Late nineteenth century visitors, like the French political scientist Andre Siegfried, the Irish land radical Michael Davitt and the inimitable Mark Twain, were struck by the city's Scottish character. Since that time immigration from Scotland has declined to almost nothing, but the Scottish character remains intact.

Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh, yet Dunedin is nothing like the Scottish capital except for the street names and the entrancing "Juliet" towers which grace some of the older houses. Dunedin is hillier, smaller, closer to the sea and has better climate than Edinburgh.

Yet the place somehow reminded the founding settlers of the Midlothian countryside from which the majority came. It's rugged hills were familiar and they were delighted to discover that a bracing winter's frost was usually followed by a still, blue day, that the surrounding country was ideally suited to running sheep and growing oats, wheat and barley and that the river water was clear and clean. Galloway dry stone walls are dotted around the hills of the Otago Peninsula. Dunedin seemed tailor made for settlement by Scots.

These Scots, who established their own special free church Presbyterian settlement would made three major contributions to Dunedin's distinctive character.

First, they brought with them a passionate enthusiasm for education. The wealth generated by the gold rushes was soon put to good use in setting up Otago Boys' High School in 1864, the University of Otago in 1869 and Otago Girls' High School in 1871. Girls' High was one of the first state run secondary schools for girls in the world. New Zealand's oldest university has gone on to become the second largest in the country and boasts a range of special schools, including the first medical school in New Zealand.

Today, education is the city's biggest industry and Scots were instrumental in establishing the first three institutions which made this growth possible. The Reverend Thomas Burns, James Macandrew and the Englishman, Major J L C Richardson, would be well pleased with the way in which education has progressed in the city.

Second, the Scots' leaders also had a passion for their religion. This enthusiasm was not shared by all the settlers but it did produce several fine church buildings and the elegant spires of First Church and Knox remain as reminders of the idealism which fired the city founders. This idealism also included a concern for democracy and social justice which helped shape actions taken in the 1890's to end exploitation of labour and to promote a fairer distribution of land.

Third, the rather stiff Presbyterian "tone" of Dunedin gave later generations something to kick against. The dour faces glaring down from the walls of the Early Settlers Museum seem to have inspired much creative rebellion. Dunedin has produced more than its fair share of writers including one James K Baxter, whose reaction against Calvinism resulted in some of our finest poetry. Robert Burns, uncle of the Reverend Tom Burns, would have understood and approved Baxter's challenge.

The prominent place accorded Robert Burns' statue in the City centre is most appropriate. In 1887 the foundation stone was laid for this pivotal statue, designed by Sir John Steell of Edinburgh. On opening day 8,000 people gathered to view it - too many crushed together to enable collection of the final 100 pounds still needed!

Robert Burns, of course, is a venerated figure throughout the world and Dunedin is proud of this highly visible Scottish link. Burns is said to have composed the "Address to a Haggis" as a novelty party piece, little knowing at the time that his wonderful words from the heart would become a regularly acted ritual, steeped in tradition.

Dunedin has evolved its own Haggis Ceremony - one that suits our local way of doing things. It incorporates the colour of local Scotsmen, the skill of the local bagpipers, a haggis made of Otago lamb and good oatmeal, and the golden 'Usque Bae'. This last vital ingredient, the golden whisky, was made by Wilson Distillers in Dunedin, the whisky distillery is no longer operating. Dunedin's Leckie's Butchers are renowned for fine haggis making. It is their haggis that is prepared at the venues - to be addressed then tasted.

A feature of the ceremony is the involvement of the visitors (not without some hilarity) in the haggis ceremony duties of carrying the inevitable tray of Wilson's whisky and glasses, the sword, and the unique haggis delicacy itself, whilst cheerily bedecked with colourful tartan hats. Visitors leaving Dunedin take with them a tangible reminder of southern hospitality ... and a damned good whisky!

