EVEN Freddie the dog sported tartan when residents and staff at RMBI Home Shannon Court in Hindhead dressed up for a traditional Burns Night celebration.

While residents and staff donned tartan scarves, Freddie wore a tartan waistcoat.

In keeping with tradition, the home’s care assistant Sheona Melville, read aloud Burn’s famous poem Address to a Haggis. Residents then tucked into a traditional Scots feast prepared by Shannon Court chef Andrew Rumble, which included Haggis meatballs with whisky sauce, bashed neeps and chappit tatties.

The celebratory lunch was rounded off with a wee dram of whisky, a nibble of Scottish sweet tablet and some traditional bagpipe music.

Shannon Court admin assistant Jenny Colquhoun, who is Freddie’s owner, wore her family’s own tartan. She said: “My clan are the Colquhouns of Luss, which is in the Loch Lomand area of Scotland.

“Quite a few of our residents and staff also have Scottish heritage, so we thought what better way to beat the January blues than a traditional Burns Night celebration.

“Our residents really enjoyed it and it was lovely for them to feel part of the wider community, as people all over the UK celebrate Burns Night too.”