Around the world this week, Scots gathered in their tartans, heard the squeal of a bagpipe and dug into a serving of haggis as they honored their most famous countryman, poet Robert Burns.

From Glasgow to Greenville, Shanghai to Chicago, Cairo to Tokyo, lads and lassies gathered to remember Burns, who was born 266 years ago on Jan. 25. They listen to a recitation of Burns’ “To a Haggis” honoring the “chieftain o’ the puddin’ race.”

Ritually, that sheep’s stomach full of deliciously edible offal is paraded before the gathering accompanied by the drone and flute of a bagpiper.

The recent Burns dinner in Jackson sold out, with 96 attending the Wyoming Highlanders’ event. As emcee Scott Fossel called out the names of the Scottish clans represented, members responded with their families’ motto.

“But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer, Gie her a Haggis!”

Robert Burns

Scots figured in the history of Wyoming. John Clay managed the famous  Swan Land and Cattle Company near Chugwater after the big die-up of 1886-87 and was president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. Even rootless John Colter, who went on a 500-mile winter walkabout around Yellowstone in 1807, had Scottish roots.

Scots’ animal husbandry know-how enabled immigrants to dominate the sheep industry in the state before Basque shepherds replaced them. As per tradition, the dinners include a single-malt toast and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” lyrics by Robert Burns.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. is the natural resources reporter for WyoFile. He is a veteran Wyoming reporter and editor with more than 35 years experience in Wyoming. Contact him at angus@wyofile.com or (307)...

Join the Conversation

5 Comments

WyoFile's goal is to provide readers with information and ideas that foster constructive conversations about the issues and opportunities our communities face. One small piece of how we do that is by offering a space below each story for readers to share perspectives, experiences and insights. For this to work, we need your help.

What we're looking for: 

  • Your real name — first and last. 
  • Direct responses to the article. Tell us how your experience relates to the story.
  • The truth. Share factual information that adds context to the reporting.
  • Thoughtful answers to questions raised by the reporting or other commenters.
  • Tips that could advance our reporting on the topic.
  • No more than three comments per story, including replies. 

What we block from our comments section, when we see it:

  • Pseudonyms. WyoFile stands behind everything we publish, and we expect commenters to do the same by using their real name.
  • Comments that are not directly relevant to the article. 
  • Demonstrably false claims, what-about-isms, references to debunked lines of rhetoric, professional political talking points or links to sites trafficking in misinformation.
  • Personal attacks, profanity, discriminatory language or threats.
  • Arguments with other commenters.

Other important things to know: 

  • Appearing in WyoFile’s comments section is a privilege, not a right or entitlement. 
  • We’re a small team and our first priority is reporting. Depending on what’s going on, comments may be moderated 24 to 48 hours from when they’re submitted — or even later. If you comment in the evening or on the weekend, please be patient. We’ll get to it when we’re back in the office.
  • We’re not interested in managing squeaky wheels, and even if we wanted to, we don't have time to address every single commenter’s grievance. 
  • Try as we might, we will make mistakes. We’ll fail to catch aliases, mistakenly allow folks to exceed the comment limit and occasionally miss false statements. If that’s going to upset you, it’s probably best to just stick with our journalism and avoid the comments section.
  • We don’t mediate disputes between commenters. If you have concerns about another commenter, please don’t bring them to us.

The bottom line:

If you repeatedly push the boundaries, make unreasonable demands, get caught lying or generally cause trouble, we will stop approving your comments — maybe forever. Such moderation decisions are not negotiable or subject to explanation. If civil and constructive conversation is not your goal, then our comments section is not for you. 

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Burns is timeless.
    A few days ago after seeing the news this one line jumped into my head–
    “Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!”

    Reply
  2. Reply
  3. Reply
  4. Reply

  5. Wyoming Scotts may be interested to know that there is still a Swan Livestock Auction in the Scottish Borders.
    Slangs ‘a var

    Reply