COLLEGE students caused a Burns Night stir after putting a 5ft model haggis on a train.
The madcap students put the papier mache haggis on the 2pm Kirkcaldy to Inverness service yesterday, hoping an amused passenger might collect it at the other end for a Burns Night supper.
Sure enough, the haggis – complete with a pink kilt – was rescued by a businessman in the Highlands capital and whisked away to a celebration of the Scottish Bard’s life.
The haggis, made by students at Adam Smith college, Kirkcaldy, Fife, even sported a Paddington Bear-style tag with contact information for the college, in case he got lost.
The 5ft model was placed in the luggage department in the last compartment of the busy train.
A businessman, named by local press as Kit Fraser, collected the haggis from the station to be his guest of honour at a Burns Night supper for an accountancy firm.
Mr Fraser, owner of The Joy of Taste restaurant in Inverness said : “I liberated the haggis. He was in search of a party and we had a Burns Night supper going on in the restaurant so I took him.
“He even pulled two hot blondes. He was there all night and he had a great time. We’ve still got him and we might keep him for next year too.
“I was told this haggis was in seach of a party so I wanted to show him a good time.”
The model was made as part of an annual community art project.
Hazel Terry, curriculum head for creative arts at Adam Smith college, was in charge of the haggis trip.
She said: “The idea for the Haggis came about as we wanted to mark Burns Night and have some fun.
She added: “The haggis boarded the 2 pm train toInvernessand enjoyed a seat with a window view which brought many a smile to the travellers on the station platform and the train.
Fun
“We pinned a note on him asking travellers to take their photo with him and share through email and social networking sites their images and thoughts.”
Though the stunt caused much amusement for passengers on board, one local newspaper reported that the haggis almost caused a security alert within Inverness station.
It was claimed that railway staff were concerned by the unaccompanied haggis and that it was met off the train by officers from British Transport Police.
ScotRail today insisted they were well aware of the haggis and why it was on board.
A spokesman said: “It arrived safely and on time in Inverness and was kept at the station until reclaimed.”
A spokesman for British Transport Police said no incident was reported.
A spokeswoman for the college said that if any concern had been caused it was not intended.
She said: “We didn’t mean to cause any harm, it was just a bit of fun for Burns Night.
“Our haggis was clearly labelled and had our contact details on it if anything went wrong. We wanted to cause a bit of a conversation point, and we are delighted it caused some amusement for passengers.
“We just sent it out as a piece of public art for a bit of a laugh and a talking point. The students are delighted that someone picked it up and brought it to his restaurant. We’re glad that someone found it amusing,” she added.
Adam Smith students have played similar pranks in the past, leaving characters from The Magic Roundabout on various roundabouts around Fife.
