Volunteers have gathered in the area to track down the Haggis; their sight keen and their hip flasks full.
As previously reported on this site, local expert, Lady Jane, has unearthed evidence of Haggis activity (view earlier Haggis Hunt story) and the team has high hopes of bagging a big one! The day dawns cold but the sun shines bright - maybe just time for a wee dram on the hill top before the serious business.
Where's the Haggis
Careful scrutiny of a map is essential to negotiate the tricky terrain which the Haggis inhabits.
Ceremonial Flag
The ceremonial flag for the Haggis Hunt is handed over to MacDon of the
Long-Lie, symbolising the official start.
It is the tradition that no hunt is properly equipped unless a Chief has been appointed
and that he bears the hunt flag with honour.
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The battle-wagon
The Chief of the Hunt has a trusty nose, and sets the team on the scent.
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The Beat begins
Scottish hunts traditionally use a line of beaters who shout and make a dreadful racket! Will they manage to flush out the Haggis? 
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"Haggis Ho!"
The Chief of the Hunt shouts out "haggis ho!", the traditional cry when the Haggis has been spotted. 
The Dash
On hearing the cry from the Chief, the beaters charge in pusuit of their elusive quarry. They must be quick or the Haggis will go to ground.  a
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Closing in
Hotly pursued by the hunters, the Haggis scurries into brush and undergrowth to find a hiding place. It buries itself under a tree stump, and the team gets out the spades to dig it out. Thanks to the trusty terrier, the Haggis is found!  Quel Surpise! Hooray!
After a struggle in which both sides struggled nobly, the Haggis is gently removed from its lair. This rare capture will now enable scientists for the first time to examine and perhaps tag a wild Haggis.*
With thanks to the team: Russell,, Kenneth, the Hon. Ladies Jane & Catherine, John, Pere & Louise, Sue, Roo, Biba and (at very short notice!) Don and Ann. Also thanks to GM whose background help and local knowledge contributed greatly to a succesful hunt.
UPDATE!!!
The Haggis is now safe at a secret Government location. Neeps from the locality have been flown down specially so that it receives the best food, and we hope to have a report from the distinguished Veterinary Professor ***** ********** in the near future.
POSTING - January 2012 - UPDATE.
We have been contacted by Mr Angus ' X' who has who has been in touch with more information about illeagle haggis farms.
Mr X sent us some photos of what he describes as a "McGintie Tree"
   McGintie Trees" - are so called after Hector McGintie, the first man to be prosecuted in Scotland for the illegal rearing of haggis outwith a designated area. McGintie was tried uner the 1869 Act after widespread illegal farms spread throughout Scotland and the Authorities tried to stamp out the practice. McGintie was at the heart of a major trade, and it was the custom of this underworld to 'post' bizarly decorated tree stumps on the approach roads to an area to tell other illegal operators that there was an illegal 'facility' in the area and to keep out. If you have seen one of these trees, let us know. And is you've enjoyed our haggis hunt, maybe you might enjoy our jewellery too! Please take a look.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE!!!
TAMED HAGGIS DISCOVERED LIVING WITH ELDERLY LADY IN
ABERDEEN!!!!
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