We will be in Edinburgh Sept 10-16. Looking for an opportunity to try haggis without the commitment. :-) Are there any Burns Suppers or something similar that we can attend? I don't really care if it's a bit touristy or cheesy, but I'd rather it was more authentic.
Thanks
Authentic is January, and really January alone. I've never heard of them, not that I've been looking mind, at any other time of the year. Asking for a haggis supper will lead you to the fish and chip shop and some unfortunate concoction in batter, not that that is that bad. Haggis might be on the menu in some restaurants but remember its origin is as a 'surviving the winter, eat what ever we can' peasant dish, the real time to eat it is winter.
Even in the US these dinners are always in January. You probably could find one here if you don't plan to be in Scotland in January. Although if you do find yourself in Scotland in January, you should look into attending the Celtic Connections music festival in Glasgow. Someday, I will get to it!
If it is just the haggis you're wanting to try and if you have an apartment instead of an hotel; for some reason best known to themselves the supermarkets (at least where I live in England) seem to have the stuff year round in the sausage area. I've always thought it is because nobody wanted it in January and they keep hoping somebody will take the rubbish of them before it goes off (how could you tell?).
I even saw it in Costco last week.
These aren't the wild haggis, y'ken? They are all wrapped up in plastic, but cook and eat it you can. Don't forget the tatties and neeps.
It's around all year. Probably most often in the tourist-oriented pubs, but I've seen it in some out in the sticks where I was the only one that didn't live within five miles of the place.
Sometimes it's pretty good, sometimes it sucks. I suspect it varies by area and even by butcher, just like pudding. As the meat in spaghetti and meatballs, it comes up lacking........or almost just comes back up.
We're about to embark on our first visit to Scotland and I just want a wee taste of haggis at first. This lunch/snack restaurant in Edinburgh, called Oink, was recommended to me by two recent visitors (http://www.oinkhogroast.co.uk/) Their offerings sound delicious, and a way to try haggis without any commitment!
If you decide you like and do stay in an apartment, you should ask around for the best butcher. Google Haggis Scotland Best and see what wonders appear. The Scottish Federation of Meat Traders has a list of Champions. The Scotsman has an article. TripAdvisor Forum has a brief discussion. Then there's the link to the one that many say is the best, Macsween. Even the Guardian chimes in!
Burn's Night is always January 25, his birthday. The pub Worlds End, High Street, Edinburgh has good haggis (vegetarian haggis option, too). Burns Night is more than just haggis. It is a formal dinner with prescribed ceremony.
