Burns Night Supper Overview
- Origin: Learn about the origins of Burns Night and its significance.
- Celebration: Discover how to celebrate Burns Night with traditional customs.
- Hosting: Get tips for hosting a successful Burns supper with friends and family.
A Burns Night, along with the works of Burns, is a cherished cultural event, a tradition I embraced during my academic years at St. Andrews, Scotland. Furthermore, the entire Fife region is absolutely picturesque, which undoubtedly contributed to my admiration for it.
This occasion is celebrated with enthusiasm and reverence throughout Scotland and, more recently, in locations beyond its borders across the UK and globally.
It presents a unique opportunity to host a splendid dinner gathering, indulge in exceptional wines, Scotch whisky, and relish the captivating poetry that Robert Burns bequeathed to the world.
Burns Night: The Poetry
You might recognize Burns from the traditional singing often heard on New Year’s Day, specifically his renowned poem “Auld Lang Syne,” penned over 250 years ago, which has become a globally cherished piece.
Burns Night: Historical Origins
Following the death of Burns in 1796, his friends organized a commemoration dinner, during which guests recited his poignant poems, enjoyed generous servings of “haggis, neeps, and tatties,” and partook in spirited revelry.
Today, individuals across the globe gather for suppers to honor his legacy on his birthday, January 25th.
Burns Night: How to Observe
A delightful way to honor the works of Robert Burns is to organize your own “Burns Supper.” Regardless of whether you are in Scotland or anywhere else in the world, it is an opportunity to embrace this beautiful Scottish tradition and appreciate Burns’ poetic genius.
Burns Night: Preparation Steps
1.) Acquire a collection of Burns’ poetry. These books are generally affordable and available at most bookstores. I found mine at a local thrift shop for a minimal amount—around 50p. While I personally prefer a physical edition for the supper, if you cannot locate one, consider gathering your favorite poems online.
2.) Assemble a group of friends and family, particularly those who will not criticize excessive indulgence in Scotch whisky or wine! It is advantageous if you have someone who can play the bagpipes.
If you do not, you can easily find their music on platforms like YouTube or various music streaming services.
3.) Share the poetry book or the links with your invited guests. Request that they select 2-3 poems that resonate with them personally.
4.) Prepare fitting cuisine. A true Burns Night Supper is incomplete without delightful food, specifically the tradition of enjoying boiled and mashed “neeps & tatties” (potatoes and turnips) alongside Haggis, a dish still cherished in Scotland.
Finding Haggis outside of Scotland can be challenging; alternatively, combine minced beef or lamb with garlic, onions, thyme, and oats, and enclose them in filo pastry to replicate the “Haggis sack.” Here is an exemplary recipe.
5.) As you keep the drinks—wines, ports, and single malt whiskies—flowing, feel free to recite some of the chosen poetry. If you successfully prepared Haggis, delivering the iconic “Address to a Haggis” speech is a must before anyone takes a bite! Some phrases can be difficult to pronounce (I certainly experience that)—but that is part of the enjoyment, particularly after a few glasses of whisky!
Burns Poem: Address to a Haggis
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!
Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
‘Bethankit’ hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect scunner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis
