It’s Robert Burns’s birthday today so we were discussing haggis at work (including the pros and cons of Marks & Spencers microwaveable haggis). I’d never had haggis and had every intention of postponing that experience for some time to come, particularly once we had discussed the basic recipe.

Off I trotted for lunch only to discover that the topical catering service had surved up “haggis, neeps and tatties” for lunch. I took up the offer of a taste and decided I would risk it.

To begin with the haggis was quite spicy, countered suitably by the mashed potato. But I soon found myself munching more slowly and taking smaller mouthfuls. My stomach churned at this unexpected and unfamiliar meal and I kept trying to put from my mind our earlier conversation about the ingredients. It wasn’t that the taste was unpleasant, but the consistency made it hard going.

Eventually I finished it off. I didn’t get where I am today, or indeed to the size I am today, by leaving food on my plate. There are different recipes for haggis and I’ll be more suited to some than others. I might try another next year, but don’t tell my stomach just yet.