Nearly 100 people enjoyed a traditional Burn Supper in the James Milne Institute on Saturday 25 January to celebrate the life and poetry of Rabbie Burns.
Organised by Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO), the interior of the building was regaled in tartan for the occasion, including tartan bunting specially made by Johnston’s of Elgin.
Addressing the haggis
The evening began with an entertaining welcome from MIRO chairman, John Low.
Then, Ben Mortimer was given a standing ovation as he piped in the haggis and John Porter gave a rousing address to the haggis before a three-course dinner was served by chef Donnie Macleod and his team.
The Immortal Memory was delivered by Findhorn loon and local Burns expert, Frank Allan, who shared his extensive knowledge and passion for Burns and his poetry.
Findhorn Heritage Chairman, Tim Negus, made a highly entertaining Toast to the Lassies with Vice Captain of Findhorn Coastal Rowers, Helen Innes, performing an equally entertaining Reply to the Laddies.
The lights were dimmed as another Findhorn loon, Campbell Ross, dressed for the occasion in nightshirt and cap, delivered Holy Wille’s prayer, a poem that was written about Willie Fisher, who was an elder in the Parish church of Mauchline, in Ayrshire. Fisher was a hypocrite and himself a sinner who spied on people and reported them to the minister if he thought they were doing wrong.
Highly entertaining
The evening was rounded off with a raffle and another highly entertaining input from chairman, John Low, that had the hall ringing with the sound of laughter.
MIRO Chairman, John Low, commented on the popularity of the occasion in 2019 and said “The evening was a great success and our supporters were so keen to attend this year that the tickets for our 2020 Burns supper sold out within three days! I am delighted to report that our second MIRO Burns supper was equally successful. In fact, feedback from guests has been so positive that we have already booked the hall for 23 January 2021!”
“I would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making the MIRO 2020 Burns supper so memorable – guests, speakers, caterers and MIRO volunteers. Special thanks also to Johnston’s of Elgin, Maclean’s Highland Bakery, The Findhorn Bakehouse and several anonymous local supporters of MIRO for their generous donations of raffle prizes.”
MIRO was called out 14 times in 2019, including three times in one day in July! The first callout of 2020 was on 4 January. Rescues have included assisting sailors, swimmers, kayakers and animals in difficulty.
