Och Aye....Scotfact: A third of all Americans surveyed by the Scottish Tourist board thought haggis was an animal they could hunt and catch. Many booked trips to Scotland hoping to go on haggis-hunting tours.
There are dozens of Scottish societies around Florida, many holding Highland Games and Festivals...scrolldown to see the list below.
TO HIRE A BAGPIPER in South Florida:
1] Call Scotsman Nigel McDonald [786] 205-5350, an accomplished bagpiper/pipe major who has won many of Florida's piping competitions and has played at droves of weddings and other functions around Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/Palm Beach.
2] Professional bagpiper Byron Hoffman is also available for South Florida functions. Reach him on [954] 962-9393.
3] The Palm Beach Pipes & Drums have played continuously since 1980---parades,weddings,
funerals,private gigs,memorials and social functions. The first pipeband to play at Universal Studios in Orlando, play often at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, also at Mar-a Lago and Palm Beach Polo Grounds. We also play for The Marine Corps every year. Parades on
Veterans Day, St. Patricks Day and Christmas. Wear British Military Uniform. Contact them also to hire a bagpiper for your events. Website is www.palmbeachpipes.com Contact [561] 848-0712 or [561] 308-6216 or [561] 487 6459.
4] GRAEME MASSIE a genuine Scottish bagpiper with 24 years in the British army. He is based in Ft. Lauderdale. To book him for your function call tollfree 1-800-539-2313 INFO: See his website www.florida-bagpiper.com Email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
SATURDAY JANUARY 30, 2010.DO TRY A BURNS SUPPER....Celebrate Scotland's worldfamous poet Robert Burns. Scots, English, Irish and Welsh around the world gather for Burns suppers in all corners of the world. Annually 9000 Burns Suppers are held in Scotland, across Florida and the world. One of the best is presented by the Scottish-American Society of South Florida, in Ft. Lauderdale. Cocktail reception, dinner with dessert and haggis, open free bar from 7-10p.m., Scottish and ballroom dancing tothe Harp and Thistle Pipe Band,the White Heather highland dancers, the Celtic Mayhem an entertaining band from Miami, and more. Plus the traditional Ode to the Haggis impeccably recited by a Scotsman. LOCATION: POA Hall, 4500 SW 15 St., Plantation, off St. Rd 7.Tickets $50 each in advance. Call Peter Buchanan (954) 577-9010. Full information on website www.sassf,org. I have been to this and it's a truly convivial evening--PK.
MIAMI SATURDAY JANUARY 30, 2010 John Martin's Irish Pub in Coral Gables usually also holds a superb Burns Supper. It's in their private room upstairs. I went to the excellent one in Jan. 2007. Must-re-book. Phone the pub for Burns Supper menu and details [305] 445-3777. Ask for Martin Lynch.
