Have we discussed Haggis Lately?

[Airehead]

[Kzoo]

Last I looked, authentic Scottish haggis is illegal to import into the USofA.

Where did you get your haggis?

We have a client who has immigrated from Russia and is a former Soviet Army officer.  He loves haggis.  Haggis was in his MREs in the USSR.  One of our consultants has family in Scotland and visits there often.  He smuggles a can or 2 of authentic haggis back for the client every time he visits there. 

Haggis is disgusting.

 

[Airehead]

It ahs been to the edge of space.

 

In honour of Burns Night, a packet of haggis has been launched to the edge of space for the first time.

Scottish butcher Simon Howie worked with space education and research firm Stratonauts to launch the 454g haggis in Perth and Kinross this month.pr

iThe haggis was attached to a weather balloon and soared more than 20 miles (107,293ft) above the Earth - equivalent to nearly four times the height of Everest.

After taking off from the Simon Howie headquarters in Dunning, it travelled over Stirling, Falkirk, Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills before landing safely in Lauder in the Borders.

Mr Howie said he wanted to start the year by "lifting the spirits of the general public" and was thrilled to work with Stratonauts "to take Scotland's national dish to new heights".

"Burns Night is one of the most important dates on the food calendar for us and we wanted to mark the occasion by sending the UK's best-selling haggis, the original 454g, to the edge of space," he said.

Mr Howie said his company had worked hard to increase production in the run-up to Christmas and now Burns Night, which Scots celebrate on 25 January to mark the life and works of poet Robert Burns.

With lockdown still in force, Mr Howie said he hoped the unusual stunt "gives everyone some much needed cheer".

The Scottish delicacy was flying for two hours, 37 minutes, and covered a distance of 52 miles. It has now been safely transported back to company HQ, where it will be preserved for years to come as the "first haggis in space".

 

Image:It is traditionally served as part of the Burns supper on 25 January, birthday of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns

Mr Howie said it is hoped the mission sparks intergalactic and scientific interest in young people.

Once the current COVID restrictions are lifted, the company plans to run workshops in partnership with Stratonauts in local primary schools to encourage more pupils into science, technology, engineering and maths-related careers.

Lewis Campbell, Stratonauts director, said: "Launching from Dunning was challenging due to the winds as we needed to ensure a safe retrieval of the footage and of course the 'space haggis' itself.

"Having monitored the weather for weeks, a window of opportunity finally presented itself - and what a window it turned out to be. Perfect conditions.

"After reaching over 107,000ft with views of at least 250 miles, the haggis then fell to Earth at nearly 200mph before the parachute took over - meaning it is also probably the fastest haggis in the world too."

[dinneR ★]

4 minutes ago, Kzoo said:

Last I looked, authentic Scottish haggis is illegal to import into the USofA.

Where did you get your haggis?

We have a client who has immigrated from Russia and is a former Soviet Army officer.  He loves haggis.  Haggis was in his MREs in the USSR.  One of our consultants has family in Scotland and visits there often.  He smuggles a can or 2 of authentic haggis back for the client every time he visits there. 

Haggis is disgusting.

 

I've never had any luck finding authentic haggis in the U.S. I think it's illegal because of the lining of the stomach.

Haggis is delicious if you try it. I've found most people who say they don't like it have never tried it.

[Kzoo]

7 minutes ago, dennis said:

I think it's illegal because of the lining of the stomach.

Yes this

[Parsnip Totin Jack ★]

4 minutes ago, Kzoo said:

Yes this

I thought it was the chopped lungs that made it illegal. 

[BuffJim]

35 minutes ago, Airehead said:

Picture would be complete with a blunderbuss. 

[Zealot]

Love me some haggis!