How to Make a True Scottish Toast

The Scots know their “whisky.” They produce great quantities of what we call Scotch and what they just call whisky. (No e in it.) From blends to world famous single malts, they are proud of the quality and reputation of the drinks they produce. They are also proud of some of their celebratory songs like Auld Lang Syne. Everybody seems to know Auld Lang Syne, but few are familiar with the following great Scottish toast.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Proper Toasting Style
• A Dram or Two of Scotch
• Friends or Family
• Any Occasion

1. Make a Scottish toast by getting everyone’s attention. Stand up and lift your glass toward heaven.

2. Look everyone in the eye as you say with good cheer: “Here’s tae us.”

3. Ask with eyes widening: “Wha’s like us?” Look everyone in the eye again.

4. Say a bit louder and triumphantly to all: “Gie few and they’re a’ deed!”

5. (Optional) Look sad and say “Mair’s the pity.”

6. Drink your wee dram of whisky down! And laugh out loud.

7. Translation of this wonderful Scottish toast:
   Here’s to us,
   Who is like us?
   Damn few and they’re all dead!
   More’s the pity.

Tips & Warnings

• If you dig this article, please Digg it.
• Auld Lang Syne was a poem written by the great Robbie Burns in 1788 and set to a folk music tune.
• Some English people may not be too fond of this toast. All the more reason to make it!

Resources

• Wikipedia article on Auld Lang Syne

[ethoslogos]

on 1/9/2009 Well, LilacGirl, thanks for the endorsement. Make sure you see Edinburgh, the Highlands, and some of the Islands, like Skye. Go to visitscotland.com for a virtual tour! Click on the Homecoming Scotland ad and see what Sean Connery and others have to say!

[LilacGirl]

on 1/9/2009 Well, being of Scots ancestry(as well as many others, a "mutt" like so many Americans), I really enjoy anything to do with Scotland, its people and its customs. My Scots ancestors came from practically every part of Scotland, so I've got to visit every corner now don't I? And have a toast in every place I visit. Thanks for a great read. I enjoyed it.

[Kathymcbain]

on 1/6/2009 I have some friends from Scotland and I LOVE, LOVE the accent and the way they talk. I remember one used to say something like, "Yer want a bunch of fives?"

[kerrylf]

on 1/4/2009 Fun.

[hoolihan0519]

on 1/3/2009 Good article. And thanks for the translation. LOL. RCR