The Haggis is a creature surrounded by mystery and folklore. Over the years many stories and untruths have developed about these reclusive creatures.
Some examples of these are as follows;
The most common belief about the Haggis is that it is simply a pudding; a sheep stomach which is filled and cooked making it a Scottish delicacy. This seems to have sprung up as in ancient times apparently Wild Haggis were hunted by using a decoy made from a sheep stomach.
Another story that has surfaced has been that the Haggis’ rump is ‘shaped like a distant hill’, in fact, sightings of the wild Haggis reported it to be smaller than 2 feet long and is soft and rounded.
Another unsubstantiated story is that the Haggis lives in Loch Ness with Nessie. Could this legend have arisen because as stated before people may not believe in the wild Haggis anymore than they believe in the Loch Ness Monster? Reports defending the Haggis say they are not aquatic mammals but live on land; also they are wary of any creature larger than themselves, which could be why they are so elusive.
The proposed fact that the Haggis has one leg shorter than the other originally came from a supposedly respected source. Further investigation has revealed the legs should all be the same size, it is a guess that they may look uneven due to the Haggis standing in bogs to confuse predators –why- we don’t know, but it would be unlikely to stop a predator as the Haggis could not run from a bog!
My personal opinion of the wild Haggis’ existence is that although there is no concrete evidence, I am open to believe that the creature may exist and may become a frequent subject of our views and stories.
My personal opinion of whether we can believe in myths and all we read is that although many things may seem strange people should always read between the lines to make sure they understand the subject before dismissing it as fiction.
In final I would like to propose the creation of a foundation called “Save the Haggis”. I have suggested it be listed just ahead of the “Save the Whales” foundation on the National Registry. After all, there are a lot more whales out there than there are Haggii.
At the end of this essay I’d like to include a famous Robert Burns poem titled An Ode to the Haggis. This reflects the belief of the pudding shaped Haggis.
Robert Burns’ Ode To The Haggis
Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm
The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads
His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich
Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift
Be thanked, mumbles
Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner
Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist…the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit
But take note of the strong Haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles
You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a Haggis!
By Carl Savage
