by Lynn Clark

Created on: April 02, 2008   Last Updated: February 01, 2012

Haggis derives from the highlands of Scotland where cattle drovers would carry their food in the encasement of a sheep's intestines on their long journey to Edinburgh. It was also the staple diet for the poor, who would enjoy the nutritional, cheap meal using offal and meat from pigs or sheep. Combining the meats with oatmeal, spices and onion then stuffing them into the casement, ensured little waste.

So what is the best way to eat haggis? Traditionally, the haggis is boiled for 3-4 hours and served with mashed turnip and potatoes, commonly referred to as "neeps and tatties". A customary dram of whisky accompanies the dish. Vegetarians can also enjoy haggis by replacing the meat with lentils, eggs, breadcrumbs, flour and vegetable stock and using a commercial casing instead of the traditional sheep's stomach. A popular main course is "Chicken Balmoral" where a chicken breast is stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon then roasted in the oven. Haggis can be sliced, fried and added to the Scottish Breakfast of bacon, eggs, black pudding and potato scones. A popular favorite in Scottish fish and chip bars is deep fried haggis, commonly known as a "Haggis Supper".

So why is haggis so famous? The world famous "Burns Night" was introduced to commemorate the birth of the Scottish poet Robert Burns who was born on 25 January 1759 in Ayrshire.

On his birthday, people all over the world commemorate his work especially his poem "An Ode To The Haggis". During the day people would participate in games such as "haggis hurling" and "haggis hunting". The latter being a representation of the folklore tales of the hairy, four-legged beast which would roam the highlands. The haggis was thought to have had legs that were two different lengths to aid it walking around the high peaks of the mountainous summits. "Haggis hurling" is a contest to see who can throw their haggis the furthest. The longest throw, which measured 180 feet and 10 inches, was achieved near Loch Lomond in 1984. It still stands in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest haggis throw to date.

Robert Burns died at the early age of 37 on 21 July 1796 of a rheumatic heart condition

At a traditional "Burns Supper", diners will proudly don their Scottish attire of kilts and tartan. Before their meal, they stand and recite the Burn's poem - "Selkirk Grace";
"Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
We hae meat an' we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit"

Starters usually consist of traditional

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