The Scottish poet Robert Burns (“My love is like a red, red rose . . . “) never made it to Armenia during his life (1759-1796), but his memory is raised here every year when Scots and pretend-Scots gather for “Burns Night”.

In the early 20th century, Burns was known as the “people’s poet of Russia” as his poems were translated and widely distributed among peasantry who felt shunned by the ruling aristocracy. His legacy in Armenia, however, has been spread since 1999 when the first “Burns Night” supper was held here. Each year since, sometime near January 25, the poet’s birthday, ex-pats and locals meet at Armenia Marriott Hotel for a night of ceremony, charity and, naturally, Scotch whisky.

The centerpiece of each dinner is the traditional Scottish dish the “haggis” – a spicy concoction made from sheep and cow organs and cooked in a sheep stomach. Each year, with great pomp that includes bagpipes and kilts, the haggis is brought to Armenia from Scotland by true Scots.

This year’s honor fell to a butcher from Scotland, John Davidson, 59, who was making his third trip to Armenia for four days that culminated in Saturday night’s supper.

Davidson says this year’s haggis was made from a secret recipe he inherited and that, in 1994, won a haggis recipe competition in Scotland.

Davidson said he finds many similarities between Armenians and Scots.

“We look forward to coming here every year,” Davidson said. “Armenian people are very kind and friendly, just like in Scotland.”

Joining Davidson was Tommy Elder, 48, an engineer for Coca-Cola company who also plays the bagpipes – a skill he learned since age 9, on the direction of his father. He brought with him a 100 year old set of pipes (and he left with an Armenia duduk bought at vernisage).

This was Elder’s fourth trip, but said when he was asked to come the first time, he had to look up Armenia on map. Landing (the first time), in January at Zvartnots was a lesson: A man shouldn’t get off a plane in Armenia in middle of winter wearing what appears to be a skirt. He now arrives in civilian clothes, but dons the kilt for the many events associated with Burns Night.

“Robert Burns loved music and a Burns Dinner needs a piper,” Elder said. He plays the same tunes at each dinner, beginning each with “A Man’s a Man” from Burns’ famous poem.

There is more to a Burns event than putting on a party.

Charles Masraff, a native originally of London and subsequently the Scottish Borders, has lived in Armenia since 2006 .Last year Masraff (whose father was Armenian) opened Top Table café on a busy corner of Tumanyan Street from which he also runs a catering service.

As point man for this year’s Burns affair, Masraff says the gala offers a chance for Armenians to become Scottish for a night, while also raising funds for charitable projects.

Since the first Armenia Burns Supper, in1999, proceeds from the annual suppers have been spent on such projects that this year include opening a “Burns Center” at the Zatik Orphanage. The center will help orphans by providing them with computer access and language teaching with the assistance of the Armenian British Connect organization.

Over the years proceeds from the supper have helped provide neo-natal equipment for a number of provincial hospitals, assistance to various orphanages, help for the partially sighted and a small amount of core finance for a sheep-breeding improvement program of which Burns, as a sometime sheep farmer, would undoubtedly have approved.

“Most importantly the supper has encouraged and fostered a sense of camaraderie between the local and the expat communities here in Yerevan,” Masraff said. “The international flavor of much of Burns’ work is rightly recognized worldwide and annually endorsed here.”

This year’s supper sold more than 200 tickets and – as each year – was supported by the Marriott Hotel and HSBC bank.

Burns Saturday nights are typically followed by Bloody Mary Sundays. This year Masraff helped Burns participants take the edge off with a brunch at his café from which he said that this year’s Burns Night raised more than $20,000 for charity.