LAKELAND: NEW WORLD CELTS organisation presents its Annual Burns SupperTraditional Burns Supper Celebrating the Life & Works of Scottish Poet & Bard Robert Burns on January 23rd, 2010 at Julianne’s Restaurant in Lakeland. Traditional Burns Dinner including Haggis, Cock-A-Leekie Soup, Steak Pie, Potatoes, Vegetables & Dessert; Whiskey Toast and Robert Burns Poetry Readings. Raffles and Traditional Celtic Music with Bagpipers. COST: $35. Advance booking required by calling Donald Ryburn to book [863] 660-3131
SOUTH FLORIDA Scottish Games---a major event in January 2011. [The 2010 one was Jan 9]. Run by the Scottish American Society of South Florida [SASSF], established 1982. LOCATION: The Ft. Lauderdale Stadium, just northwest of the I95 Commercial Blvd. exit. I have been many times. They have a St. Andrews Ball and Burns Supper every year as well as other Scottish-theme activities. INFO/TICKETS/VENDORS/SPONSORS on website www.SASSF.org
TAMPA---in OCTOBER. The Royal Tartan Ball of Unification. Scottish and Irish kilted pageantry, ceremony and celebration. Enjoy an evening in the British Isles. Open bar from 6 pm to 10 pm, mouth watering food including Celtic delights, live Scottish music , bagpipers, dancing, games, prizes and more! Venue: The Shriner's Building in Tampa. Tickets $55.00 , INFO/BOOKINGS: John Miller [813 ]-735-9005 or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
TAMPA [Shop opening Sept. 2009] A Touch of Tartan Scottish owner Fiona www.atouchoftartan.com
JACKSONVILLE AREA annual Scottish games in February. INFO: www.neflgames.com
ORLANDO SCOTTISH GAMES. in January. For location/show info/vendors/tickets go to their website www.flascot.com OCALA SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES and CELTIC FESTIVAL. At Ocala Livestock Pavilion on Saturday Ocetober 3, 2009. INFO: www.ocalascottishhighlandgames.com
PALM BEACH SCOTTISH-AMERICAN SOCIETY Established many years ago. Tel. [561] 588-8777 info-line. www.saspbc.org
TAMPA BAY HIGHLAND GAMES in November. Details and to be a sponsor/vendor call Rob Hossack [813] 900-3370 www.tampabayhighlandgames.com Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
SARASOTA Scottish Heritage Society of Sarasota [941] 371-5768 SARASOTA The St. Andrews Society for Scots in Florida [941] 722-9840 Ask for Shirley
Saturday April 10, 2009 TALLAHASSEE SCOTTISH GAMES, established many years. Call President Keith Lindsey [850] 212-2926. www.tallahasseehighlandgames.com
JACKSONVILLE area Scottish Games. The Annual Northeast Florida Scottish games takes place in February. INFO www.neflgames.com
The Caledonian Club in Venice, Florida. For Scottish expats and people with Scottish roots. Call Pauline Mitchell President [941] 485-5199 www.caledonianclub.info
SARASOTA SCOTTISH GAMES in March at Venice Airport Grounds. INFO/TICKETS on www.sarasotagames.org
FT. LAUDERDALE Highlanders holds Scottish theme events throughout the year. For information call [954] 962-9393 www.ftlauderdalehighlanders.org
THE OFFICIAL BRITISH GOVERNMENT WEBSITE for info on Scotland: www.scotland.gov.uk
SCOTTISH LICENCE PLATES
These are bright, fadeproof colours, quality aluminium, holes pre-drilled to fit any USA car. Each plate comes shrink-wrapped. Not just for cars--many Scots in Florida put them on their office wall or in reception area to show their Scottish heritage. Some Scots I know have one on their boat. Pubowners: Put them on pubwalls, pubdoors or behind the bar. Make great extra Christmas or birthday present. GREAT FOR SCOTTISH-AMERICAN CLUBS. COST: $11 each, includes shipping and tax. Call The British Bureau with VISA/MC. [305] 371-9340 OR email your order to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Include your name/phone/address to ship plates to, plus VISA/C info. Or mail cheque to: THE BRITISH BUREAU 1717 North Bayshore Drive #3250, Miami, FL 33132. Tel. [305] 371-9340
WATCH SCOTTISH FOOTBALL MATCHESin Florida --Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.
There are Florida Rangers and Celtic Supporters Clubs. Fans gather to watch their teams at various pubs around Florida. RANGERS: Email Derek Walker, of the Rangers Club based in Ft. Lauderdale. He will give you info on where in Florida you can watch Rangers and Celtic matches:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
WEBSITE www.thefrsc.com In Ft. Lauderdale you can watch Rangers matches at the King's Head Pub in Sunrise [954] 572-5933 In Naples Loyal Rangers Supporters Club gather to watch the Rangers matches live at the English pub in Naples. Details on website www.naplesloyal.com Or call Club secretary Peter Hull on [239] 404-6137. Orlando Rangers Supporters Club gathers the George & Dragon pub [407] 351-3578. A roomful of Scots can't be dull! The pub shows all Rangers's games live . This club just celebrated its 10th anniversary. INFO: www.orlandorsc.com or phone Colin Bowman 407-536-9732.
CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB : 1] Celtic supporters watch Scottish matches at the Harp and Piper Pub in Pompano Beach. Tel. [954] 941-1714 Call pub to see where else in Florida you can watch Celtic. 2] Orlando Celtic Supporters Club show all Celtic matches live on giant screen TVs at the Lucky Leprechaun Irish Pub, 7032 International Drive, Orlando.
INFO on www. orlandoceltic.com or call President John Howley on [386] 451 4645.
Two Americans were driving through Wales. As they were approaching Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrn- drobwllllantysiliogogogoch they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town's name. They argued back and forth until they stopped at a restaurant. So Tom the Texan asked the Welsh waitress, a ditzy blonde, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are... very , very slowly?" She leaned over the counter and said : " Maaaaac-----Donnnnn------alds"
In Florida there is a Welsh-American Chamber of Commerce, founded by terrific Taffie David Williams, who is based in Miami. website www.waleschamber.org. Its function is to promote business between Wales and the USA. Phone David (305) 669-8244 His email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
David will know about everything Welsh in Florida.
Sarasota--St. David's Society for all Welsh people in Florida. They hold an annual St. David's dinner each March 1st. Must pre-book for that. Call Susanna Pugh (941) 951-6407.
Welsh Rugby Union Supporters Club. The club, based in Wales, has members around the world including Florida. Membership costs £39 per annum and includes Ticket Ballots, Supporters Pack, Online Forum and money can't buy events at the magnificent Millennium Stadium. To join the club or for further information please visitwww.wru.co.uk/supporters
FOR YOUR CAR--WELSH LICENCE PLATES
These are bright, fadeproof colours, quality aluminium, holes pre-drilled to fit any USA car. Each plate comes shrink-wrapped. Not just for cars--many Welsh people in Florida put them on their office wall or in reception area to show their Wales heritage. Some Taffies I know have one on their boat. Pubowners: Put them on pubwalls, pubdoors or behind the bar. Make great extra Christmas or birthday present for the Welsh person in your life. COST: $11 each, includes shipping and tax. Call The British Bureau with VISA/MC. [305] 371-9340 or email your order to
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
with your name/phone/address to ship plates to....plus VISA/MC.
OR mail cheque to: THE BRITISH BUREAU 1717 North Bayshore Drive #3250, Miami, FL 33132. Tel. [305] 371-9340 THE WONDERFUL WELSH IN FLORIDAare alive and flourishing it seems. In Sarasota the St. David's Society has been booming for 20 years, and has over 200 members, he said. Along the same west Florida coast, the St David's Society of St. Petersburg has been functioning for over 50! There is also a fledging St David's Society in Cocoa Beach. The Sarasota Society even has a flourishing Welsh choir, holds many functions throughout the year and a grand banquet on March 1st, St David's Day. INFO: www.sarasotawelsh.com or contact Don Hughes on
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
1-800 216 4133.
ST. DAVID'S DAY, celebrated by Welsh men and women around the world, is March 1st. Wear your leek with pride.
Sir Tom Jones, one of the world's most famous entertainers is Welsh. "At age 3 in Wales," he told a national magazine in November 2008, " they would put me atop an orange crate to sing for coins outside the village store. It was wartime and money was scarce. Singing is ubiquitous in Wales. The singing comes from the churches and the chapels, the miners coming home from the pits and soldiers of the Welsh regiments and the pubs. We sing in the schools and at weddings and birthdays. In the back of every pub in Wales there's a little singing room with a piano, and voices always singing." INFO: www.tomjones.com
SCOTTISH and WELSH 
oard thought haggis was an animal they could hunt and catch. Many booked trips to Scotland hoping to go on haggis-hunting tours.
gument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are... very , very slowly?" She leaned over the counter and said : " Maaaaac-----Donnnnn------alds"
BritishFlorida.com © 2010 Florida's Only Source for Everything British