The “Rabbie” Burns’ Charlottesville Branch party was by all accounts a spectacular and fun-filled evening. The event began with the traditional piper-led parading of the Haggis. Branch President Williams opened the event with a hearty welcome for all ESU members, Glenmore Country Club members, and their guests. He went on to thank Lizzie McCowen for spearheading the special decorations of the tables with tartan plaid and flowers. And without ESU Board Member Ginna Kelly, this splendid event would never have happened. On behalf of the Branch, the ladies were each presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Entire families arrived adorned in traditional Scottish attire to enjoy evening of food and fellowship.
One can’t have a Burns Night without the leadership of a Master of Ceremonies. Who better than Branch Member John Crawford, having been born and raised in Scotland, where appropriate, from the famous Burns “Address to the Haggis” to the Selkirk prayer, when a Highland brogue was needed, out it came, as clear as a Highland whiskey.
Charlotteville’s own ‘Albemarle Morris Men’ performed traditional folk dancing. Please see the video link below for several samples of the fabulous entertainment.
Piping Provided by Ian Wright.
During the evening’s presentation, John Crawford also presented excerpts from the Top Secret Drum Corps performing at the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in 2025. A very short YouTube clip to give you a taste of this precision performance is linked below. There is much more available online.