Dunedin has many other Scottish traits other than the performance of the haggis ceremony - fine golf courses, pipe bands, the finest range of malts and whiskies in New Zealand. Yet it is not a carbon copy of a Scottish city. It is rather a place where Scots came to start again and in interacting with a new environment, an indigenous people and other migrants from an overcrowded Europe, made a special city with a Scottish flavour all of its own.

The accents of the whole city seem to thicken each year during official Scottish Week and the skirl of bagpipes is often heard. Having a special appeal for our Caledonian Societies and Burns Club members, Scottish Week is for everyone who is a Scot at heart and wants to join in. The whole city becomes involved in ceilidhs and concerts, banqueting on haggis patties, shortbread, oatcakes and black bun, curling, historical conferences, poetry readings, Queen o' the Heather, Kirkin' o' the Tartan, tossing the Caber and country dancing.

Ochaye! Enjoy the celebration, enjoy Dunedin, and 'haste ye' back.

Robbie Burns

Born into a poor family on 25 January 1759 at Alloway, a village near Ayr on the West Coast of Scotland. From an early age Burns had an ear for folk music and a gift for writing lyrics to go with existing tunes. After publishing his first volume of poetry he was "adopted" by the "important" people of society as a kind of curiosity - a ploughman who could hold is own in conversation with anyone and his company was sought at the dinner tables of the gentry. On one such occasion Andrew Bruce invited him to dine, the meal consisting of haggis and whisky.. His work is written in the language of the common people, spoken to the heart, from the heart. He died in 1796 (at the age of 37) after a lifelong struggle with illness.

The Dunedin Haggis Ceremony

Since his death people have gathered to listen to readings of Robert Burns' poems. On one such evening in 1805 someone suggested having a haggis for supper. Prior to eating the meal the poem "Address to a Haggis" was read. It was such a success that the "Burns Club" adopted the tradition and today's ceremony evolved around the poem.

The wonderful literature and ritual associated with this ceremony has been adapted over the many years since the first Dunedin "Burns Supper" held some five years after the arrival of settlers in 1848. The Burns Club of Dunedin was founded in 1891.

Tourism Dunedin and Wilson Distillers designed and produced a haggis ceremony gift package. The result is a colourful Haggis Certificate incorporating the pictorial elements of a Dunedin tartan, a haggis from one of our excellent haggis makers, the historic Wilson's Distillery and a wonderful verse from Robert Burns' "Address to the Haggis".

The Haggis Certificate is presented to visitors following the ceremony, and is of such quality it is regarded as a souvenir in its own right. Each certificate is presented with a miniature of Wilson's whisky as a souvenir companion - together these make a gift duet visitors can take with them. Residents and visitors are able, through Tourism Dunedin, to have the Dunedin Haggis Ceremony arranged for them - from the ordering of the haggis and the arranging of the presenter and the piper, to the presentation of the Haggis Certificate and whisky.

Dunedin's special haggis ceremony is a mobile event and can be staged at any social or dining venue the client desires. Being from only 20-30 minutes long, it generates a festive and friendly welcome for any occasion.

Dunedin is famous for its strong links with Scotland and many locals take their Scottish responsibilities - and Dunedin's own whisky - very seriously. Haggis ceremonies (not for the faint-hearted!) are held regularly. Wilson Distillers Ltd, the only whisky distillery in New Zealand and Dunedin's own little piece of Scotland.

Dunedin Tartan

The Dunedin Tartan was designed and first worn by Vilma Nelson. It was adopted by the Otago Scottish Heritage Council in 1988, and officially registered as the Dunedin District of New Zealand Tartan by the Scottish Tartan Society in Crieff, Perthsire. This is a body set up in the 1960's by Lord Lyon, Keeper of Arms to sort out the squabbles arising over various tartans.

The small white stripes represent the first two ships; the blue strips the sea they crossed; the green for new pastures; the gold for crops grown. The red signifies blood ties left behind; and the black sadness for loved ones missed.

It was necessary to call it the 'Dunedin District of New Zealand tartan" because Dunedin, Florida, USA, has its own tartan as well.