Haggis, a savory pudding made of lamb organs and barley, was the first dish of the night — avoided by some but devoured by many — at the 37th annual Burns Nicht celebration Sunday, hosted by the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard.

“It’s very traditionally Scottish and goes back hundreds of years,” said Scottish Society president Dorian Lopes. “They slaughter the lamb and grind up everything really fine... then they put it back in the sheep’s stomach and boil it in pig fat. We had ours tonight ordered from off-Island and shipped here.”

The event commemorates the birth of Robert Burns, renowned Scottish poet and lyricist, and about 100 members of the Scottish Society gathered at The Loft in Oak Bluffs to pay tribute to their heritage.

Traditional Scottish folk tunes were performed.

Ray Ewing

Traditional Scottish folk tunes were performed.

Ray Ewing

Scottish Society board member Patricia Correia said that a tablespoon of haggis each year is one of the few exceptions she makes to her vegetarian diet.

“I’m not particularly fond of the liver,” she said. “But if I were on a windswept moor and hungry and cold, I’d go for it.”

Guests also dined on cock-a-leekie soup, and champit tatties and bashed neeps (turnips and mashed potatoes), among other Scottish delicacies.

Board members Steve and Colin Ewing and Christopher Scott led an auction, with proceeds going to the Scottish Society’s high school scholarship fund.

Becky Williams performed a solo.

Ray Ewing

Becky Williams performed a solo.

Ray Ewing

Music then filled the room when 16 singers took the stage to serenade guests with traditional folk tunes, accompanied by Mr. Lopes on the recorder and pianist Phil Dietterich. Earlier in the evening, Edgartown police chief Bruce McNamee played the bagpipes.

“My favorite part of the night is hearing my daughter sing,” said Martha Hudson, before the performance. “She has a great solo part.”

As the night came to an end, keynote speaker and Scotland resident David Roy, who has attended the Island event for the last four years, stepped up to the microphone to tell the story of Mr. Burns and bid adieu to another year’s Burns Nicht supper.

“He knew that it was the strong bonds of family and community that enlarge and enrich the human condition,” said Mr. Roy. “And there is no better example of honest, authentic, neighborly fun than how we gather here tonight.”

More pictures.