The pitiable west coast Highland Haggis has a miserable documented history related to the midge (pronounced mi-jee).
This tiny flying little nuisance has given the canny Haggis lifetimes of sorrow. Chasing the helpless Haggis until exhausted, the Haggis curl into a ball and weep. Some Haggis have been forced into unspeakable situations by midges resulting in the Haggis taking refuge in streams and lochs (you’ll know how much the Haggis loathes water so the midge have clearly driven the Haggis to life threatening measures).
The Haggis is unlikely to escape these clouds of wretchedness at the height of the midge season and this, we think helps to explain the steady relocation of Haggis from highland to lowland and western to eastern regions.
The east coast of Scotland has meagre midge records and this is blissful news to the Haggis who can gambol to their hearts content unimpeded by the minuscule soaring irritant.
did you know this?
Midge madness
or this?
Haggis located on the flatter land in the east of Scotland have recently been discovered to have emerald gem-like piercing green eyes.
The Haggis tend to look permanently flabbergasted. But we are sure these stunning eyeballs are essential in keeping the Haggis safe. This vivid green colour has been a real eye-opener to us as enthusiastic Haggisologists. It’s usually so incredibly difficult to get close enough to photograph Haggis, let alone identify the detail of their eye colour.
YOU READ IT HERE FIRST HAGGIS GUARDIANS
LEGEND HAS IT
A HAGGIS' EYES ARE A REFLECTION OF ITS SPIRIT
Lots of Haggis facts and history to read about on this page... perhaps you'd like to grab a cuppa and some tablet or a wee scone to munch on to accompany all the fascinating Haggis facts coming your way... hold on to your kilt!
This photograph was taken with a large zoom lense capturing a Haggis sitting eight miles away in the relentless Scottish rain. Note the heady gaze and the vivid green colour of the eyes. Mesmerizing, even from that distance
A west coast Haggis photo shoot is planned soon by our AAH team to capture some exclusive images of these fascinating creatures.
As the Haggis relocate eastwards, we feel it important to keep an eye on Haggis events on the west side of the country.
We will be heading up Glenfibb on the West Coast of Scotland, situated between Glentwaddle and Loch Fuil, (see map in your Adoption pack) a gorgeous part of Scotland renowned for its boggy conditions and a rain fall of up to 3,000 mm per year.
Whilst ideal conditions for the Haggis it is imperative visitors to this region wear welly (Wellington) boots and wrap up incredibly well against the brutal climate and abundance of midges in the area (or take a friend with you that the midges can feast on while you Haggis spot to your hearts content)
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Following this we plan another east coast Haggis tally to give us fresh recorded numbers of Haggis finding their way to the flatter counties of Grampian, Angus and further inland in Perthshire.
Our Haggis spotting programme is reaping barely credible results with our team of Haggisologists gathering record numbers of sightings along with record breaking dropping spotting
over the previous 10-12 months.
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We cannot have moles in the vicinity when we conduct our studies as moles are Haggis' arch enemies. Their conflicts go back centuries...
We have found an incredibly harmless way to deter the moles whilst we conduct our studies. A mole feeds on insects and worms. Cooked spaghetti liberally distributed in the area we are monitoring confuses the mole beyond belief and they will sulk at each new find of spaghetti instead of a tasty worm.
So effective is this technique that we’ve witnessed whole families of moles plus heavy entourages make their way from the Haggis observation sites looking backward in blind disgust.
Mole sulking aside, this is a huge achievement and one which we intend to continue with your help!
STILL TO COME
Every Haggis adoption pack issued has its own personal ID number. This information is invaluable as we track Haggis progress and regeneration.
check this out
ROBERT BURNS HAD A BIT OF A CRUSH ON THE HAGGIS...?
DID YE KEN?
no i did noT KEN THAT!
SO...
the lonely haggis of eigg
“We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine; But seas between us broad have roared since days of long ago”
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Robert Burns wrote this ditty for the Haggis. Burns enjoyed spending time with Haggis growing up in the hills of Ayrshire. He would meander through the heather , climb the odd tree, kick pebbles and generally swoon around.
The Haggis would frolic nearby - always a little hidden as they are inherently shy creatures. Burns imagined paddling in the stream with the Haggis and he reflects on the distance that grew between them from those joyful days.
As we know, Haggis don’t go near water if they can help it so Burns was using artistic license quite liberally in this work.
Eigg is one of the small Isles in the Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
Evidence suggests a large colony of Haggis lived a very content and sustainable lifestyle on the island in the 15th century.
In 1577 a terrible local event between the clans MacDonald and McLeod resulted in the colony of Haggis evacuating the island secretly one night smuggled inside boats that were coming and going from the island.
One Haggis was sleeping throughout the entire Haggis break out and woke to a quiet, desolate scene. Not one other Haggis remained. He was alone.
This Haggis lived for his entire Haggis lifespan of one hundred and thirty seven years, four months, six days and seven hours. Can you imagine being on your own for so long with only the sea, the wind, the seagulls and the sky for company?
A lesson for us all in sleeping in.
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The sad tale of Ailsa Craig
View over to Ailsa Craig
Help these little gentle souls live in peace and harmony in the beautiful Scottish landscape. This spot overlooking the island of Ailsa Craig has traumatic memories for these little creatures.
Read about this incredibly sad history in your Adoption pack.
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Thank you! By purchasing one of our ‘Adopt a Haggis’ packages you are helping to sustain a long held Scottish legend. Scotland is famous for many things - the Haggis is one of our much loved treasures
so thank you for your support in preserving the myth.