Real Estate Views from St Pete

Angus's blog on his meme made reference to Scots, kilts and haggis, which started me thinking:

A few years ago friends (and clients) invited us to a Burns Party they were holding in the common areas of their condominium.  Burn Party? Burns Party? What was that?

A few blocks away from the condo, we began hearing bagpipe music. The bagpiper was playing outdoors near the pool, and the sounds carried across that part of downtown St. Petersburg (Florida). Most of the party guests were from Scotland, so the majority of men were wearing kilts - in a variety of plaids, depending on which clan the wearer belonged to, or which part of Scotland he came from.

Later there were traditional poetry readings from Robert Burns poetry (thus the name, Burns Party) and the accents and brogues became thicker as the evening went on. Different guests played different parts, or did specific readings. Yet later there was singing of old Scottish songs.

The buffet dinner had many choices, including traditional Scottish favorites. I was urged to try haggis, and I did, a small piece. I guess like Swedish lutfisk, it's an acquired taste!  It's good I didn't know at the time what was in it. I don't want to upset you on a day of Christmas cookies, but wiki tells you the ingredients as well as the history. 

Obviously it's a fun night, because now we have choices for Burns parties. The city of Dunedin, here in Pinellas County, has Scottish ancestry, and retains that flavor, including Scottish bagpipers, Scottish arts and crafts, Highland Games, and of course, Bobby Burns Parties.  Even our own St. Petersburg Yacht Club has instituted a Bobby Robbie* Burns party each January. A minority of the men come in kilts, but there are always some. The lasses often have Scottish costumes or accents.

Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.  

*Correction made 12/16/07 pursuant to a comment made below.