Burns night

Fair fa yer honest sonsie face, great chieftain o the puddin race. Neeps tatties and Haggis, plus a wee dram of finest Scotch whiskey to that great Scottish poet! have a great Burns night!

365: day 27 by Nick in exsilio, on Flickr

When: January 25th every year.
Where: Scotland, UK.

Burns night is a dinner celebration of the life and poetry of Scots poet Robert Burns. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet’s birthday. For many years this was on 29th January, until someone discovered that his birth date was in fact 25th January!

The supper menu typically includes the traditional Scottish haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) washed down with plenty of Scotch whisky.

Everyone stands as the haggis is brought in on a large dish by the cook, while a piper plays the bagpipes and leads the way to the host’s table, where the haggis is laid down. The host then recites a Burns poem to the Haggis and proposes a whisky toast to it. Then everybody can sit down and enjoy the meal during which further Burns poems are recited and there is further toasting with whiskey.

Have you been to Experienced Burns Night in Scotland yourself? If so, please tell us all about it! You can share your pics and videos on our facebook page too! Or if you just want to say hi, or leave a comment for any other reason, we’d love to hear from you.

Food & Drink

Eat haggis, neeps and tatties. Drink a fine single malt Scotch whiskey.

Travel to Scotland

Burns was born and grew up in a humble cottage in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. He also spent time in Edinburgh and other places around Scotland. Find out more about Burns related places to visit on the Bard’s website. Book flights and hotels with ebookers.com. You may need to search for flights and hotels separately.

Dates / venues may be subject to change or cancellation. Distances may be straight-line estimates. Please verify information before booking.

Enjoy your trip! And when you’re home we’d love you to come back and tell us all about it!