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Haggis hunt

Become the mythical haggis as you hop, skip or jump your way to the precious turnips. But watch out for the farmers!

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You’ll need

  • Access to water
  • Oven
  • Haggis
  • A bag of turnips
  • A bag of potatoes
  • Potato peeler
  • Potato masher

Before you begin

  • The person leading the activity should find some haggis for the group to try.
  • The person leading the activity should put potatoes and small turnips in different spots around the meeting place.

Run the activity

  1. The person leading the activity should ask the group what they know about haggis. Explain that haggis is a traditional food in Scotland and that according to legend, haggis is also a mysterious wild creature. See if the group know anything about animals in Scotland and find out what they think the haggis creature might look like.
  2. Everyone should now do their best impression of what they think the wild haggis creature might look and sound like.
  1. The person leading the activity should split the group in half. One team should be wild haggis creatures and the other team should be farmers. Show the farmers where the turnips and potatoes are in the meeting place.
  2. Explain to the group that the haggis creatures must try to find the turnips and potatoes and steal them, without being stopped by the farmers. Each haggis creature must continue to move in the way that they imagined a haggis to. Explain to the farmers that in order to catch a haggis, they must think like a haggis. When a haggis has successfully stolen a turnip or potato, the farmer must copy their movement when trying to catch them. Farmers should pat haggis creatures lightly on the head if they catch them with a turnip or potato. Haggis creatures should give back their turnip or potato when caught, for the farmer to put back where it was.
  1. After a time, the person leading the activity should stop the game and count how many turnips or potatoes have been stolen. They should swap the teams over and play the game again, with the farmers now the haggis creatures and the haggis creatures now the farmers.
  2. After the game is finished, during another activity, someone should take the turnips and potatoes used in the game and wash them thoroughly. They can then be chopped, boiled, and mashed together to make some 'neeps and tatties' for everyone to try.

Reflection

The group have found out about the traditional Scottish dish haggis. Did they enjoy trying something new? Haggis is made from meat, oats and spices, which are mixed together and packed into a bag. Why might this be useful food to keep you going throughout the day? Does anyone in the group know of, or have tried, any other traditional dishes from different parts of the UK - like Cornish pasties or jellied eels?

According to legend, haggis is also a wild animal that lives in Scotland. Has anyone visited Scotland or knows someone who is Scottish? Does anyone know what the landscape is like? Where could wild haggis creatures be hiding?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Active games

The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Contact games and activities

Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.

Cooking

Teach young people how to use cooking equipment safely. Supervise them appropriately throughout. Make sure it’s safe to use and follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use.

Food

Remember to check for allergies, eating problems, fasting or dietary requirements and adjust the recipe as needed. Make sure you’ve suitable areas for storing and preparing food and avoid cross contamination of different foods. Take a look at our guidance on food safety and hygiene.

Increase the number of haggis creatures to see if the farmers are able to stop them. Give the farmers freedom of movement if they find this too challenging.

Some groups may need to search for more familiar items, such as balls or beanbags, that can be used to represent potatoes or turnips.

People can move in any way they want to during the game. To make it easier, the turnip and potato drop-off spot could be moved closer.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Beavers Thistle Award
Beavers My World Challenge Award

Artistic haggis creatures could try and make their own turnips from tennis balls. Get a real turnip to copy and try painting the ball to look like it.

Fans of neeps and tatties might enjoy growing their own in the run-up to Burns Night.