The Ultimate Guide to Burns Night
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne!
Let us honour and celebrate Robert Burns. Each year on the 25th January (same day as his birthday), a Burns supper is held and is considered a Scottish institution, with a night to celebrate the life and works of the national Bard (poet).
The first Burns supper was held in 1801 and over 200 years later, new traditions have been included, but the sentiment remains the same: we pay tribute to Scotland’s national poet. Whether you plan an informal gathering or a large pomp and circumstance, celebrating in Scotland or worldwide, here is everything you need to know to mark the occasion.
Opening Ceremony
A piper and maybe even drums welcome your guests. Hear the traditional music call you in via procession and guide you to your seats. You sit down when everyone has found their seat. The call to attention is given, by someone simply yelling or banging on a table.
Welcome Address
The mister/mistress of the evening will give a welcome speech and a brief overview of the evening’s events. After which, celebrants will come together and gossip or pore over the poems left on tables. They may even peruse the whisky bar. The host will then offer grace, typically reciting The Selkirk Grace, while a soup course is served.
“Some ha meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.”
The soup can be a classic leek and potato or my personal favourite, a fish soup called Cullen Skink. A hearty scottish soup, traditionally made with smoked haddock.
Piping in the Haggis
The evening’s biggest moment, our piper will lead the procession whilst the chef follows behind carrying in the haggis. We decided to proudly promenade the haggis to each table, where the guests could marvel at it and a photo of Robert Burns was presented to each table for homage and adoration. The procession ends when the haggis is placed upon the high table before the gathering. All can see it, it should be piping hot, with steam rolling off it.
Address and Toast to the Haggis
A designated reciter reads the poem aloud and over the haggis. Shots of whisky are given to the guests and we toast to the honourable Bard. The main course is served with slices of haggis, neeps (suede/turnip) and tatties (mashed potato). Vegetation alternatives can also be served.
A traditional dessert called Cranachan can be served on Burns Night. Cranachan is a blend of toasted oats, raspberries, honey, double cream and whisky. To be fully transparent, we took a detour from tradition and were served homemade trifle (guess we really are English) and brownies with whisky cream sauce.
Boisterous Buffoonery
Then comes the entertainment. The evening is a medley of jolly Scottish sing-alongs, poem recitals and a quiz on Burns’ life and works.
The principal address is The Immortal Memory. The host or a designated speaker will deliver this address. This should be an important delivery, with a serious and careful consideration to the life and art of Robert Burns. Your guests should leave a little more informed than when they arrived. It may be a biographical sort of speech or something specific to his work.
Ensure that the speaker is well-informed and has done their homework on Burns. This shouldn’t be an off-the-cuff riff or piled with baseless humour. It should last about 15 minutes, any later and your audience’s attention may start to drift off. The speech concludes with everyone standing up, raising their glasses and toasting to the immortal memory of the Bard of Ayr.
Now follow the other poems, toasts, songs and addresses of the evening.
Tam o’Shanter
No Burns Night is complete with reciting this great narrative poem.
Toast to the Lassies
This humorous toast is designed to praise the role of women in the world today. It’s usually in a positive note and is done with selective quotes from Burn’s work. It’s usually followed by…
Reply from the Lassies
Delivered in a witty, charming manner, its savaging of men present is usually accepted in good humour.
Ceilidh Dancing
This is my favourite part. Live traditional music and everyone gathering on the floor to dance. It’s a country dance in essence, involving a partner and group dances. This is so much and I encourage you, if you can, to have a Ceilidh instructor teach the basics on the evening, so your guests can familarise themselves. It’s such good fun and if guests feel nervous, then that is why it’s handy to have liquid courage on the tables.
Closing Remarks
When the festivities come to an end, the host should thank the guests. A few remarks and a final toast should be made by one of the celebrants, as a way to give thanks to the host.
Auld Lang Syne
The traditional ending to a Burns Night. It’s handy to have the correct lyrics printed out for the guests, and we sing together as we have enjoyed a wonderful evening, in the company of good friends.
There we have it - your guide to a successful Burns Supper! It’s packed with art, music, good food and even greater company. No matter the size of your gathering, honouring one of the greatest poets to have lived is a beautiful way to conclude the month of January.
Slàinte Mhath!
Wait - What do I wear for Burns Night?!
Tartan clothing is the typical attire for Burns Supper.
Men - The traditional outfit is a kilt in the family’s tartan. You could wear this with a tweed jacket or go full black-tie with the kilt, it depends on the formality of your Burns Supper. Tartan trousers with a smart shirt, paired with a tartan waistcoat and/or bowtie is also perfectly suitable.
Women - A kilted skirt with a blouse and tartan sash or brooch is a traditional option. Tartan dresses or jackets are another great nod to tradition. Accessories like a tartan handbag or shoes can be a subtle touch as well.
