Haggis, neeps, and tatties is a traditional Scottish meal that is perfect for Hogmanay celebrations, First Footing, Burns Night, St Andrew’s Day, or simply when you fancy something comforting.
Scots will be raising a glass to the country’s most famous poet later this month. Burns Night is marking the 265th anniversary of the birth date of Robert Burns on January 25, 2025, and revellers will be tucking into Scotland’s national dish next Saturday night.
But amid the fanfare, one lingering question hangs in the air – do Scots even like haggis? One Reddit user recently aired his suspicions that the country might not be as fond of the savoury pudding – traditionally made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, along with suet, oatmeal, and spices, and cooked in a sheep’s stomach – as they make out.
“Who actually likes haggis?” the man asked. The replies came in thick and fast, from people in Scotland and beyond. One new Scot was quick to leap to the meal’s defence.
They wrote: “I moved to Scotland a year ago and I couldn’t believe the sort of reputation haggis has overseas as this weird gross food. It is delicious.” Another user replied: “Mon the haggis. Loads of people like haggis, otherwise they wouldn’t sell haggis pizza, haggis suppers, haggis morning rolls.”
A third gushed: “Loads of people love haggis, people need to realise that. It is a myth that people don’t like it purely because of its ingredients, just like people need to realise that black pudding is liked by a lot of people. I’d rather die than miss out on either.”
An American, who tried haggis in Glasgow last month, added: “Americans are afraid of what we don’t know, but when I travel, I like to try a dish that a country is known for. The haggis was superb. Don’t be afraid! It’s really good.”
Others weren’t as taken by the dish, though. One user confessed: “I want to try it but I’m scared to,” while another explained: “I am English living in Scotland and hell no, awful stuff. My Scottish partner likes it though.”
Another unimpressed sampler jumped in: “I had it once on my first and only visit to Scotland. It was ok,” while another American gave their view: “My main problem with haggis is that I’m not a fan of liver. At least the one time I tried haggis it very much tasted of liver. Black pudding I’m fine with.”
Another admitted: “As a tourist, I tried it and decided it is not for me. Now, the drink I had, Irn Bru… love that.”
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