Past Times

In pictures: The Haggis Chomping Championship of 1994 and other Aberdeen Burns suppers

From genteel Burns Suppers in Aberdeen, to the 'North-east Haggis Chomping Championship' of 1994, we've dug out some archive photos of this staple celebration in every Scot's calendar.

1987: Retired Norco employees were treated to the last Burns Supper to be held in Norco House Restaurant. The guests watched the haggis being piped in, carried by catering assistant Nan Bruce and Cherie Morrison of Bon Accord Ladies Pipe Band followed on. Image: DC Thomson

By Kirstie Waterston

January 25 2024, 6:00 am

January 25 2024, 6:00 am

Burns Suppers are a rare treat, and a tradition that has been carried out with gusto in Aberdeen over the decades. Although, the ‘North-east Haggis Chomping Championship’ of 1994 didn’t quite catch on…

From formal Burns Supper and Rotary Clubs to sheltered housing get-togethers, Burns Night is a generally genteel celebration of all things Rabbie Burns.

Over the years, Aberdeen’s butchers have certainly been kept busy providing humungous haggis to hotels and even North Sea platforms.

But in 1994, the Red House Hotel in Cruden Bay put a different spin on the time-old tradition.

Brave diners were challenged to eat as much of what was possibly the greatest chieftain of the pudding race – a 3lb haggis – in five minutes.

1994: Ian Devenish, owner of the Red House Hotel in Cruden Bay, was keeping an eye on chef Bruce Buchan, who was getting in some practice for the haggis-eating competition at the hotel in 1994. Hearty eaters were lining up for a crack at the unofficial title of North-east Haggis Chomping Champion. Image: DC Thomson

To put it in perspective, that’s the average weight of a rabbit.

The North-east Haggis Chomping Championship was launched by hotel owner Ian Devenish as a Burns Night celebration.

It proved popular with locals keen to put their stomach lining to the test.

Ian also owned Smith’s Butcher on the village’s Main Street, so there was plenty of Haggis for the keen chompers.

But, alas, we cannot find anything in the archives about who the Haggis Chomping Champion was. Answers on a postcard!

In pictures: Burns Suppers in and around Aberdeen over the years

1971: A toast from the host, Aberdeen university’s Professor RV Jones, third left, proposed the Immortal Memory at Fraserburgh Burns Club annual dinner in the Alexandra Hotel. Image: DC Thomson

1988: The congregation of North St Andrew all set for their Burns Supper in Aberdeen. Alan Steele addressed the haggis, held by Frank Bain, while pictured from the left are guest singer Alex Brown, the Rev Gordon Haggarty, guest speakers Bob and Lorraine Rintoul and, front, Highland hostesses Kirsten Haggarty and Vivienne Rintoul. Image: DC Thomson

1991: This group of Methlick volunteers spent a day spud bashing ahead of the preparation of the haggis.<br />Having filled three large boilers of prepared potatoes and another three of neeps, the traditional fare was well in hand for the Burns’ Supper at the village. Image: DC Thomson

1990: Westhill and District and St Fitticks Rotary Clubs had an international evening when they got together at the Westhill Hotel for a Burns Supper. Toasting the haggis was retired drama teacher Dorothy Taylor, from Kintore. Image: DC Thomson

1980: An unusual location for a Burns Supper – Pipe Major Ian Blair sounded a welcoming note as Burns night guests and some of the Auk A platform Crew meet on the helicopter landing deck. Image: DC Thomson

1991: Ready to do justice to the haggis were members and guests of Aberdeen Burns Club. Front, from left, president Sandy Stuart; George Taylor; Prof Hamish Keir, who gave the Immortal Memory, and club piper Bill Maitland. Image: DC Thomson

1989: Chef Sandy Flett holds the haggis ready for Aberdeen Burns Club president Jim Smith at their Burns Supper in the Stakis Tree Tops Hotel, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson

1985: Alistair McRobb bringing in the haggis before the 250 retired employees of Norco who were treated to a Burns Supper in the restaurant of Norco House, Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson

1969: Piper Jock Watt, Bucksburn and District Pipe Band, playing in the haggis, which was carried by chef Edward Gallagher, at Aberdeen and District Round Table Burns Supper in the Treetops Hotel. The address was given by past chairman Ronnie Gordon. Image: DC Thomson

1971: Dunnottar School headmaster Alexander Swan in fine form as he addressed the haggis at the second Burns Supper staged by the Dunnottar Ladies Club in St Bridget’s church hall. The Rev James A Roy presided over a company of 200. The haggis, held by chef Leslie Aitken, was piped in by Raymond Whyte. The Immortal Memory was given by John Michael and the toast to the Lasses by Baillie James Carnegie. Image: DC Thomson

1993: Inmates at Craiginches Prison entertained more than 30 pensioners from the Torry area to a Burns Supper. Prisoner Tam, seated centre, addresses the haggis with pensioners Bett Bell, front left, and Sarah Murray, right. While prisoner Tam, back left, cracks a joke with Ted Munro. Image: DC Thomson

1987: Executive head chef at the Stakis Tree Tops Hotel, James Whelan and Lord Provost Henry Rae support the haggis as John Fraser is about to deliver the mortal blow during Aberdeen Burns Club’s anniversary dinner. Top table guests looking on are, from left, Christina Middleton; piper Bill Maitland; Lady Provost Margaret Rae; chairman’s wife Isobel Smith; chairman James Smith; Gerry Davis; Irene Fraser, secretary; and Grace Crighton, treasurer. Image: DC Thomson

1984: Fun for all at the Foresterhill Wards 33 and 34 Burns supper held at the Struan Hotel, Aberdeen. Senior surgical registrar George Youngson, right, piped in the haggis. Image: DC Thomson

1987: Norco retired employees were treated to the last Burns Supper to be held in Norco House Restaurant. The guests watched the haggis being piped in, carried by catering assistant Nan Bruce and Cherie Morrison of Bon Accord Ladies Pipe Band followed on. Image: DC Thomson

1987: Elizabeth Still and Christine Mitchell, organisers of the Regent Club Burns Supper, with guest speaker Rob Ingram and the rest of the club members before the start of their supper in Regent Court. Image: DC Thomson

1990: Westhill and District and St Fitticks Rotary Clubs had an international evening when they got together at the Westhill Hotel for a Burns Supper. Image: DC Thomson

1978: Carol Sim pipes in the haggis at the Evening Express Burns Night in the Beach Ballroom. Image: DC Thomson

1989: Bert Burwood addresses the haggis at the Scottish Caravan Club North Centre Burns supper, held at the Deaf Centre in Smithfield Road. The haggis was piped in by Graham Wood. Image: DC Thomson

1986: Sampling the delights of the haggis at the Scottish Council for Divorced and Separated Burns supper is Ian Mackenzie who addressed the haggis. Looking on is chef Brian Strachan and piper James Taylor of Grampian Police Pipe Band at the function held in Simpson’s Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson

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