Cyprus-Forum.com

[Eliko]

I saw a small creature moving in the undergrowth in an area of 'No Man's Land' yesterday, it looked rather like a hedgehog without prickles and moved rapidly as I approached it, my companion informed me that it was, in fact, a 'Haggis' and that they were released in the wild some years ago at the request of several Scottish residents who apparently trap them and eat them on 'Burn's Night'.
As this occasion will soon be with us, I was wondering if any of the members have any knowledge of this tradition?, how to trap, prepare and present to the table, how does it taste and what wine accompanies it?, is it in any way connected to the Gypsy tradition of eating 'Hedgehog' ?.
I do hope there may be a Scottish member able to help me on this one.

[THE HIGHLANDER]

Hi Eliko,
Haggis lead very private lives and would not appreciate me broadcasting there secrets in public,so send me a picture of yourself via PM and in return i will explain the whole truth and history surrounding the wee timid beastie and as im comming over to Cyprus to live on the 10th January, as a special treat i will bring a freshly caught Haggis especialy for you to enjoy on Burns Night.

[RichardB]

Ypu are correct Eliko

10 Breeding pairs were released in 2000 although they did not particulaly adapt to the urban areas there are now at least 3 colonies thriving in the Troodos area in fact in the village where I have my house (Lemythou) There is a cull in January because of the growing numbers. Many of the animals culled are indeed sold off to Scottish residents of the Island and indeed to the bases where they are considered quite a delicacy (though God knows why) apparantly they are seved with something called neeps and tatties.

Hope this helps

[devil]

You forget that the noble haggis has four legs. Those on the left side are longer than those on the right side. Because they are endemic only to the Scottish Highlands, this evolutionary curiosity is so that each can trot round its native ben (mountain to Sassenachs) in a clockwise direction (viewed from above), while keeping its body on an even keel. The males have longer legs than the females, so that they can catch them up to ensure propagation of the species. However, there is another peculiarity that makes the haggis unique among mammals. At the moment of death, its four legs, head, tail and ginger fur all drop off into the heather, thus making it ready for the pot. Extraordinarily, the heather, where these attributes are shed, blossoms into white flowers for one season. That is why it is so lucky to find white heather. The haggis has an extraordinarily large bladder and needs to urinate only about once per week but, being keen on hygiene, it trots down the brae to a burn to relieve itself. Of course, each burn is a tributary of a larger river, along which the whisky distilleries are built. This is why Scotch whisky has that unique perfume of haggis urine (which the ignorant English attribute to peat) and it's why there is only one drink worthy to accompany your haggis, tatties and neaps on Burn's night: a good single malt. Och aye!

[Eliko]

I have just been informed of another interesting peculiarity of the 'Haggis', (certainly deserving a capital letter), they are apparently able to fly quite swiftly and to great distances, the only drawback being that they cannot ascend to any height, merely skimming across the land, this ensures that they can never over-fly 'Hadrian's Wall' and ensures that they remain indigenous to Scotland, however, some do try to escape and suffer the consequences of such behaviour by rendering themselves incapacitated as they crash into the wall, they are easily gathered up after such an adventure and do not need to be trapped, a wonderful natural evolution.

[skyvet]

To assist any potential Haggis hunters, I have been advised by my local Scottish advisor (Angus MaCoatup) that the elusive Haggis can be instantly recognised by looking closely at their legs. They have two extended legs on the right, whilst their left legs are quite short. This is, of course, to enable them to stand upright on their hilly terrain.
Hopefully this information will assist in avoiding confusion between the Haggis and the Hedgehog.

[devil]

To assist any potential Haggis hunters, I have been advised by my local Scottish advisor (Angus MaCoatup) that the elusive Haggis can be instantly recognised by looking closely at their legs. They have two extended legs on the right, whilst their left legs are quite short. This is, of course, to enable them to stand upright on their hilly terrain.
Hopefully this information will assist in avoiding confusion between the Haggis and the Hedgehog.

Wrong! You got the sides wrong; see my post above.

[Eliko]

skyvet, your description of the Haggis may indicate a further species, if the legs are longer on the right side they would be apt to walk in an anti-clockwise direction, we have already been informed by an expert on the Haggis that the left legs are longer, you may well have stumbled upon a new and possibly more delectable creature, are you sure of your contention ?.

[Svetlana]

Well, I shall be eating one on 25th (Burns Night) SHOULD i ASK FOR A LEG OR A WING?

Lana

[skyvet]

Devil - I apologise! I should have made it clear that I was referring to the slightly rarer of the species - the anticlockwise Haggis! You are quite right in your description of the clockwise Haggis, endemic as you correctly say, to the Highlands of Scotland. The anticlockwise Haggis is a descendent of the breeding pairs released in the Troodos, and is known to be resident on these Mediterranean shores. Whilst a single malt is the preferred tipple with which to wash down the Scottish variety, the latter is complimented by a pint of Keo!