A night of celebration – Happy Birthday Burns

Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), the author of many Scots poems.  The suppers are normally held on or near the poet’s birthday, 25 January, commonly known as Burns Night – however, in principle, celebrations may be held at any other time of the year.

The first supper was held in memoriam at Burns Cottage by Burns’s friends, on 21 July 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death; it has been a regular occurrence ever since.  The first still extant Burns Club was founded in Greenock in 1801 by merchants who were born in Ayrshire, some of whom had known Burns. They held the first Burns supper on what they thought was his birthday, 29 January 1802, but in 1803, they discovered the Ayr parish records that noted his date of birth was actually 25 January 1759. Since then, suppers have been held on or about 25 January.

Burns suppers may be formal or informal, typically including the traditional haggis dish of haggis, neeps and tatties – piped into the room, followed by the Address to the Haggis – check out our previous blog for more information on this 3 legged friend!

Prior to having your Fare, make sure you say Grace.

Selkirk Grace

Some hae meat an canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae the Lord be thankit

Have a great Burns’ Night and share your stories, recipes and photos with us.

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