Burns day

Though does Burns really beat the sublime words and poetry of William McGonnagle?

no chance auld Willie was brilliant.

Tonight we're going to a Robbie Burns night dinner and dance. I'm not having haggis however!

Our son's family went to the annual event near San Francisco last weekend. They are part of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers group (SFSF). The oldest granddaughter was the bearer of the haggis one year.

Here's one to you, Unclegus

Happy Burns Day, Uncle Gus!! Wish I were there to celebrate

I was listening to Rick's radio show yesterday, which included a nice discussion of Burns Day/Night. Later, I sent some links to my son, who is planning a semester at the University of Edinburgh in 2019. I told him he needs to educate himself on Burns, as he'll be in Scotland to celebrate next January.

We tried making a vegetarian haggis for Burns Day the year after we visited Scotland. (Let's just say my creation was about as successful as the real one we tried while we were there.)

But we had poetry and music, so overall I'd say it was a success.

Happy Burns Day!

Stoutfella , what is your son going to be studying? I actually work for Edinburgh University Medical School.
Great University to study in and a brilliant city to live in, expensive but brilliant.

Hi, Unclegus!

I thought I remembered that you worked at the university. Our son is a sophomore in the School of Business at Iowa State University, studying information systems management. He's planning to study in Edinburgh for spring semester of his junior year, so about January-May 2019. He's been talking about this for a while, but in a sudden burst of enthusiasm this past week has been meeting advisers, applying for the study abroad program and considering what classes to take. Any tips and suggestions on making his way around the university, Edinburgh and worthwhile "field trips" elsewhere in the U.K. would be welcome.

I'm hoping to ask some questions during Rick's recording session next week for a radio program on Scotland.

And, naturally, as concerned parents, we'll feel it our duty to visit Scotland ourselves. ;-)

Cheers!

Stoutfella, keep in touch and I will help out nearer the time.maybe even arrange a meet up if you get over,
https://www.ed.ac.uk/visit/tours
have a look at this link and you can have a look at tours of the university .click on the self guide tour for lots of info.
Your son will be studying right in the heart of the city as far as I can see, Sciences and medicine are on campuses to the south of the city but everything else is in or near the centre.

Thanks so much for the link, Unclegus. Looks very helpful. I'll definitely keep in touch, especially later in the year as plans firm up. I'd be more than happy to meet up with you if the stars align (I know you like to travel as much as possible with your time off from the University). I suspect we would be over there near the end of our son's semester. We're considering the RS Best of Scotland tour, which begins and ends in Edinburgh, after which we'd spend some time with our son and then all fly home together.

I might PM you at some point, and possibly try to put you and our son in touch, if that would be agreeable.

Thanks again for your kind and helpful comments!

yes please keep in touch and if we can arrange a meet up we will do so. I actually work on the research side of the medical school and can plan my holidays around the team I work with, was away in Prague over the new year period and having some time off next month as some friends from Kansas City are coming over to Edinburgh to help celebrate my younger brother's 60th birthday................... yeah I am getting on a bit.