Burns Night

Burns Night, celebrated on January 25th, honors the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, born in 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire. Burns is celebrated for works including 'Auld Lang Syne,' sung around the world every New Year's Eve, and 'Tam o' Shanter,' and is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement in literature. The centerpiece of a traditional Burns Supper is haggis, a savory pudding of minced sheep offal, oatmeal, and spices, which is ceremonially piped into the room and addressed with Burns's own poem 'Address to a Haggis' before being cut open with a ceremonial knife. The evening typically follows a set order: a welcome, the Selkirk Grace, the haggis ceremony, a meal, toasts including the 'Immortal Memory' speech honoring Burns's life and work, further toasts to the lassies and a reply from the ladies, readings of his poetry, and closing with the whole company singing 'Auld Lang Syne.' Though rooted in Scotland, Burns Suppers are now held worldwide by Scottish societies, universities, and enthusiasts, making it one of the most globally celebrated national literary birthdays anywhere. Single malt Scotch whisky is the traditional accompaniment throughout.