On Sunday 24th January the congregation marked the birthday of Scotland’s national poet (25thJanuary 1759) by holding a haggis lunch after the service.

The minister led worship on the theme of Robert Burns life and work,
and Morag Jones sang ‘My love is like a red, red rose’.

The feast began prior to lunch with canapés of smoked salmon and cream cheese and a wee dram for a few! Afterwards some 18 of us sat down for a lunch of haggis (with veggie haggis as an alternative option) ‘tatties and neaps’ served in the traditional manner by Morag, followed by a delicious pudding of ’Cranach’ a traditional delicacy accompanied by shortbread biscuits.

Although the Chapel’s Scottish connections are limited to the families of Morag and Charles McIntosh and the minister’s parentage, this was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a poet whose greatsouled egalitarianism promoted humanity’s dignity and worth, and who advocated a free-thinking approach to life and salvation over the cant and dogma of creeds.