It doesn’t get more Scottish than Whisky and porridge and as Burns Night approaches we thought an Ode to each was in order. Porridge is a filing staple of the Scottish breakfast and is also full of nourishment as advocated by the founder of Rude Health, Nick Bernard among others. Both the Dukan and GI Diets also recommend it . The delights of porridge have travelled far and wide with competitors from Norway and the US taking part in the World Porridge Making Competition. This year’s winner of the Golden Spurtle was a Gaelic singer from Strathglass. The specialty section of the competition; in which contestants are allowed to add ingredients of their own choosing was won by Chef Neal Robertson who produced a delicious sounding Winter Spiced Porridge with blueberries, sugar and heather honey. One of our own favorites combines oats, double cream, brown sugar and whisky! The 18th World Porridge Making Championship The 10th of October each year is ‘World Porridge Day’ where porridge fans from around the world can come together to celebrate the joys of porridge and fundraise for Scottish Charity Mary’s Meals which works in 16 of the poorest countries in the world, providing daily school meals for over 500,000 children. Spike Milligan’s verse in honor of porridge is a fitting tribute -

Why is there no monument To Porridge in our land? It it's good enough to eat, It's good enough to stand!

On a plinth in London A statue we should see Of Porridge made in Scotland Signed, "Oatmeal, O.B.E." (By a young dog of three)

Scotland’s spirit is sure to be savoured by Scots and lovers of Scotland alike on BurnsNight. Glenmorangie is the best-selling whisky in Scotland and with a wide range of interesting whiskies on the market you’ll be spoilt for choice as you raise a toast to the Bard. Looking to try a new dram Macallan, Laphroaig , Glenfiddich are superb and if you’re feeling flush or a Dalmore Sirius –a very special bottle of whisky, one of only 12 bottles released the Dalmore is expected to reach a staggering £25,000 at auction – small change when compared to the World’s most expensive whisky the Dalmore 62 which went on sold for £125.000!.

In Burn’s comic Tam O'Shanter verse he plays tribute to whisky, which was his own favourite tipple.

Inspiring bold John Barleycorn! What dangers thou can make us scorn! Wi' tippeny, we fear nae evil Wi' usquabae, we'll face the Devil."

Tippeny refers to ale with a two pennies tax on it, and usquabae means ‘water of Life’.