So pleased to read this. Though not covered in the MSM, there are have been sightings of strath haggis as far south as Buckinghamshire. I believe that, like muntjac and crayfish, they are slowly invading the entire country. I am doing my part by taking a brace of them to my friend’s Burns Night supper tomorrow, but I would definitely encourage my fellow county-dwellers to put some effort into patriotically munching their way through the stealthy invaders.
Ahaha this is so great. I've actually, somehow, never tried haggis. I have been meaning to for years, and I think I'd like it. Would be cool to do a farm to fork situation and catch my own I think
I believe there is a cousin to the strath haggis here in Ontario, called the Monora haggis (H canadiensis monoris). It's a denizen of the woodland, and difficult to spot when the woods are in leaf. I see them often in fall. Their instinct is to freeze when someone approaches, crouching down as close to the ground as they can, hoping not to be noticed. But the keen eye of a woodland forager often finds them.
Their coats aren't as thick as the coats of your strath haggis, so they often gather leaves for extra insulation. Or perhaps that's another strategy for disguise. Occasionally I've seen them huddling together for warmth. Those with the thickest coats take the outside positions, protecting the thin-coated ones.
Ours don't have the guard hairs, either. I suspect those serve to channel off the rain, which isn't as frequent here.
I had no idea they existed on the other side of the Atlantic. They must be more widespread than I imagined. Now that I know, I'll watch for them everywhere.
Here's a photo of one I stumbled across. It was, unfortunately, dead of mange. As you can see, wild animals have eaten its head and limbs, but unable to turn it over to get to the choice innards, they've left most of the carcass. Perhaps the mange gave it an off taste.
Ahh Alex, what a fresh breath of levity you bring with these fantas(b)ulous words..!
I have tried haggis only once in my life - a meal as extraordinary as your story - with artist friends in London which would have been hideously tedious had it not been for the presence of Charlie Watts... who held us all spellbound with hilarious stories of tours and drugs and women and all the rest that came with early star struck days of fame.
The haggis, was very good, though the red hairs rather stuck in my throat..! ;-)
Thanks for the mention! Your essays never disappoint. No Burns Night in Downeast Maine, but when I lived in Philadelphia I was a member of a museum/library that celebrated Burns Night, Bloomsday, and such. Good times...
I hail from the old Macdonald clan and have fond memories of childhood holidays in Loch Lomond, and grandpa retelling the stories of haggis hunting. I believe he had the head of one he’d caught nailed on the wall of his oak dining room, though I never did get to see it.
So pleased to read this. Though not covered in the MSM, there are have been sightings of strath haggis as far south as Buckinghamshire. I believe that, like muntjac and crayfish, they are slowly invading the entire country. I am doing my part by taking a brace of them to my friend’s Burns Night supper tomorrow, but I would definitely encourage my fellow county-dwellers to put some effort into patriotically munching their way through the stealthy invaders.
Ahaha this is so great. I've actually, somehow, never tried haggis. I have been meaning to for years, and I think I'd like it. Would be cool to do a farm to fork situation and catch my own I think
I believe there is a cousin to the strath haggis here in Ontario, called the Monora haggis (H canadiensis monoris). It's a denizen of the woodland, and difficult to spot when the woods are in leaf. I see them often in fall. Their instinct is to freeze when someone approaches, crouching down as close to the ground as they can, hoping not to be noticed. But the keen eye of a woodland forager often finds them.
Their coats aren't as thick as the coats of your strath haggis, so they often gather leaves for extra insulation. Or perhaps that's another strategy for disguise. Occasionally I've seen them huddling together for warmth. Those with the thickest coats take the outside positions, protecting the thin-coated ones.
Ours don't have the guard hairs, either. I suspect those serve to channel off the rain, which isn't as frequent here.
I had no idea they existed on the other side of the Atlantic. They must be more widespread than I imagined. Now that I know, I'll watch for them everywhere.
Here's a photo of one I stumbled across. It was, unfortunately, dead of mange. As you can see, wild animals have eaten its head and limbs, but unable to turn it over to get to the choice innards, they've left most of the carcass. Perhaps the mange gave it an off taste.
Apologies. I was unable to post the photo.
Ahh Alex, what a fresh breath of levity you bring with these fantas(b)ulous words..!
I have tried haggis only once in my life - a meal as extraordinary as your story - with artist friends in London which would have been hideously tedious had it not been for the presence of Charlie Watts... who held us all spellbound with hilarious stories of tours and drugs and women and all the rest that came with early star struck days of fame.
The haggis, was very good, though the red hairs rather stuck in my throat..! ;-)
😂😂😂
This was amazing, it reminded me of Borges’ book of magical beings.
Thanks for the mention! Your essays never disappoint. No Burns Night in Downeast Maine, but when I lived in Philadelphia I was a member of a museum/library that celebrated Burns Night, Bloomsday, and such. Good times...
I hail from the old Macdonald clan and have fond memories of childhood holidays in Loch Lomond, and grandpa retelling the stories of haggis hunting. I believe he had the head of one he’d caught nailed on the wall of his oak dining room, though I never did get to see it.