Indeed, a Burns Supper without the Address to A Haggis would be unthinkable. Not only on Burns Night, but at any time of year, many a Scottish based banquet for friends, societies, business convention or conference often declares its very Scottishness by preceding the dinner with the ceremonial presentation of the haggis followed by the address to Scotland's national dish.

The poem begins by praising the appearance of the dish - its plump, honest face, its superiority to other meals made from offal, before it is ceremonially cut open to expose the glorious sight of its "gushing entrails" and releasing the wonderful aroma, and following with a highly visual description of the diners gorging themselves on it until they are completely sated. 

A stout defence against those who would view the haggis with contempt and favour continental stews follows. Those who dine on these foods become weaklings, useless in battle, but in contrast, the Scottish countryman, fed on haggis, is a powerful and fearsome warrior. 

It concludes by confirming to the Almighty that the people of Scotland don't want watery slops and assuring him that giving us haggis will earn our gratitude.

When foreign delegates return home from a Scotland- based conference, among their most enduring memories will be that of the haggis being piped in at the formal dinner followed by the verse in its praise. When they experience this they will know that they have experienced the spirit of Scotland - even if they hardly understood a word of it!. 

Dressed authentically in the attire of the late eighteenth century John will deliver an Address to A Haggis that will do justice to the delicious concoction.