Come January 25th, millions of Scots at home and abroad will be celebrating Burns Night. Add to that number countless people who’ll be hosting their own Burns Supper as an excuse for a get together and you have a pretty huge world event. It’s as Scottish as bagpipes, whisky, and the thistle, but what is Burns Night and why does everyone celebrate it? If you already know, why not start planning your Easter break now?
What is Burns Night?
What is Burns Night? The simple answer is Burns Night celebrates the life of poet Robert Burns.
Who was Robert Burns?
Born in Ayrshire on January 25th 1759, Burns was a poet, lyricist, excise man, and farmer who was regarded a pioneer of the Romantic Movement. Whilst he received some formal education, Burns was principally home schooled by his father on the family’s tenanted farm.
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His early life was spent as a labourer for his father as they moved from farm to farm before settling at Mauchline in 1784, shortly after his father’s death. Not long after, Burns’ first child was born to his mother’s servant at the same time he was courting Jean Armour.
Plans to move to Jamaica to work on a slave plantation as an exciseman were thwarted by a lack of money to pay for the ticket. Burns published some of his works, “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect” (later known as the Kilmarnock Edition), to fund his passage but upon learning Jean had given birth to twins he remained in Scotland. It was around now the Kilmarnock Edition became known nationally and was met with universal praise. The collection featured poems such as “The Twa Dogs”, “Address to the Deil”, “Halloween”, “The Cotter’s Saturday Night”, “To a Mouse”, and “Epitaph for James Smith”.
Though the collection sealed his fame, it didn’t bring him fortune. It did, however, enable Burns to move to Edinburgh where he worked on new material and embarked on a number of affairs with a married woman and several servant girls.
In 1788 Burns eventually married Jean Armour and they moved to Dumfriesshire for the remaining years of his life. His later work focused on reworking Scottish folk songs with the aim of preserving them, and it was around this time he wrote “Auld Lang Syne”. Burns died on July 21st 1796, the day Jean gave birth to their 3rd child.
On the 5th anniversary of his death, his friends and relatives came together at Burns cottage for a supper to reminisce about their dead friend. Later, the event was moved to January 25th to celebrate his birth and life.
Burns Night Guide
Piping In of the Guests
The official festivities begin with the Piping In of the Guests. If you don’t know a piper, stick a CD on or try some traditional Scottish music. The pipes should continue until the high table is ready to be seated.
The Chairman’s Welcome
The host welcomes the guests and gives a brief introduction to the entertainment.
Piping In of the Haggis
Guests should stand for the arrival of the Haggis. Bought in on a silver platter by a procession comprising the chef, piper, and the person who will address the Haggis. Now is the time to ensure your whisky glasses are filled!
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Address to the Haggis
The following address is offered:
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye worthy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!*
*Shortened.
Upon uttering the words “His knife see rustic Labour dight” the reader should cut into the haggis and allow it to split open on cue “trenching your gushing entrails bright”.
Toast to the Haggis
After the speech, the guests raise their glasses and shout; “The Haggis!” The meal is then served.
Traditional Bill o’ Fare
The traditional menu for Burns Night features:
Cock-a-leekie soup
***
Haggis, neeps & tatties
***
Clootie Dumpling or Typsy Laird
***
Cheeseboard with bannocks
This should be washed down with lots of wine, ale, and whisky.
Entertainment & speeches
After the meal it’s standard for music to be played or sung. This should feature Burns’ songs or poems set to a tune.
After the music come the speeches.
The Immortal Memory honours the life of Robert Burns. It should cover his genius, politics, successes and failures and conclude with the words “To the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns!”
To the Lassies follows. It should be humorous, positive, include direct quotations from his works, and must praise the role of women today. It finishes with the words “To the Lassies!”
It is not uncommon for the lassies to respond with a Toast to the Laddies.
Auld Lang Syne
The final event of the evening sees guests join hands and sing Burn’s best known piece.
There will no doubt be regional variations of the exact procedure and formal events can be quite strict when it comes to Burns etiquette but this should give you a good understanding as to how to host Burns Night.
But where are the best places to spend Burns Night?
Edinburgh
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It should come as no surprise that Edinburgh’s the best place to spend Burns Night. Head to the castle for an introduction to his work before heading to a bar to sample some whisky. Make sure you book tickets for the Burns Night Ceilidh at the Scottish Café for a full Scottish experience. The Whiski Rooms hold a traditional supper with all the standard entertainment and offer a vegetarian haggis option.
London
I know, Scots everywhere will disapprove but London does take Burns Night seriously. Some of the most popular spots include Vinopolis where you’ll be greeted with a whisky cocktail and a whisky tasting! Alternatively, head to The Burns Club of London for a complete masterclass at this members only spot (rules relaxed for Burns Night). If you fancy a ceilidh, where better than The Ceilidh Club with its buffet style haggis, neeps, and tatties?
Dumfries
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Home of Burns in his later years, Dumfries is hosting the world’s largest Burns Night celebration from January 22nd to the 30th. There’ll be music, comedy (featuring Jason Byrne), and theatre amongst other things so start planning now!
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