By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
CAYUGA—Last Wednesday night, after a weather-related postponement, a sold-out crowd gathered at Ruthven National Historic Site for their first ever Robbie Burns Supper, an event they plan to see return yearly.
Upon arrival, guests registered for Ruthven Mansion tours and then made their way to the Coach House for drinks, themed decorations, and traditional Scottish music courtesy of duo Alana and Leigh Cline.
Departing from the narrative delivered during most tours, site personnel shared a tailored narrative that connected the Thompson family to the life of Robbie Burns and highlighted Burns’ writing and poetry.
Ruthven was established by David Thompson in the mid-1840s and was last used by the proceeding generations of Thompsons on and off until as recently as the 1990s.
Some of the decor seen at the event. —submitted photo.
One such generation was headed by Colonel Andrew Thorburn Thompson and his wife Violet. As a poet, Col. Thompson was inspired by the poetry of Robbie Burns. Col. Thompson’s own inscribed copy of Robbie Burns poetry was shown to guests during the tour.
Robbie Burns is famously known for writing the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne. To highlight this, guests were invited into Ruthven’s formal dining room that was properly set and decorated for a New Year’s Eve dinner, known to the Scots as ‘Hogmanay’. With Auld Lang Syne playing in the background, guests learned of a variety of Hogmanay traditions.
Keeping with Robbie Burns Dinner traditions, Landon Italiano piped in the haggis and Arthur Lyall delivered his first ever recitation of “Address to a Haggis”. Site Administrator Brittany Van Dalen proudly admits, “This event truly captured the atmosphere and energy of what we wished to convey, from the rustic and tartan accented décor to the authentic Scottish musical performance.”
Van Dalen gratefully acknowledges the support of those who sponsored the festivities: “On behalf of myself and the board of directors, I would like to thank everyone who participated in our Robbie Burns Supper event.”
Dan McLean, Branch Manager for Capitol Equipment Rentals, was a proud first-time sponsor. Wearing a kilt featuring his family hunting tartan, McLean explains, “My shared history with the Thompson family intersects with the Jacobite rising of 1745.”
Happy to see everyone gathered in the coach house, Ruthven Board of Directors Chair Ron Gowland states, “This is our first large event since COVID. Our new young staff have done a great job and we are very pleased with the support of the community.”
This event was an occasion to learn more about the Thompson family, enjoy an amazing dinner, and revisit the Scottish heritage of the area. Betsy Smith, board member for Ruthven Historical Site, affectionately says, “David Thompson would be delighted with this event.”
To learn more about Ruthven events, visit their website ruthvenpark.ca.
