Did you know, haggis has been banned in the US since 1971? Find out why, along with more strange facts about the traditional Scottish dish…
Burns Night is Scotland’s annual celebration of the life and work of Scottish bard Robert Burns, who was born on 25 January 1759.
Scots all around the world traditionally celebrate the poet with a Burns supper, which usually includes Scotch whisky and plenty of recitals of Robert Burns’ work. And right at the centre of these merriments is the humble haggis.
Haggis may be modest, but there are a whole load of curiosities surrounding it – did you know, haggis has been banned in the US since 1971?
Here are five fun ‘did you knows’ about haggis to impress friends and families on Burns Night this year.
- Scotland’s best walks
- John Craven: Could more of Scotland be community owned?
- Guide to Assynt in north-west Scotland: where to stay, places to visit and great walks
Five strange facts about haggis
Haggis ingredients
Authentic Scottish haggis is made from sheep’s heart, liver, lungs and kidneys, as well as onions and oats.
Biggest haggis
The world’s largest haggis was made in 2014 by traditional Scottish recipe makers Hall’s of Scotland. It weighed 1,000kg, as heavy as a small car – or a very large cow.
Haggis hurling
Haggis hurling is a sport. According to the Guinness World Records, Lorne Coltart from Perthshire holds the record, throwing a haggis 66m in 2011 at the Bearsden and Milngavie Highland Games.
Haggis animal
According to a poll conducted by the Guardian in 2003, a third of US visitors to Scotland believe haggis to be an animal.
Haggis banned in the US
Scottish haggis has been banned in the US since 1971, when it became illegal to import food from the UK containing sheep lung. In January 2023, the Glasgow Times reported that food producer Macsween “is gearing up to become the first company to serve Americans the Scottish delicacy since it was banned in 1971 because it contains sheep lungs.” However, US officials said “there are no plans to change that.” Watch this space.