What is Burns Night?

On the 25th January, Scotland and many with Scots heritage will gather together to enjoy Burns Night. Usually that takes the form of a meal known as a Burns Supper. The rest of the world are probably shrugging their shoulders and asking “What is Burns Night?”

This is a key date in the Scottish calendar. Somewhere between the more low key Saint Andrew’s Day and the bonanza that is Hogmanay. Put simply, it’s a night to remember Scotland’s best loved poet, Robert Burns and has become a celebration of all things Scottish.

It’s a good excuse for a party during the bleak January evenings, but really celebrating Burns Night is much more than that. You can take it easy and just eat, drink and read some poems or you can follow every step for a big, traditional celebration. Read on to find the answer to What is Burns Night and hopefully get prepared for your very own celebration.

Who is Robert Burns?

The obvious first question is “who actually is Robert Burns and why does anybody celebrate him?” Burns was born on January 25th 1759, the son of a tenant farmer from Ayrshire. He followed his father into the farming life but his heart was never in it. Burns would much rather spend his time composing songs or poetry, while chatting up the local girls. Fortunately for him, after releasing a collection of poems to raise some money, he became an overnight success.

Robert Burns wrote in the Scots tongue at a time when the language was being oppressed and his work spoke to everyday people. He covered topics like farming, folklore, whisky, political commentaries and of course love. People connected with this regular character in a way that a classically trained poet never could.

While Burns wrote some great love songs like Red Red Rose and Ae Fond Kiss, I’m not sure we can call him a romantic. His childhood poems were apparently written to impress girls and that’s something he never grew out of. It’s well known that he fathered plenty of illegitimate children while his long suffering wife Jean was waiting back home.

Tragically, Robert Burns died in Dumfries at just 37 years old and almost penniless. He had been entertained by the rich and powerful during his life, but his family were still left financially struggling. Even though he was gone, the poet’s legacy lived on, inspiring people around the world, especially through the celebration of Burns Suppers.

What is Burns Night?

So just exactly what is Burns Night and what makes it different to any other party? Five years after Burns died, the Mother Club was formed by his friends to remember the bard. Their first Burns Night was a dinner in July, on the anniversary of Burns’ death before they decided to move it to his birthday in January the next year.

Any celebration of Robert Burns on the 25th January can be classed as a Burns Night. I’m not going to tell people how they should or shouldn’t enjoy their evenings! However, many insist on following the same format every year and for me, that’s part of the fun.

Selkirk Grace

The first part of your Burns Night is known as the Selkirk Grace. This is a short prayer, said at many Scottish gatherings and my personal choice if I’m ever put on the spot. It’s often assumed that Burns wrote it but he just popularised it during a dinner with the Earl of Selkirk. That’s where the name comes from.

The Selkirk Grace is short and sweet and it goes like this:

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!

Address Tae The Haggis

Now it’s time for what many people see as the main event of a Burns Supper. It’s time for the haggis!

Traditionally, there is a large amount of pomp and ceremony around the haggis and it’s treated with the utmost respect. Back in Robert Burns day, this was a cheap dish for the lower classes of society. During dinner with friends, Burns came up with an off the cuff, sarcastic poem about how great the haggis was. Later he decided to turn it into a full length piece.

Firstly, a piper will play while the haggis is carried into the room like a royal procession. Next, somebody will recite the poem “Tae a Haggis” and you can find the full lyrics along with a translation here. It should be eaten with neeps (mashed turnip) and tatties (mashed potatoes). If you’re feeling fancy then a whisky cream sauce wouldn’t be a bad idea!

The poem is very tongue in cheek and supposed to be told in an overly dramatic way. There should be knife waving, exaggerated gestures and emphasised expressions. If you want an idea of how to pronounce the words or what it should look like then click on the video below. I had to make do with a deep fried haggis for that online Burns evening.

Immortal Memory

Once everybody has stuffed their face, it’s back to the Burns Night running order. It’s time for what is known as the Immortal Memory which is exactly what it sounds like. This is a speech, roughly 15 minutes long and often given by a guest of honour, really to remind everybody what Burns Night is all about.

The Immortal Memory will talk about the life of Robert Burns, often include a few snippets of his poetry and some jokes. Keeping things upbeat and lighthearted is important but so actually remembering the poet and why everybody is there. After all, what is Burns Night without Burns himself?

There should be some kind of lesson or memorable message to convey. This isn’t a lecture but if you’re giving the speech then find an interesting angle. It can be any interest of Robert Burns life or works that really connected with you. In the end, you want your Immortal Memory to be memorable.

Toast to the Lassies & Reply to the Laddies

This is the chance to emulate Burns himself and show off your public speaking skills, whilst also having a bit of fun. First off, one of the gentlemen will give a Toast to the Lassies. It’s traditionally supposed to be in good humour and tease the girls. What it definitely should not be is a misogynistic barrage of dirty jokes. It should always end with some flattering compliments, after all you’re toasting not roasting the lassies!

One of the girls then gets a chance to reply to the laddies. Here is the chance for the lassies to get their own back and this toast often tears chunks out the boys. Usually, whoever is giving this speech gets a chance to see the Toast to the Lassies that they are replying to. That makes sure that the two speeches compliment each other….and it also gives the lassie an advantage.

The most important thing to remember is that your toasts should still relate to Robert Burns. You don’t have to actually write a poem but including a few lines from Burns work would go down well. Stick to a few minutes at most each, keep it short, sweet and fun!

Poetry and a Dance!

Amongst all of the meals, speeches and toasts there are plenty of opportunities for poetry and dance. The work of Burns should be front and centre so make time to work for your supper! A few people will normally have been chosen before hand to memorise and recite some Burns poems. There are plenty of them to choose from!

If you’re struggling to choose from the enormous list of both poems and songs, then here are some of my person favourites:

• To a Mouse
• Scots Wha Hae
• A Man’s a Man For a’ That
• Red Red Rose

Auld Lang Syne

Like many Scottish celebrations, Burns Night is closed out with a group rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Robert Burns wrote this work of art by adapting words from an older song then putting it to an already popular tune. It’s the perfect example of Robert Burns’ long standing and far reaching influence, with the song being sung all over the world at New Year.

Hopefully know you’re well clued up on what Burns Night is now. Let me know if you’re hosting your own Burns Supper and more importantly, how it went!

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