On January 25, 2019, ScotCanBC held our 2nd annual Burns Supper gala event at the Pan Pacific Hotel raising over $14,000 for Prostate Cancer Canada’s Plaid for Dad campaign.
Over 100 guests attended this spectacular showcase of the Scottish food, drink and culture in honour of the bard himself. The event was supported by our partners and sponsors, including the British Canadian Business Association, Prostate Cancer Canada, Visit Scotland, British Airways, Helijet, MCL Motor Cars, Authentic Wine & Spirits, LNER, Indigo hotels and Tennent’s.
We were thrilled to have UK Consul General, Nicole Davison and Ireland Consul General, Frank Flood join us this year, in addition to many individual and corporate guests returning from last year.
The night started with a reception with whisky tastings and some delicious appetizers, including wild boar haggis, kippers on toast and whisky cured Scottish salmon, prior to being piped into the ball room by a member of the Vancouver Pipe Band. Our MC, Fred Lee, then got the evening started.
The Chairman’s address and the Selkirk Grace were made by ScotCanBC President, Gareth Withers, and a very spirited Address to the Haggis was given by fellow board member, Ross McDonald.
This year’s dinner included Cullen skink, (a smoked Haddock and potato soup), a baked Macsween’s haggis and venison duo and well as the traditional neeps and tatties. The accompanying Scottish whisky flights were provided by Authentic Wine and Spirits. The meal was artfully finished with a “Tipsy Laird” (trifle with fresh raspberries and cream).
The live auction, led by Mark Mahl, raised over $14,000 for Prostate Cancer’s Plaid for Dad campaign; a very worthy cause.
The energetic and supremely entertaining Mad Celts provided the post dinner entertainment and offered a vast array of music that seemed to cover every Scottish tradition. Of course, no Burns supper would be complete without the toasts, which proved to be one of the highlights of the evening. The Toast to the Lassies was delivered by ScotCanBC member Archie Campbell. The reply was given by ScotCanBC board member and Vancouver Park Board Commissioner, Tricia Barker.
The night ended with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne as we all bid farewell until next year. We are already looking forward to the next one!