Robert Burns celebrations
The Burns Bagpiper. To celebrate our Nations Bard, Rabbie Burns, Roddy was asked to do a number of Burns Nights.
The start of the 12 day tour started with an Oil and gas giant who put on a fantastic traditional burns supper at the AECC in Aberdeen. With immortal memory, addres to the haggis, and music from Gill Bowman, along with a spirited performance from the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band.
The Reel Time Ceilidh Band were the Burns Night band for the ceilidh dancing. As soon as the master of ceremonies opened the floor for the ceilidh dancing, the guests (from Aberdeen to Argentina , Cardenden to Colombia,) were straight up for the party. With a packed dance floor for three hours, it was a great ceilidh night in Aberdeen.
Burns event at Dynamic Earth
Roddy was asked to address the haggis at the Lloyds Banking conference Burns Supper on Wednesday. 100 guests enjoyed an informal Burns evening at the Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Roddy was accompanied by a couple of pipers from a local pipe band. Who piped in the haggis before he addressed it.
After the conference Scottish dinner, the Scraggly Cats came on to take the guests though their ceilidh dancing paces. This was well received and guests were enthusiastic for ceilidh dancing fun. Later in the evening the band played some pop and rock classics to finish the night. A great night by all!!
Burns night Madrid. With the Ambassador, the Justice and the Corrs.
Slightly sleep deprived, Roddy left for Madrid the next morning, for a couple of international Burns suppers. The first, hosted by Simon Manley CMG, the British Ambassador to Spain, at his residence in Madrid. The third time Roddy has been invited back to entertain His Excellence and his VIP invited guests.
This year, as well as piping in the guests, performing the Selkirk grace and haggis address he was asked to perform the Immortal Memory. Indeed an honour to be bestowed on anyone. This went well, and was a good addition to the selection of Burns turns that Roddy does. Other Burns speeches were delivered by a Judge from the European Court of Justice and an elegant lady from Madrid, who presented the Reply. After dinner, Roddy worked alongside a traditional ceilidh band from Madrid. Who played some great Scottish tunes, as Roddy ceilidh called some fairly easy ceilidh dances!
From Madrid to Manila; international Burns turns
The next morning Roddy was on the long haul. All the way to Manila, in the Philippines. To perform for a St. Andrews Society that has been in place since the 1800s. The event, hosted in one of the cities wonderful hotels, was a bit different from the rest. Roddy and another experienced Burns bagpiper from Canada, Sam Arnold, piped guests in for dinner. Roddy opened the evening with the Selkirk grace. A couple of Filipino singers regaled the audience with Scottish traditional songs, Red Red Rose, Caledonia, etc. They were well rehearsed musicians, proving how well Robert Burns work travels around the world. Roddy then performed the mighty Haggis Address in front of the British ambassador to the Philippines and other esteemed guests.
For the first time, Roddy joined up with the Hong Kong ceilidh band, a group of expats now living in Hong Kong. They were flown in specially for the event (after a hard night in Hong Kong the previous evening where they performed at another Burns Night) to give a slightly different twist with their fantastic ceilidh sound.
Rather than flying straight home from the Philippines, Roddy went on to visit a little more of the islands. Playing on Ilao Ilao, then a wonderful few tunes on a mango farm before home.
This burns night was an excellent homage to the Bard.
Burns bagpiper
To book a bagpiper for your Burns night, Scottish show or to address the haggis, please see our contact page.
