O what a glorious sight . . .

In one quite significant way I’m not a great one for the special ‘S. Andrew’s Dinner’, because I actively dislike any dishes based on sheep . . .

. . . which makes it particularly strange that, over the years, I have had to put my kilt on more than a few times in order to deliver that rather spectacular Address to the Haggis (yes, Robbie Burns again !) which is an essential element of the occasion.

However, with luck one manages to avoid all but the absolute minimum particle of the Haggis . . . and that can probably be concealed by the tot of Whisky which one gets to go with it : particularly if one gets the usual large one which one normally gets when one has done the duty of addressing it all in one’s best attempt at Burn’s version of Scottish.

Fascinating, I hear you say : but what, precisely, has it to do with anything relevant . . . to which the only answer I can provide is ‘Nothing at all; it’s purely one of those odd days when one concentrates on things which are not of great importance in the general scheme of things, but are nonetheless of personal relevance to many reasonable people’.

Of course, one of the drawbacks is that S. Andrew’s day comes in Advent almost as often as it comes outside it : but at least for the Scots that is hardly relevant; and even for the rest of us in the UK it is perhaps acceptable to remember it at least a bit . . . so I trust that you will at least recall S. Andrew’s Feast today, however you actually choose to celebrate it.