There are record breaking running races, breath-holding deep-sea diving competitions - and now there is the Scottish world-wide toast to Robert Burns record breaker.
The Bard's birthday is celebrated by Scots the world over on Jan. 25, and this year an attempt will be made to break the record for the greatest number of people hosting a toast to his memory at one time.
"Scots around the world and their friends will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national poet Robert Burns," local resident Anne Robson said. "Because it is a special anniversary, there is going to be an attempt to get an entry into the Guin-ness Book of Records for the largest simultaneous toast."
Every year since shortly after his death at the age of 37, Scots have celebrated the life and poems of Burns, according to the website www.worldwidetoasttorobertburns.com. "Celebrations usually take the form of a Burns supper where we toast the Bard, sample Scottish delicacies like haggis, neeps and tatties, crannachan, trifle and clootie dumplings, imbibe the national drink and enjoy the songs and poetry written by Burns," Robson said.
She said in order to participate in the official count for the world breaking toast, Coasters must hold it at 1 p.m. The time of the toast in Scotland will be 9 p.m. Robson said she is planning a noon luncheon this year rather than supper so her group can be counted. Details can be found on the website.
Robson said any group of three or more count towards the record breaker. She is asking anyone interested in joining with their own event to please email her at [email protected].
