BY DEBBIE PAGE
Several hundred revelers in their Scottish finery enjoyed celebrating Scottish heritage at the 5th annual Robert Burns Night, hosted by the Historic Sharpe House, on Saturday evening at the Statesville Civic Center.
The room shimmered with lit candles in silver candelabras, huge arrangements of red roses on tables draped white table cloths and red tartan runners, beautiful antique china, and sheer white draping suspended from the ceiling.
The evening was dedicated to the memory of the Hon. Judge Robert A. Collier, Jr., who passed away last year. Collier was proud of his Scottish heritage and an active member and past president of the Saint Andrews Society of North Carolina and the Royal Order of Scotland.
He was also a director of the Loch Norman Games and enjoyed dressing up in his kilt to celebrate his heritage at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.
The crowd lifted a glass of Scottish whisky and toasted to his memory, promising to continue to keep the traditions alive for future generations. The judge’s son, Robb Collier, remembered his dad as being known for sharing a wee dram of Scotch whisky with friends, eliciting chuckles from the crowd.
The evening began with guests enjoying passed appetizers by the footmen, including Mincemeat Tartlets and Mini Scotch Eggs, and drinks, while being entertained by the music of Celtic Sessions (R.G. Absher, Naomi Orr and Julian Charles).
Guests also browsed the bake sale and silent auction items, organized by Sherry Coarsey and Donna McMillen, to benefit the nonprofit that maintains the Historic Sharpe House, the home of Statesville’s first mayor, Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe.
After guests were seated, the piping in of the haggis began, with piper Melanye Brennan and drummer Tim Conan leading the way. Keith Rhyne, director of the Historic Sharp House, carried in the haggis, prepared by Scottish Gourmet, a purveyor of Scottish cuisine in the United States. The Scottish caterer also provided a vegetarian haggis and authentic Cock-a-leekie soup and puddings (desserts).
Traditional haggis is made from the minced liver, stomach or heart of sheep or cows, usually mixed with onion, oatmeal, spices, and suet before being boiled in the animal’s stomach.
After the kilted Rhyne place the haggis on a table, C. Fred Sanford, a member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, performed Burns’ poem “Address to the Haggis” (https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/address-haggis/) and led the toast of Scottish whisky to the haggis.
Robb Collier next recited “The Immortal Memory,” a speech traditionally given by the event’s main speaker. The most formal reading of the event, this oration is a testimony to the life and legacy of Burns and is followed by a toast to his immortal memory.
Next Clay Johnson, a Sharpe House footman for three years, gave the traditional “Address to the Lassies.” The moment was especially meaningful because his grandmother from Glasgow was one of the attendees. The lighthearted address praised the role of women in the world today and drew on Burns’ work.
Kim Call Jordan gave the “Reply to the Laddies,” using Burns to praise and poke fun at the gathered men. The speeches are written in collaboration to make them more humorous and meaningful by referencing the other.
Scotsman Colin Carrick gave a toast to the Scottish heritage and praised the event’s authenticity, saying they could be in any room celebrating Burns Night anywhere in Scotland.
After the blessing was delivered by Trinity Episcopal Rector Brad Mullis, guests enjoyed the haggis as well as other traditional Scottish fare, prepared by The Smoke Pit Catering, incuding Highland beef, Howtowdie baked chicken, roasted salmon, ’neeps and tatties (potatoes and turnips), whiskey-glazed carrots and parsnips, cabbage/apple slaw, and fresh-baked rolls.
Puddings included Bread Pudding with Whisky Sauce and whipped double cream, Tipsy Laird, Dundee Cake, and Scottish shortbread.
The evening was closed with toasts, a beautiful rendition of a rendition of Burn’s “My Heart is in the Highlands” sung by Justin Fox, and the joining of hands for Burns’ most famous song, “Auld Lang Syne,” to pay a final tribute to the poet and to the spirit of friendship and feasting.
MORE ABOUT ROBERT BURNS
Robert Burns is the most celebrated Scottish poet who died at 37. The rebellious poet loved a dram of whisky, good friends, and the ladies, fathering 12 children by four different women. Though his education was sporadic, he began writing poetry while in school to girls who caught his wandering eye.
This complex man was also fascinated by the supernatural, evidenced in his poem “Tam O’Shanter,” and loved nature (“To A Mouse”) as a struggling farmer. He was a proud Scotsman who showed his love for the beautiful land and its working class people in his works, mostly written in the Scottish dialect.
In addition to poetry, Burns also wrote songs, the most famous being “Auld Lang Syne” traditionally sung in many countries on each New Year’s. His other popular songs include “Green Grow the Rashes, O,” “John Anderson, My Jo,” “A Man’s a Man for A’ That,” and “A Red, Red Rose.”
The first Robert Burns supper was held In at Burns Cottage in Ayrshire by Burns’ friends, on July 21, 1801, on the fifth anniversary of his death and has been a regular occurrence ever since around the poet’s January 25 birthday.
BURNS NIGHT 2026
Hoping to double the event’s attendance next year, Rhyne is already planning the next Burns night, on January 24, 2026.
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