Haggis, 'neeps and tatties for Burns night

LEFT to right, Chronicle reporter Gill Potts, Bill Richardson, Robbie MacDonald, David Asquith, Geoffrey Nelson

CHRONICLE readers tucked into haggis and sampled a few Scotch whiskies at a Robert Burns supper.

As part of the newspaper's Come Dine With Us restaurant offers, a special Burns' Night dinner was held at The Grill at Number 20 in Oldham town centre.

Robbie MacDonald, the newspaper's business editor, read out some Burns poems during the meal.

The menu included starters of Scotch broth, venison pate or smoked Scottish salmon. The mains included haggis, 'neeps and tatties or smoked haddock risotto, while desserts including cranachan, a traditional Scottish trifle with fresh cream, raspberries, crunchy toasted oats and honey.

Readers also sample some single-malt Scotch whiskies from different regions chosen by Chronicle photographer Darren Robinson, who is a whisky enthusiast.

Robert Burns is regarded as Scotland's national poet and is celebrated worldwide. His birthday on January 25 is celebrated as Burns' Night, with suppers, poems, songs and stories - and whisky.

Burns was born in 1759, in the village of Alloway, Ayrshire, and grew up in humble, farming surroundings.

He began writing as a teenager and later became famous for writing poetry and folk songs in the lowland Scottish dialect.

Known as the Ploughman Poet, he lived a colourful and risky life, which included having affairs, and children, with numerous women.

Last night's event included his poem Address to the Haggis.

• Contact our promotions team to find out more about our Come Dine with Us events.