Burns Night

Burns Night is celebrated by Burns suppers, evenings celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns. These are done all over the country in formal settings, for example if you're a member of an association or society, and simply at home with family and friends!

A formal Burns supper typically follows an order. This begins with a bagpiper, also known as a piper, who plays while the guests arrive. Burns' poems and songs are recited throughout the evening; for example the "Address to a Haggis" as the haggis is presented, often accompanied by more piping, and followed by a whisky toast before enjoying the meal. The meal often ends with everyone coming together to sing "Auld Lang Syne", a traditional Scottish song which signifies a farewell or end and is one of Burns' most well-known works, being sung all over the world.

All the courses are Scottish dishes which can vary from household to household. The starter tends to be soup, for example Scotch broth, cullen skink or cock-a-leekie, while the dessert is often a cranachan. And of course, we can't forget the accompaniments to the main meal - neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes)! Finally, cheese and oatcakes are washed down with none other than whisky.

In Scotland Robert Burns is celebrated from early childhood. At primary school children study his poetry and recite ones that they learn, with the ones who perform the best even going onto local and national competitions.

In his lifetime, he wrote hundreds of poems and songs. Most of these were written in the Scots dialect, with some in English as well. He was a major influence on the Romantic movement that originated towards the end of the 18th century in Europe and still has a strong impact on Scottish literature today.

In a vote put forward to the Scottish public by STV, the Scottish television channel, in 2009, he was voted the greatest Scot.