Local society promotes Scottish history, traditions, arts

A "cheers" to the lassies, a bagpipe rendition and a birthday cake big enough to feed an army -- all contributed to the success of the annual Burns Night Supper. The dinner took place Saturday evening inside the Indiana Memorial Union's Tudor Room. The Scottish Society of Greater Bloomington hosted the celebration with a cuisine and itinerary to make the would-be 244-year-old Robert Burns do a jig in his grave. \nBorn Alloway, Ayrshire in Scotland in 1759, Robert Burns was a brilliant child and received an informal education from his father. He was a hard worker but held a deep admiration and desire for women and alcohol. He began to write poetry and songs about his two loves. Burns had many children by a number of wives. He was a drunk and a womanizer but was loved for his innovative and moving writing style.\n "He wasn't someone you would typically look at as being a hero," said Robert Pate, the group's founder and president. "But he was a wonderful writer, a genius. He wrote about the common man and everyday life which had never been done before. People could relate to his work."\nAfter his death in 1796, 10,000 people came to watch and pay their respects. This celebration of his life has been incorporated into the Burns Night Supper -- celebrated on his birthday every year -- and is celebrated by proud Scots around the globe.\nWith over 150 tickets sold, the room was packed with lovers of Scotland of all ages to commemorate the birthday of the acclaimed composer and writer.\n"The Burns Supper has many of the same qualities as a Madrigal dinner (a medieval dinner), but much better, because we are not only entertaining with pipes and drums plus food and drink, we are also trying to educate," Pate said. \nThis is the second year the society has celebrated the event, last year hosting 73 people at The Irish Lion. The group has expanded and became more involved with the Bloomington community, sponsoring such festivities as the "Tartan Day" parade, which celebrates the Scottish influence on America, remembering the Declaration of Arbroath, a Scottish version of the Declaration of Independence, and other events throughout the year. \nPate, 31, has held a deep interest and admiration for Scottish culture since childhood. \n"The Scottish people are so loyal and accepting of others," he said. \nBefore starting the society, Pate was a member of the Scottish Society of Indianapolis. He was pleasantly surprised to find that the demand for Scottish activity was here in his own town. He decided to bring kilts and haggis -- a traditional Scottish food resembling a stewed meatloaf -- to Bloomington residents. \n"It happened by word of mouth," Pate said. "I asked people whom I knew whether they were interested in attending the first Burns Supper, and then those people asked their friends and so on and so forth." \nSoon the idea that belonged to an eager descendant of Scots spread throughout, and members were recruited.\nThe group's first meeting was held May 13, 2002. The meetings continue to be held on the third Monday of every month at the First Presbyterian Church.\nAttendees learn about the Scottish way of life -- from traditional games to native dress. In February, Elizabeth Cochran, an IU student and society member, will give a talk on the art of speaking Gaelic, the language of old-time Scotland.\nThe Supper included traditional bagpipe performances from the Columbus Pipe and Wind Orchestra with Scottish Society member Ian Arthur, a four-course meal, poetry readings, musical performances of Burns' works and dozens of cheers, toasts and recognitions. The crowd was lively and eager, clad in their plaids, and they raised their cups to the sky as a proud 'Cheers!' exploded from their mouths.\nSome of the cuisine included cock-a-leekie soup, similar to chicken noodle, haggis, neeps, turnips, roast beef, stoved tatties, mixed vegetables and midlothian oatcakes, a traditional Scottish dinner roll. \nObservers and admirers from around the state came to partake in this feast and hear about the life and accomplishments of "Robbie" Burns.\nThe Scottish Society of Greater Bloomington was founded to provide a means for individuals of Scottish ancestry or interest to experience activities that celebrate Scottish culture. \n"You don't have to be Scottish to be in the club," Pate said. "All you have to have is a curiosity for the Scottish way of life and a desire to learn"