How to Celebrate Burns Night in Scotland

Burns Night celebrations take place in Scotland every year on the 25th of January, the birthday of Scottish national poet Robert Burns. Burns's poetry reveals him as a fun-loving individual who enjoyed a drink, and this yearly celebration reflects this.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Haggis
• Whisky
• Neeps (Turnip)
• Tatties (Potatoes)
• Robert Burns’s poetry
• Piper

1. Say a few words in welcome before the “Selkirk Grace” is said.

2. Serve the first course, normally a traditional Scottish soup such as Scotch Broth or Cock-a-Leekie.

3. Instruct the guests to rise as the cook brings in the main course of haggis on a large platter. A piper walks before the haggis playing “A Man’s a Man for a’ That” on the bagpipes. Then an invited guest humorously recites the “Address to a Haggis." When the line “An' cut you up wi' ready slicht” is read, the cook dramatically cuts open the haggis.

4. Propose a whisky toast to the haggis before the rest of the meal is served. This will consist of mashed potatoes (tatties) and mashed turnip (neeps), often followed by coffee.

5. Propose a toast of loyalty to the health of the reigning monarch.

6. Ask one of the invited guests to plan a short, entertaining speech on the life or poetry of Robert Burns, known as Immortal Memory. Everyone should then drink a toast to Burns, and the host should thank the speaker for his words.

7. Arrange for a male guest to give a “Toast to the Lassies," a speech in which he gives his views on women in a humorous but non-offensive manner. All male guests should then drink to health of the women.

8. Arrange for a female guest to reply to the previous speech in the same vein. After the “Toast to the Laddies," the female guests should drink to the health of the men.

9. Call upon one of the guests to give a vote of thanks in closing. Then everyone stands, joins hands and sings “Auld Lang Syne."

Tips & Warnings

• The main course will often be followed by a traditional Scottish dessert such as oatcakes with cheese.
• More recitals of Burns’s poetry and ceilidh dancing can follow the “Toast to the Laddies," although this is not customary.
• Typically, tartan will be worn by those in attendance.
• You can purchase tasty vegetarian haggis, which will allow everyone to celebrate Burns night without breaking from tradition.

Resources

• Words to all poetry and songs