St Andrew’s Day ‘big event’ in city

Passionately leading the haggis ceremony at this year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations in the...
Passionately leading the haggis ceremony at this year’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations in the Octagon is Matt Ryan. PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN
Florence Harris, left, and Lara Mills show their prowess at sword dancing.
Florence Harris, left, and Lara Mills show their prowess at sword dancing.
The Dunedin Harmony Choir entertains the crowd.
The Dunedin Harmony Choir entertains the crowd.
The Octagon’s Robert Burns statue is draped with the flag of Scotland.
The Octagon’s Robert Burns statue is draped with the flag of Scotland.
Performing in the Octagon as part of this year’s celebrations are members of the Ghillie Callum...
Performing in the Octagon as part of this year’s celebrations are members of the Ghillie Callum Club (from left) Zephy Latu, 6, Lottie Ward-Allen, 7, Savannah Bayne, 7, and Dusty-Rose O’Mahony, 8.

Both the smell of haggis and the sound of bagpipes filled the air at Dunedin’s annual St Andrew’s Day celebrations at the weekend.

The patron saint of Scotland was also celebrated with a haggis ceremony, Highland dancing and Oamaru stone lifting in the Octagon yesterday.

Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister City Society chairwoman Sarah Davis said St Andrew’s Day was "a big event in the Dunedin calendar" and was relevant because of the city’s Scottish heritage.

While some people were out in their tartan and proudly displaying their Scottish heritage, there was a novelty factor for others, Ms Davis said.

A survey of the crowd during last year’s celebrations had uncovered demand for more music and more bagpipes, so yesterday’s celebrations featured performances from three separate pipe bands.

Bagpipes were loud and sparked curiosity, Ms Davis said.

"It's a part of our heritage — we are a Scottish-settled city.

"People should know the sound of a bagpipe."

Robert Burns’ 1786 poem Address to a Haggis was recited as part of a haggis ceremony by designated "haggis lead" Matt Ryan.

There were also performances by Dunedin Harmony Chorus and the Ghillie Callum Club.

tim.scott@odt.co.nz

 

 

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