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.
Fantastic! They are so hard to spot that they could have reached the south coast of England by now, and few would be any the wiser. It's a bit like the jaguar in Arizona, they are there, have been caught on camera, but barely anyone knows the world's third largest cat is present in the wild in the US of A. The difference, of course, is that the strath haggis is delicious and jaguar, err, probably not as delicious?!
Enjoy Burns Night, and definitely enjoy the haggis!
Are the Arizona jaguar any relation to the often spotted but rarely acknowledged Beast of Bucks? Perhaps this invasive species issue goes deeper than we’d realised.
Haha! I'm pretty sure there are, or were, big cats in the UK too, but I'm not sure how well they breed/survive there. The jaguar is fascinating, apparently managing to climb over Tr*mp's Great Wall with ease, relocating from Mexico. I think there are now over a dozen different animals caught on camera.
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
Yes, it's the best way! Although the work involved is considerable.
You should certainly try haggis, however, even if you don't catch your own! These days, it is tricky for me to find one with gluten-free oats (even though oats are naturally GF, they are usually harvested and prepared with the same machinery which processed wheat), and no longer being in Scotland makes it extra difficult. It's been a while.
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.
Ah! That's great to know there's a related species thriving over there! I love your observations, too, this made me happy. It's always interesting to compare natural behaviour of related species, so this is vital data!
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..! ;-)
The best trick is to hold the haggis over a flame before cooking, that way the hair is burnt off! ;)
And thank you, I'm glad you liked this piece.
As for that story, I loved it and need to know more! What a great memory. I suspect this is how fame grows, through the telling of tales like this. The idea of such a gathering centred around haggis on the table seems oddly fitting.
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Do you know, I've never read Borges' Zoologica? I really should, however, I think it inspired a LOT of writers, after all. It makes me happy to be included in such prestigious company. I thought it was a fun thing to share.
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...
Ah, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Those are good dates to celebrate! Sometimes (not often, to be honest), I miss living in a city and being able to see people and do things like that. I certainly miss being able to easily walk into a museum, however.
Yes! And galleries! Sometimes, I miss the ease of eating out, too, but fortunately I love to cook, and with my gluten intolerance and Aurélie's lactose, it can be tricky!
I learnt that a friend of ours is currently taking a sabbatical in France, in a village of 900 people--which has EIGHT bookshops! Apparently, they decided they needed to do something to attract people, so they went with bookshops. I love this. Our village, by comparison, has 400 people, but not one shop at all, let alone a bookshop!
Eight bookshops per 900 people - HEAVEN!! I miss the galleries, too. And art supply shops, although even when I lived in the city I still bought most of my supplies online in bulk, but it was nice to have somewhere to go when I ran out of something and had a deadline. But it's still not enough to entice me back to city living! :-D
No, I'm the same, I'm happy to outside the city, but occasionally there are things I miss. Art supply and stationery shops are one of them too! Sure I've probably already mentioned it, but those in SE Asia are incredible, cathedrals of pencils and paints, pens and paper, all manner of things I NEEDED when I perhaps didn't...!
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.
Thanks for this Wendy! I somehow only just noticed your comment, entirely by luck. So sorry I didn't say thank you sooner, I really appreciate your taking the time to share your memories of this little Scottish species. (Also, had a peek at your own work, subscribed, and looking forward to reading your words.)
How kind of you to come back and comment, and it was great to have the reminder of your original post. Thanks too for the subscription, I hope you enjoy my words. Have a good evening 😊
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.
Fantastic! They are so hard to spot that they could have reached the south coast of England by now, and few would be any the wiser. It's a bit like the jaguar in Arizona, they are there, have been caught on camera, but barely anyone knows the world's third largest cat is present in the wild in the US of A. The difference, of course, is that the strath haggis is delicious and jaguar, err, probably not as delicious?!
Enjoy Burns Night, and definitely enjoy the haggis!
Are the Arizona jaguar any relation to the often spotted but rarely acknowledged Beast of Bucks? Perhaps this invasive species issue goes deeper than we’d realised.
Haha! I'm pretty sure there are, or were, big cats in the UK too, but I'm not sure how well they breed/survive there. The jaguar is fascinating, apparently managing to climb over Tr*mp's Great Wall with ease, relocating from Mexico. I think there are now over a dozen different animals caught on camera.
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
Yes, it's the best way! Although the work involved is considerable.
You should certainly try haggis, however, even if you don't catch your own! These days, it is tricky for me to find one with gluten-free oats (even though oats are naturally GF, they are usually harvested and prepared with the same machinery which processed wheat), and no longer being in Scotland makes it extra difficult. It's been a while.
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.
Ah! That's great to know there's a related species thriving over there! I love your observations, too, this made me happy. It's always interesting to compare natural behaviour of related species, so this is vital data!
Thank you so much!
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..! ;-)
The best trick is to hold the haggis over a flame before cooking, that way the hair is burnt off! ;)
And thank you, I'm glad you liked this piece.
As for that story, I loved it and need to know more! What a great memory. I suspect this is how fame grows, through the telling of tales like this. The idea of such a gathering centred around haggis on the table seems oddly fitting.
I’ll make a note of that next time I eat haggis Alex, although something tells me the evening won’t be quite as memorable even if I do!
I wish had a tape recording of that evening!
Have a great weekend, we have a big sun and 17c here, it feels like spring already... 🍃
😂😂😂
Have you ever seen a strath haggis? I'm sure they exist a bit further into the glens from you, maybe not on the Black Isle itself, though?
This was amazing, it reminded me of Borges’ book of magical beings.
Thank you so much, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Do you know, I've never read Borges' Zoologica? I really should, however, I think it inspired a LOT of writers, after all. It makes me happy to be included in such prestigious company. I thought it was a fun thing to share.
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...
Ah, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Those are good dates to celebrate! Sometimes (not often, to be honest), I miss living in a city and being able to see people and do things like that. I certainly miss being able to easily walk into a museum, however.
I hear you. Bookstores and museums are the only things about living in the city! :-D
Yes! And galleries! Sometimes, I miss the ease of eating out, too, but fortunately I love to cook, and with my gluten intolerance and Aurélie's lactose, it can be tricky!
I learnt that a friend of ours is currently taking a sabbatical in France, in a village of 900 people--which has EIGHT bookshops! Apparently, they decided they needed to do something to attract people, so they went with bookshops. I love this. Our village, by comparison, has 400 people, but not one shop at all, let alone a bookshop!
Eight bookshops per 900 people - HEAVEN!! I miss the galleries, too. And art supply shops, although even when I lived in the city I still bought most of my supplies online in bulk, but it was nice to have somewhere to go when I ran out of something and had a deadline. But it's still not enough to entice me back to city living! :-D
No, I'm the same, I'm happy to outside the city, but occasionally there are things I miss. Art supply and stationery shops are one of them too! Sure I've probably already mentioned it, but those in SE Asia are incredible, cathedrals of pencils and paints, pens and paper, all manner of things I NEEDED when I perhaps didn't...!
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.
Thanks for this Wendy! I somehow only just noticed your comment, entirely by luck. So sorry I didn't say thank you sooner, I really appreciate your taking the time to share your memories of this little Scottish species. (Also, had a peek at your own work, subscribed, and looking forward to reading your words.)
Thanks again.
How kind of you to come back and comment, and it was great to have the reminder of your original post. Thanks too for the subscription, I hope you enjoy my words. Have a good evening 😊
Thank you!