A sheep's liver, heart, and lungs: not many people's combination of choice when it comes to planning a birthday party menu.
And yet every year, many Scots sit down to a plate of haggis to celebrate the birth of one of the country's most prolific poets, Robert Burns.
While the spiced meat is mainly accredited to a Scots origin, some writers and critics claim the dish originated in England.
Read more: Burns Night recipes with a twist: top Scottish chefs share their favourites
Yet despite the controversy, it cannot be denied that a plate of haggis with creamy mashed potatoes and a healthy dollop of turnip is a Scottish classic.
And it's all down to one of Robert Burns' most famous poems: Address to a Haggis.
But for those who perhaps are not as strong-stomached, or prefer to steer from tradition with the ever-delicious steak pie, here are a bunch of different ways to enjoy haggis this Burns night:
1. Haggis Tattie Scones
#haggis #haggistattiescones and #haggisscones are here ready for #BurnsDay #fochabers #MoraySpeyside #tattiescones oh the amazing aroma 😀 pic.twitter.com/MFNQpyfIUn
— Fochabers Ice Cream (@fochabersice) 24 January 2019
Yet another Scottish delicacy is the much-loved potato scone. Made with a simple combination of mashed potato, butter and flour, it's often found as part of a classic fry-up.
But what if you were to infuse some spiced meat?
It brings together two thirds of the popular dish, haggis neeps and tatties, and the trio can be completed with a simple side of turnip.
2. Haggis bon bons
My darling made me a snack from scratch of haggis, neeps & tatties deep fried bon bons with a red pepper & chilli sauce. Cannot tell you how soft, fluffy, crisp & awesome they were. Went back for more... #Divine #Perfect 😋😋😋 What a way to start Sat night 😍 pic.twitter.com/DXwASPZwqc
— Delvena Johnson (@delvi72) 19 January 2019
If you're unsure about straying from tradition on Burns night, make use of your leftovers and turn them into another meal.
Haggis bon bons are quickly becoming a popular, quirky dish across the country, with the meat encased in a breadcrumb pocket and coupled with a small side salad.
Forget the peppercorn: be different with a red pepper and chilli sauce to accompany your feast.
3. Haggis gin
#worldfirst #kelso #gin #haggisgin pic.twitter.com/5gykWgtJ1x
— Rutherfords Micropub (@R_fordsMicropub) 22 January 2019
Haggis isn't limited to a plated dish, apparently - publicans at one of Scotland's smallest bars are launching a haggis flavoured gin for Burns Night - and say it tastes best when served with Irn-Bru.
Would you ever try a spicy gin?
4. Haggis-flavoured ice cream
Perhaps not the go-to alternative for dinner, but a haggis-infused dessert is certainly a unique spin on the traditional dish.
Read more: Keep the heid – they’re piping haggis ice cream in Aberdeen
Mackie's released this particular combination of haggis and marmalade last year as a one-off before Burns night.
They claimed their team found the chilly treat "strangely delicious".
5. Haggis burger
Today’s @horshammarkets special see the return of our Burns Burger....cheese burger topped with a whiskey cream sauce & haggis #BurnsNight #cheeseburger #burger #haggis #sussex #horsham #grassfedbeef pic.twitter.com/H8OEkWX3Pf
— Pig & Jacket (@PigandJacket) 24 January 2019
Nowadays, it seems that nothing can escape the burger trend, and haggis is no exception.
The last few years have saw haggis burgers soar in appearances on restaurant menus, with chefs taking their own unique spins.
The Pig and Jacket are storming the burger scene with their take on the Scottish classic: they opted for a cheese burger topped with a whisky cream sauce, and haggis to finish.
The Glentanar Bar and Kitchen also offer customers a tasty alternative, combining an Aberdeenshire sourced beef burger with haggis, black pudding, bacon and Arran oak smoked cheese. They source ingredients from butchers, grocers and fishmongers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
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