You might ask, why is a Scottish festival celebrated in Iceland? The obvious reason might be it's because the Scots know how to party and why let a good opportunity to join in pass? While that might be the main explanation for Kex Hostel's annual Burn's Night celebration (scheduled this week), the story actually goes far deeper than that.
Iceland and Scotland share some ancient roots, dating back to the Viking invaders of the British Isles. While both historical and DNA research indicate that around 60 to 80 percent of Iceland's settlers were of Norse origin, the rest however were from Ireland and the British Isles. Recent evidence even suggests that around 60 percentage of the Icelandic maternal gene pool is derived from Ireland and Scotland. That is much higher than other Scandinavian countries
Recently a Scottish butcher, who has spent the past few years researching Haggis, the national dish of Scotland recipes, argued that it dates back to the Viking age and is indeed a Norse invention. Haggis is a dish very similar to the Icelandic delicacy slátur: A sausage made by stuffing a sheep's stomach with diced innards of sheep, liver as well as lungs and heart, mixed with a oatmeal, onion, pieces of sheep suet (solid white fat) as well as seasoning.
And of course haggish will feature heavily on the menu at Kex this coming weekend when the annual Burns Night festival kicks off. Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland around January 25. It commemorates the life of the poet Robert Burns, who was born on that day in 1759.
The three-day festival starts on Thursday, 28 January, with the final night on Saturday 30 January, and is partnered by the Edinburgh Association in Iceland and Icelandair.
KEX Hostel, located in downtown Reykjavík, is flying over a Scottish piper who’ll guarantee that the Festival will be held according to the tradition and Dàimh, a Gaelic supergroup and un-challenged champions of Highland music will play live music on all of the nights.
Sæmundur í sparifötunum, the restaurant at KEX Hostel, will be serving a special Burns Night Menu that consists of traditional dishes such the renowned haggis, mashed potatoes, neeps and whiskey sauce.
Kex Hostel, Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík. For dinner reservations write to [email protected] or call +354 510 0066.
The Program:
It’s haggis time!
Robert Burns, also known as the Greatest Scot, is with us in spirit as we kick off the Scottish festival week with Burns Night, from January 28TH to 30TH.
A Scottish piper will play the bagpipes and true Scots will read the poetry of Robert Burns.
Scottish music!
The Scottish band Dàimh will perform traditional and alternative Scottish music, Friday and Saturday at 21.00. Russell Mechan plays the bagpipes Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 18.00.
Scottish menu!
Our menu will feature haggis, lamb, stew and other authentic Scottish delicacies, staying true to the week’s nationality.
Whiskey tasting with Vífilfell and Mekka!
The deliciously complex taste and long smooth lingering finish of Scottish Whiskey is known and loved throughout the world. This week at KEX, you can enjoy the feeling and taste of true luxury to the fullest.
You might ask, why is a Scottish festival celebrated in Iceland? The obvious reason might be it's because the Scots know how to party and why let a good opportunity to join in pass? While that might be the main explanation for Kex Hostel's annual Burn's Night celebration (scheduled this week), the story actually goes far deeper than that.
Iceland and Scotland share some ancient roots, dating back to the Viking invaders of the British Isles. While both historical and DNA research indicate that around 60 to 80 percent of Iceland's settlers were of Norse origin, the rest however were from Ireland and the British Isles. Recent evidence even suggests that around 60 percentage of the Icelandic maternal gene pool is derived from Ireland and Scotland. That is much higher than other Scandinavian countries
Recently a Scottish butcher, who has spent the past few years researching Haggis, the national dish of Scotland recipes, argued that it dates back to the Viking age and is indeed a Norse invention. Haggis is a dish very similar to the Icelandic delicacy slátur: A sausage made by stuffing a sheep's stomach with diced innards of sheep, liver as well as lungs and heart, mixed with a oatmeal, onion, pieces of sheep suet (solid white fat) as well as seasoning.
And of course haggish will feature heavily on the menu at Kex this coming weekend when the annual Burns Night festival kicks off. Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland around January 25. It commemorates the life of the poet Robert Burns, who was born on that day in 1759.
The three-day festival starts on Thursday, 28 January, with the final night on Saturday 30 January, and is partnered by the Edinburgh Association in Iceland and Icelandair.
KEX Hostel, located in downtown Reykjavík, is flying over a Scottish piper who’ll guarantee that the Festival will be held according to the tradition and Dàimh, a Gaelic supergroup and un-challenged champions of Highland music will play live music on all of the nights.
Sæmundur í sparifötunum, the restaurant at KEX Hostel, will be serving a special Burns Night Menu that consists of traditional dishes such the renowned haggis, mashed potatoes, neeps and whiskey sauce.
Kex Hostel, Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík. For dinner reservations write to [email protected] or call +354 510 0066.
The Program:
It’s haggis time!
Robert Burns, also known as the Greatest Scot, is with us in spirit as we kick off the Scottish festival week with Burns Night, from January 28TH to 30TH.
A Scottish piper will play the bagpipes and true Scots will read the poetry of Robert Burns.
Scottish music!
The Scottish band Dàimh will perform traditional and alternative Scottish music, Friday and Saturday at 21.00. Russell Mechan plays the bagpipes Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 18.00.
Scottish menu!
Our menu will feature haggis, lamb, stew and other authentic Scottish delicacies, staying true to the week’s nationality.
Whiskey tasting with Vífilfell and Mekka!
The deliciously complex taste and long smooth lingering finish of Scottish Whiskey is known and loved throughout the world. This week at KEX, you can enjoy the feeling and taste of true luxury to the fullest.
