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A sold-out crowd enjoyed plenty of good Scottish music, food and fun at the annual Robbie Burns Night, hosted by the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, Saturday evening at the Kincardine Legion Hall.

A sea of tartan and colourful heather set the stage for the event, as almost 200 people gathered for a delicious roast beef dinner, complete with haggis.

Just prior to the meal, Nick Reid played a Piper's Welcome, and then Steve Wolfe piped in the haggis, carried by Keith Davidson.

Hugh Morrison gave a compelling Address to the Haggis, sticking a knife into the "warm-reekin, rich" dish and spewing the entrails of it.

Steve Wolfe (R) pipes in the haggis, carried by Keith Davidson

Following the meal, Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band president John McManus welcomed everyone and offered a moment of remembrance to band member Norm Dunsmoor who died last summer, just before the Massed Band event in August.

"We miss him a lot," said McManus. "He did so much for the pipe band."

A tape of music was played later, featuring Dunsmoor singing "The Flower of Scotland."

Ron Duncan gave a short speech, honouring the immortal memory of Robbie Burns, noting the renowned Scottish bard died at the age of 37.

Burns was well-read and well-educated, but suffered from illness much of his life, said Duncan. "But he didn't give up. He used everything as inspiration for his poems."

The written work of Robbie Burns is the third-most popular, next to The Bible and Shakespeare, said Duncan.

Burns had 15 children, not all in wedlock. He loved the lassies, his country of Scotland, and working the land, Duncan said. "His greatest gift was his understanding of the  human race, with all of its failings and trials, but he had no patience for hypocrisy."

Famous for his poetry, Burns was exceptional at satire, wit and humour, said Duncan. His most famous work, "Auld Lang Syne," has become a worldwide anthem on New Year's Eve.

Duncan raised a toast to Robbie Burns, followed by humorous toasts to the Lassies and to the Laddies, by Willie and Lizanne Campbell.

The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band performed its first set of music, with one piece accompanied by Brock Farrell on the drums; and "Amazing Grace" played initially by Nick Reid on the shuttle pipes, with his wife, Nicole, singing, and then the band joining in.

Nick (L) and Nicole Reid perform "Amazing Grace" with the pipe band

Highland dancers, students of Andrea Ferguson of Kincardine, performed for the crowd. Taking to the dance floor were Julia DiCastri, 11, of Point Clark, Shona Campbell, 14, of Kincardine, and Alexandra Chapleau and Celine MacKay, both 14, of Ripley.

Norm Annetts of the Massed Band, which is held every August in Victoria Park, presented to the pipe band a cheque for just over $4,000, proceeds from the 2011 event which was the most successful ever.

Norm Annetts (R) presents the cheque for just over $4,000 to Dave Wilson of the pipe band

Bob Forrest of the Kincardine Legion presented to the pipe band a cheque for $2,000, proceeds from the bar at the Massed Band. The Legion will also split with the band the bar proceeds from the Robbie Burns Night, he said.

Bob Forrest (L) presents the cheque for $2,000 to Dave Wilson of the pipe band

McManus said the donations are very much appreciated. The money goes toward uniforms and training. It costs about $2,000 to outfit one band member in a uniform, he said.

The evening continued with a performance by the Kincardine Strathspey and Reel Society, a second set by the pipe band, and a Haggis Toonie Toss. 

Alex Clarke (L) of Kincardine and his daughter, Kareen Springett of Port Lambton, enjoy the Robbie Burns Night  

Cathy Milne (L) wears the Ancient Red Gordon tartan of her family, while Mary Farrell sports the Kincardine tartan

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Sunday, January 22, 2012