BURNS NIGHT
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Haggis + whisky + poetry = Burns Night…
Dust off your tartan, bust out the bagpipes, and work on your poetry recital - and don’t even think about forgetting the Saltire (national Scottish flag).
Here’s how to celebrate Burns Night…
Dust off your tartan, bust out the bagpipes, and work on your poetry recital - and don’t even think about forgetting the Saltire (national Scottish flag).
Here’s how to celebrate Burns Night…
The History
The National Bard, Ploughman Poet, Bard of Ayrshire… Robbie (Rabbie) Burns has more names than Gandalf.
Burns is Scotland’s national poet - and hero. He died at 37 but managed to squeeze in over 550 poems and songs before then. His work usually has some social commentary or a political edge to it.
In 1801 a group of his mates held a supper to mark the anniversary of his death. They read his poetry, had a meal, and performed speeches.
Now every year on January 25th the whole of Scotland (and loadsa Europe) get in on the act.
Burns is Scotland’s national poet - and hero. He died at 37 but managed to squeeze in over 550 poems and songs before then. His work usually has some social commentary or a political edge to it.
In 1801 a group of his mates held a supper to mark the anniversary of his death. They read his poetry, had a meal, and performed speeches.
Now every year on January 25th the whole of Scotland (and loadsa Europe) get in on the act.
The Meal
Which damaged individual thought sheep’s heart, liver and lungs would be a good thing to eat? To be fair, mix these guys with some onion, oatmeal, suet, stock, and spices… nah, it’s still sheep organs.
Haggis is a massive part of Burns Night. Ozzly people eat it - with neeps (swede) and tatties (potato) - but people also toast the haggis… as if it was a new bride.
Every year someone at the gathering will read out Burns’ Address to a Haggis. Best bit? Burns describes haggis as the “great chieftain o the puddin'-race.”
A proper Burns Night celebrations will kick off with The Selkirk Grace:
“Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be Thankit!
Yeah, what he said.
Haggis is a massive part of Burns Night. Ozzly people eat it - with neeps (swede) and tatties (potato) - but people also toast the haggis… as if it was a new bride.
Every year someone at the gathering will read out Burns’ Address to a Haggis. Best bit? Burns describes haggis as the “great chieftain o the puddin'-race.”
A proper Burns Night celebrations will kick off with The Selkirk Grace:
“Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be Thankit!
Yeah, what he said.
The Drink
Lads, it’s whisky. And it’ll be just whisky.
Actually Burns wasn’t fussy... back in his day people knocked back anything from rum, brandy, and ale, to fancy old man drinks - yep looking at you, claret and port.
Basically as long as you’re smashing through the bevvies (or just as good on nothing) you’re doing Rabbie proud.
Actually Burns wasn’t fussy... back in his day people knocked back anything from rum, brandy, and ale, to fancy old man drinks - yep looking at you, claret and port.
Basically as long as you’re smashing through the bevvies (or just as good on nothing) you’re doing Rabbie proud.
The Event
Burns and Beyond have loadsa alt-Burns Night events. Their Culture Trail winds round Edinburgh’s new and old town - stopping in different venues for live music and performances from the likes of KT Tunstall.
Le Haggis is the cities burlesque take on Burns. Go for celtic rock harmonies, rhythmic tribal anthems, and all the nipple tassles.
Burns’ hometown of Ayr is putting on an aerial lightshow and ‘poetry path.’ Head down to the beach for a party fit for the bard.
Le Haggis is the cities burlesque take on Burns. Go for celtic rock harmonies, rhythmic tribal anthems, and all the nipple tassles.
Burns’ hometown of Ayr is putting on an aerial lightshow and ‘poetry path.’ Head down to the beach for a party fit for the bard.
