The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve held their Burns Supper at the Ponte Romana restaurant in Silves on Saturday 28 January. According to Society Chieftain Doug McAdam “The Supper was a resounding success with almost a full house of about 120 participants. We were particularly delighted on this occasion to be able to welcome so many guests attending for the first time”.
As usual bagpiper Malcolm MacGillivray got the evening off to a scintillating start by welcoming guests outside the restaurant. Guests enjoyed a glass or two of excellent espumante arranged by Joaquim Tinoco of Catuna & Silva Duarte Lual da Costa of Ervideira. The restaurant has been used for this event for many years and is now well practised in preparing and serving the traditional haggis, tatties and neeps. The haggis was exuberantly addressed by Chieftain Doug McAdam after it had been piped in and a quaich offered to the piper and accompanying party with Grant’s whisky sponsored for the evening by their distributors Prime Drinks.
The excellent main speech - the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns - was delivered by Sue McAdam. The mildly provocative toast to the Lassies was made by Vice Chieftain Rod Frew and Mahala Baker gave the more than adequate riposte on behalf of the lassies. The assembled company then partook of lively and enthusiastic Scottish dancing – which included an Eightsome Reel piped heartily by Malcolm MacGillivray – and the proceedings were brought to a close around midnight with ‘Auld Lang Syne’.
Audibility can be a problem at our spacious venue so we were very pleased that this year CW Entertainments Algarve provided their sound system for the evening.
Anyone interested in knowing more about the Society and its activities – no need to be Scots – should ring Chieftain Doug McAdam on 935 577362 or Kathy Prentice on 919 635246. And if you would like to give Scottish dancing a try why not speak to Mardie Cunningham, who runs the dancing at the Nobel International School in Porches on Monday evenings from 19:30-21:30? Her number is 282 356 029.
Doug McAdam
Chieftain
