Beat the Blues with a Burns Nite Blow Out (even if you’re not Scottish)
Our guide to hosting a Burns Night Supper
Burns night is one of the biggest events in Scotland, which is a big deal for a nation who love to partake in a dram or two (or twenty). 25th January marks the birthday of Robert Burns, one of Scotland’s most famous poets. (Give me a wee minute while I try and think of another one….). The first Burns night supper was held by 9 of his friends to mark the 5th anniversary of his death and the events of that evening shaped the tradition we know today – Poetry, haggis piping, drinking whiskey and singing Auld Lang Syne. Somewhere along the line, Irn Bru got in on the act for those who had to go to work the next day and didn’t want alcohol, and then some clever person created Irn Bru cocktails just to tilt the keel back in the right direction.
The basic structure of a Burns Supper is as follows
1 – Selkirk Grace is said – Don’t check this with a spellchecker. It will blow up your phone.
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!
2 – The Haggis (starter) is piped in. If you are holding your supper in England it’s unlikely you know anyone who can play the Bagpipes. Here is an audio file from the British Library to use instead.
3 – The host reads the Burns poem – Address to a Haggis. Here are the instructions from the Scots (according to Wikipedia).
Durin Burns Nicht, abody staunds as the haggis is brocht in, fur usual on a muckle dish bi the chef whiles a bagpiper leads the wey tae the host’s table. The host, or aiblins a guest, will then recite the poem, slicing open the haggis at the richt moment.
4 – Everyone toasts the haggis. I’m not sure what the haggis achieved in its short life but hey – everyone deserves a little cheer now and then.
5 – Burns tributes begin – the first performance should be Immortal Memory.
6 – The evening ends with a rendition of Auld Lang Syne – to mark this as different to the New Years Eve cover version you’re probably used to hand out copies of the original manuscript. You will laugh your heads off when you read what you should have been singing all these years! Even more so when you try to sing it.
So, let’s get down to the actual planning. Making an event memorable takes a lot of planning and prep with a considerable dollop of creativity. That’s why we’ve started our series of posts on making every day a memorable event.
First, you’ll need to send out your invitations. Find out if your name has any Scottish roots – you never know, you might have an official tartan you can use. Check the list here. If you don’t have an official one, just scan the list for a name you like them ‘borrow’ that one. My sister is a Smith, so I’ll just use that. Or you could go with the official Irn Bru Tartan for a splash of colour
Other elements to include on your invites and decorations are thistles, sporrans, pheasants, a Celtic cross, lion rampant, a Celtic knot, bagpipes, Nessie, whiskey, westies or Scottish terriers, Unicorns and of course, the Saltire (The flag of St Andrew).
Next you need to decide on the menu.
Must stocks – Haggis (there are a lot of varieties – why not try your own version).
Whiskey – peaty of golden? Single malt or blend?
Food – Tatties and Neeps (turnips); Cullen Skink (smoked haddock soup) Cranachan (desert)
Here are our favourite suggestions from across the web.
Starters
Main Courses
Desserts and Treats
Leaving It To Others
If you don’t have time, space or an inclination to do things yourself, below are some of our favourite venues hosting burns night suppers this year. But you will need to be quick – most of the places we checked were already sold out as Burns Night in England gives St. Patricks Night a run for its money.
2. BlackFriars – Newcastle
3. The Assembly House – Norwich
4. Hogarths – Solihull
Our Final Thought
So, I’ve had a minute to think (ie Google) about Scottish poets and of course there are Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Thomas Campbell, who wrote Rule Britannia! Having worked for a Scottish company for 8 years I can attest to their superiority in throwing a party, so if you are going to plan an event this January, then you won’t go wrong by making it a Burns night spectacular.
Click here if you need help with any of your event planning – we love organising!
