Five years after the death of Robert Burns, the first Burns supper was held in his birthplace, Alloway. In July 1801, haggis and sheep’s head were served while a group of the poet’s close friends read his works aloud. Over 200 years later, this celebration of Burns’ life has endured and morphed into a mid-winter tradition of pipe music, poetry and puddings, alongside a hearty helping of haggis, neeps and tatties.
The celebrations aren’t limited to Scotland. Across the UK, restaurants, hotels, pubs and halls breathe some much-needed warmth and life into blustery January evenings with ceilidh dances, haggis piped in and live poetry readings, all to honour one of Scotland’s most famous sons.
Here’s where to experience fine Scottish fare, thumping folk music and lyrical poetry on Burns Night this January.
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Edinburgh
An after-hours ceilidh at the National Museum of Scotland
Part of the National Museum of Scotland’s ‘Museum Lates’ programme, a huge Burns Night ceilidh will see the museum’s main hall once again buzz to life with hundreds of dancers. The Jacobites Ceilidh Band will be thumping out fast and frenzied traditional tunes while a caller talks through the steps for the Dashing White Sergeant and Strip the Willow. What’s more, you can have a nosy at the collections of Scotland’s biggest museum after hours, perhaps taking in Burns’ traditional chanter hewn from bone or a letter penned by his hand.
24 January, 7.30pm; £20
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Dinner fit for a queen at Royal Yacht Britannia
The lilting wail of bagpipes will welcome diners aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia this Burns Night. On 24th January, the yacht’s butlers will serve a gourmet five-course meal in the grand State Room, where Queen Elizabeth II once dined at sea. The meal will be accompanied by a traditional Scots storyteller, folk music and the address to the haggis before a wee dram of Scottish single malt is served in the Drawing Room. Usually only open as a museum, this is a rare opportunity to experience the…
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