Page 31 of Highlands Homecoming

“And like,” added Melissa.

Elspeth nodded. “Got it. Oh, hey. I got the new banner advertising our grand opening. What do you think?”

The banner showed a picture of the Inn, with its new landscaping, fresh paint, and theMacAlister Innsign on a blue-and-white tartan background with the wordsOPENING 7-2.

“That looks fabulous!” said Lindsay.

Melissa squinted at it. “I thought we were opening next month.”

“We are. February 7th,” said Elspeth.

“But the banner says July 2nd,” said Melissa.

Now Elspeth and Lindsay were confused. “It says February 7th.”

Melissa thought for a moment. “Oh, right. Over here you put the date first and then the month. We usually do it the opposite way in the US.”

“Ah.”

January 25th finally arrived—BurnsNight! There were thirty guests, and the dining room looked spectacular. Melissa had placed some of the art meant for the upstairs in the dining room; Sydney had put together a great playlist to play until theceilidhband arrived; and Drew had set out several collections of Robert Burns’ works on tables throughout the dining room.

Sandy and Margaret were among the first to arrive. Melissa gave them both a hug, then took Margaret’s jacket. “Thanks so much for coming,” said Melissa.

“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Sandy. “Been brushing up on my Robert Burns.”

As people began to arrive, Sydney and Elspeth acted as hostesses, checking coats and showing guests to their tables.

The fireplace in the corner crackled, and snow fell lightly on the windows. The music played classic Scottish songs and pop music by Scottish bands, and the smell of haggis wafted from the kitchen.

Melissa hovered near the door until Elspeth finally shooed her away. “You’ve got a seat with Lindsay’s father. Go sit. I’ll bring Colin when he gets here.”

Melissa couldn’t help but hover near the water pitchers, but the waitstaff shooed her away as well. Finally, she plopped herself into a seat next to Sandy and Margaret.

Margaret sipped her water and admired the dining room. “You know, I used to work here when I was in uni, and it made me so sad to see this place fall into disrepair. I’m so glad you all have been able to restore this back to what it once was … or even better.”

“Drew was the mastermind, but we all did our parts. You’re going to love the food Lindsay’s preparing for tonight.”

“Can’t wait,” said Sandy.

Just then, Colin arrived. Melissa waved him over, and he settled into his seat next to her after greeting his father and Margaret.

“Can you tell me more about Burns Night?” asked Melissa.

“Well, it started back in the 1800s, not long after Robert Burns died. Some of his friends wanted to honor his life and his works. They chose his birthday. One of his most famous poems isAddress to a Haggis, so the menu was pretty clear from day one. And you can’t have haggis and Burns poems without infusing the water of life, so whisky is, of course, part of the tradition,” said Sandy.

“Sometimes the piper greets the guests; other times, they wait to pipe in the haggis,” said Margaret.

The room was nearly full now. The wait staff brought out drams of whisky, and the scent of peat and smoke wafted through the room. The first course was soup: a choice of cullen skink or scotch broth. As Melissa reached for her spoon, Colin shook his head slightly. Once everyone was served, Drew came into the dining room.

“Welcome, folks, and thank you for being the very first to attend what I hope will be the first of many Burns Suppers here at the MacAlister Inn. We’re here to appreciate our national treasure, the Bard himself, on his birthday, so let’s raise a glass to our favorite poet, Robert Burns!”

They raised glasses. “Sláinte!”

“And since he wroteThe Selkirk Grace, we’ll be starting out with that,” said Drew.

“Some hae meat an canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;