Burns Night!

Burns Night is an annual celebration held on January 25th to honour the life and work of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland.

What is Burns Night?
Burns Night, also sometimes referred to as Robbie Burns Day/Night, is an annual celebration held on January 25th to honour the life and work of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland. Born on January 25, 1759, Burns is renowned for his poetry and songs that capture the essence of Scottish culture. The event has been observed worldwide since 1802 and typically features traditional Scottish food, drink, and entertainment.

Why is Burns Night celebrated?
Burns Night originated as a tribute to Robert Burns’ life and literary legacy. It began with a dinner hosted by nine of his close friends at Burns Cottage in Alloway to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death. The gathering included a meal, poetry recitals, and speeches, laying the foundation for today’s celebrations. Modern Burns Night suppers continue this tradition, with a Burns Night Supper that often includes music, dancing, and other forms of entertainment. The food (expect haggis, neaps and tatties), the whisky and the recitals of Burn’s work are always at the heart of the festivities, making it a vibrant homage to Scotland’s beloved bard.

What are Burns Night traditions?
If we could sum up how to celebrate Burns Night, it would be: Food, Whisky, Poetry, Toasts, Music, Tartan. However, most people will tell you that the intricacies and customary aspects of the day are what make it so special. Here’s what you can expect when attending a traditional Robbie Burns Night event:

Piping In The Guests
On Burns Night, Scots will often don their family’s tartan and it’s not unusual to see men wearing a kilt, kilt socks, a Prince Charlie jacket, a sporran and a sgian dubh alongside their dress shirt, tie, and brogues.

Burns Night Greetings
On Burns Night, traditional greetings reflect the celebration’s warm, festive, and distinctly Scottish spirit. While there isn’t a single ‘official’ Burns Night greeting, a few ways people might greet one another include:

Slàinte Mhath: This Gaelic phrase meaning “good health” is commonly used during toasts, particularly when whisky is involved.
Oidhche Bhlas Burns: meaning ‘Happy Burns Night”, this is a straightforward and cheerful greeting to mark the occasion.
Guid Burns Nicht: A Scots dialect version of “A good Burns Night”.

Toast lines: A line from Burns’ poetry might be recited as a greeting or toast, such as “Here’s a bottle and an honest friend!” (from A Bottle and Friend).

The Selkirk Grace
After the host of the evening has welcomed everyone and revealed what the evening’s entertainment will be, The Selkirk Grace is recited. This is a short but important prayer that is said before the Burns Night Supper commences.

Address To A Haggis
The haggis is the star of any Burns Night meal, and it is usually brought to diners on a silver platter by a procession of people including the chef. During the haggis’ journey to the table, guests clap in time to the music. Once placed down, the music stops, and everyone takes their seat. A chosen person then recites Address to a Haggis, which was written by Burns to show his love for the food. As the line ‘His knife see Rustic-labour dight’ is spoken, the person cuts the casing of the haggis along its length to reveal the deliciously savoury insides.

The Meal
A traditional Burns Night supper follows. As people eat, chat, and laugh, music is played gently in the background. Get inspiration for what to serve with our favourite Burns Night menu ideas.

Drinks
After the meal, guests usually enjoy sampling a range of whiskies as provided by the chair of the evening. If, as the host, you want to offer something other than neat tipples, there is a range of great whisky cocktails that are sure to delight guests.

Entertainment
Entertainment is a key part of any Burns Night celebrations so expect singing, dancing and bagpipe music. Often, there will be performances of Burns’ songs like A Red, Red Rose or Rantin’, Rovin’, Robin. There may also be moving renditions of his poems such as To a Louse or Tam o’ Shanter. If you and your guests aren’t up to putting on a concert, there are plenty of wonderful covers available online that you can play and enjoy.

A Toast To The Lassies
One of the essential speeches of any Burns Night party, the toast to the lassies and their subsequent reply pokes fun at the stereotypes of gender differences and praises the role of women in today’s society.

A Vote Of Thanks
As the night closes in, the chair of the evening gives a final thanks to all attendees and those who have contributed to making the night a success.

Auld Lang Syne
Last but not least, the evening culminates with all guests belting out Auld Lang Syne as they join hands and form a circle.

Pick up our recipe for Burns Night Haggis HERE!