My husband Wayne and I had a yen to celebrate Robert Burns' birthday. Burns is the most well known poet of Scotland and the author of "Auld Lang Syne," Scots and those of Scots heritage the world over gather to remember Scotland, its history, heritage, and music, on or around January 25 of each year. Last weekend, we attended a formal Robbie Burns' Dinner sponsored by the Scottish Society in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The musical entertainment was varied, from lilting Celtic music sung to harp accompaniment to rousing music performed on bagpipes and drums.
The romance of ancient Scotland, as depicted by Hollywood, was not forgotten.
It was a memorable evening. But why did I feel so comfortable among those kilted men and women sporting plaids gracefully draped over their shoulders? Why did I get a chill when the pipe band made an entrance, bagpipes wailing and drums pounding? And why did I join in singing the chorus of Dougie Maclean's "Caledonia," "Caledonia, you're calling me and now I'm coming home"? Watch video of Dougie Maclean
I was told when I was young that some of my ancestors were Scots-Irish, Scots who migrated first to Northern Ireland and then to the United States in the 18th century. The number of Scottish descendants living in the United States is approximately two million Could DNA be responsible for the pull I feel towards all things Scottish?
As Scottish culture was reinterpreted in the Southwest over time, Scottish square dancing became the Texas Two Step. Fiddle music became bluegrass music, Oatmeal was eaten with sugar instead of salt. And bagpipe sounds were incorporated into modern rock music.
My favorite bread is a Scottish scone, best accompanied by a steaming cup of tea, which is what I wish I had this very minute on a gloomy January day in El Paso, Texas.
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