Burns Night

What is Burn’s Night?

Burns Night is a celebration of the life and poetry of Scottish poet Robert Burns who was the author of many Scots poems and usually comes in the form of a supper party.

Who Was Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796)

Robert Burns (also known as Rabbie Burns and Scotland's favourite son) was a Scottish poet and lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language although much of his writing is also in English and a "light" Scots dialect which is accessible to an audience beyond Scotland. His most famous poem was: Auld Lang Syne which was set to the tune of a traditional folk song at a later date.

The Supper

Suppers are normally held on or near Robert Burns birthday which is 25^th January and is sometimes known as Robert Burns Day or Burns Night (Burns Nicht) however these suppers can, in principle, be held at any time of the year.

Burns suppers are most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland although they also come about wherever there is a Burns Club / a Scottish Society / expatriate Scots or aficionados of Burns' poetry.

There is a very strong tradition of Burns suppers in the southern New Zealand city of Dunedin – this could be due to the fact that Burns' nephew Thomas Burns was a founding father of Dunedin.

The first supper was held in Ayrshire at the end of the 18th century by Robert Burns' friends on the anniversary of his death ~ 21^st July ~ “In Memoriam”

Burns suppers can be either formal or informal.

Informal Suppers

Informal suppers typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish), Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns' poetry.

Formal Dinners

Formal dinners are hosted by organisations such as Burns clubs, the Freemasons or St Andrews Societies and occasionally end with dancing when ladies are present. However whether they are single sex or not, the formal suppers follow a standard format which is as follows:

·         Start of the evening

·         Host's welcoming speech

·         The Selkirk Grace:

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae let the Lord be thankit

·         Entrance of the haggis – this involves everyone standing as the main course (the Haggis) is brought in on a large dish. A piper plays the bagpipes while leading the cook (usually) and Haggis to the host’s table at which point the host recites the: “Address to a Haggis”

·         There is a line in the Address His knife see rustic Labour dicht  where the speaker normally draws and cleans a knife and at the line An' cut you up wi' ready slicht, plunges the knife into the haggis and cuts it open from end to end. When done properly this "ceremony" is a highlight of the evening.

·         At the end of the poem a Scotch whiskey toast is proposed to the haggis and the guests sit down

·         The menu:

Main Course:

Haggis

Mashed potatoes (Tatties)

Mashed swede (Neeps)

Dessert Course:

Cranachan or Tipsy Laird (whiskey trifle)

Cheese Course:

Various cheeses and oatcakes

Coffee

All courses use traditional Scottish recipes and the meal is washed down with the: Water of Life – Scotch Whiskey

·         Speeches and toasts as follows:

Immortal memory

A guest gives a short speech about some aspect of Burns’ life or his poetry

Everyone drinks a toast to Robert Burns

Appreciation

The host says a few words / thanks the previous speaker / may comment on some points of the previous speakers speech

Toast to the Lassies (lassies – women)

The male speaker gives his views on women – this is usually amusing and not offensive which is a good thing as his speech is followed by a reply from the “lassies” concerned

The men drink a toast to the women’s health

Reply to the Toast to the Lassies

This is sometimes called the “toast to the Laddies”. A female guest gives her views on men and like the previous speech should be amusing and not offensive. The female guest will reply to any specific points raised by the male speaker. In many cases the two speakers giving these toasts will collaborate with each other so that the two toasts complement each other

Other Toasts and Speeches

Toasts to the locality or nation where the supper is being held is not unusual

Works by Burns

After the speeches songs by Burns may be sung and more poetry recited – this is done by either individual guests or invited experts. This will go on for as long as the guests wish and may also include other works by poets influenced by Burns – especially poets writing in Scots

Closing

Finally the host will ask one of the guests to give the vote of thanks and after this all the guests are asked to stand / join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne after which the evening comes to an end.

Enjoy your Burns Night - whatever you are doing :D 

Written by: Andria Owen