Burns Night has become a nationwide celebration, devoted to haggis, poetry, a drop of whisky, and of course pays homage to the late, great Robert Burns.
Our Devon Care Home, Sundial embraced the event with gusto this year, as they have the pleasure of four ladies living in the home who are all from Bonnie Scotland. One of the four Bonnie Scots is Margaret Mylne, who has lived at Sundial for over a year.
Margaret was born in Rutherglen on the outskirts of Glasgow in August 1927 and lived most of her life happily in Scotland. Margaret fondly reminisces of the times she would drive down from Scotland with her late sister to visit their family in Devon. She laughs as she remembers how her miniature poodle Copper, who would be sat patiently in the back seat of the car and would demand regular walking stops from the services at Carlisle down to the services at Exeter.
Margaret relocated down to Devon at the end of 2014, with Copper, in order to be supported by her family, but still very much embraces her Scottish roots. ‘I miss it dearly, but I do like it here’ she says with a smile, especially as Copper still visits regularly and is a firm favourite amongst family members and the care team.
The four lassies inspired the team to throw the perfect Burns Night supper. The team adorned the home with Scottish flags, played time- honoured Scottish music and had the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties. Margaret’s son Ken, who lives close by in Tipton St John, made an appearance dressed in the full Scottish regalia and addressed the haggis in traditional style with a Burns poem, a wonderful surprise for the family members at Sundial. It was a superbly Scottish celebration!