Selkirk Haggis Hunt

Today is the first morning of the last weekend before Burns Night so it's the day of the great Selkirk Haggis Hunt. 

Hunters from across the Scottish Borders gather in Selkirk Market Place. Led by the town's bands they then set out towards Selkirk Hill at the traditional time of 11.02am. The procession stops when it reaches the Argus Centre. There, accompanied by music from Riddell Fiddles, the hunters perform the customary Haggis Polka. This ritual is said to bring good luck. 

Armed with their nets, the hunters can then descend on the hill searching high and low for the elusive creature that is Scotland's most famous delicacy. The sound of Bagpipes flushes out the creatures their hiding places, and for more than an hour, the hill is awash with the sounds of some serious hunting. 

When the hunt is over, everyone heads to the Hut on the Hill for the closing ceremony. To the sound of a lone piper, the hunt Chieftain recites Burns’ most famous poem, Address to a Haggis, and the 'beast' is ceremonially cooked and shared among the revellers. 

Here's a video of last year's hunt.