at the Pub. I think his new approach to the Burns Dinner showed. The Haggis is one of the spiciest, I've ever had. The smoked salmon on a bed of kale was to die for. The wait staff were very obliging.

It was great meeting and gettng to know John, SVCT. Of course, Mein you are almost my brother now as we have lifted quite a few these last few weeks, celebrating the Bard's 250th!

A great time, indeed!

**svc40bt** · 16th February 09, 07:08 PM

I also had a great time. It was my first Burns Night, apparently not the standard event, but a good time. I will definately be attending Burns Nights in the future. It was good to meet Mael and Mein. Hope to see you both at future DC area kilt nights and other events.

**svc40bt** · 16th February 09, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by meinfs

Before dinner Scotch Whisky apperitivs. RMP had a large selection of whiskies.

I had a Talisker 10, svc40bt had a Caol Ila, (and I forget what Mael had)

If I recall correctly Mael had an Ardbeg. I hadn't had Caol Ila before, it was quite good. Will have to add it to my Islay collection.

**meinfs** · 16th February 09, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by svc40bt

If I recall correctly Mael had an Ardbeg. I hadn't had Caol Ila before, it was quite good. Will have to add it to my Islay collection.

Yes, I think you're correct - Ardbeg.

Oh, the 5-course dinner was quite good too.

-Appetizers: Potted Salmon, Potato pancakes with salmon caviar, mini shepherd's pie.
-Soup: Cock-A-Leekie soup
-Fish: Hot Smoked Salmon with Whisky Beurre Blanc on Kale greens
-Entree: Haggis with Neeps and Mash
or Leg of Lamb with Colcannon
-Dessert: Frozen Whisky Cream with Earl Grey Syrup (with a piece of plum)