At a Saturday night gathering, Pat Hamilton noted that there were a fair number of men wearing the traditional dress of their Celtic ancestors. Tartan kilts, ghillie brogues and flashes were the regalia of the evening as the Scottish and Irish Society of the Black Hills met for a Robert Burns Birthday Celebration.

“There are some attractive knees in the other room,” Hamilton said of the men in their pleated tartan kilts.

At the Canyon Lake Chophouse, members hosted an annual tribute to Scotland’s poet laureate Robert Burns, 1759-1796, the folk hero credited for preserving their ancient language and customs.

Burns was a poet and lyricist who is as well-known for his works as his blunt political commentary. The celebration of his life and work has become an annual affair with Scottish organizations worldwide.

The crowd of 65 people toasted Burns, who created more than 400 works of poetry, music and penned the timeless New Year’s Eve favorite, “Auld Lang Syne.”

After the social hour, the revelers would share a meal and then watch the evening’s entertainment of traditional toasts, recitations and perhaps a reel and jig or two, said James Byrne, president of the Scottish and Irish Society of the Black Hills.

“There’s going to be songs, poetry and bagpipe instrumentals,” Byrne said.

Byrne said Burns was revered for preserving the Scottish dialect and traditions at a time when England was trying to repress them. He was something of a rake and rebel, but that went with his poetic soul. “He was physically attractive to women -- something of an early-day George Clooney,” Byrne said. “Burns did have 13 illegitimate children.”

He also had a humorous side, creating one of his more famous poems “Address to a Haggis.”

Gary Hamilton said the poem celebrates the primitive meatloaf that is the standard fare at Scottish dinners. The traditional dish includes a sheep’s freshly ground sweetbreads, liver, kidneys and heart, combined with oatmeal, along with onions, salt, pepper and spices, all loosely stuffed into a cleaned sheep’s stomach and boiled. Lungs were traditionally an ingredient in the mix, but they won’t pass the meat inspection today, he said.

“It tells me the Scots were a hungry people,” Hamilton said.

Aliyah Sanders wore the colors of her clans, the Duncans and the Neelys.

A society member for five years, she said that several clans were represented and distinguished by their tartans.

If asked to entertain later, Sanders said she was game to dance a reel to the live. It would be an evening filled with traditional music, interesting food and fun.

“This is all in honor of Robby Burns,” she said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.