A Very Happy Birthday Mr Burns

January 25th sees Scottish folk toast the life of Robert Burns. Born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759, Burns became known as a cultural icon throughout Scotland. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, inspired the founders of both liberalism and socialism and became renowned throughout the world for his poems and lyrics. In 2009 he was voted by the people of Scotland as the ‘Greatest Scot’. Among his many works possibly the widest known is Auld Lang Syne, sung to this very day throughout the world on the stroke of midnight on the first day of the new year.

For all Scots January 25th is a significant date in the calendar, one which has growing support to become a national holiday in Scotland. On this day people both in Scotland and around the globe celebrate his life, poems and songs with Burns Suppers at home and in clubs and societies everywhere.

The evening is filled with readings of his works, singing of his songs and that most Scottish of delicacies, the haggis. Rabbie Burns famously wrote a poem entitled Address To A Haggis (see below) and this is recited at every supper before the haggis is sliced and served accompanied by neeps (turnip) and tatties (potatoes).

To enjoy your own Burns Supper – all you need is a place to gather, plenty of haggis, neeps and tatties, a bunch of friends, a master of ceremonies, and good Scots Whisky to ward off the winter chill.  These ingredients will ensure the perfect recipe as you try to do justice to the great words and the spirit of Robbie Burns.

Ideally, everyone should bring along some of Rab’s poetry to read out or maybe a song to sing (there’s plenty on the Internet). In this way everyone gets involved and can take turns in amusing the other guests. It’s not hard to see why this tradition has been continued for so long with its combination of good food, good company and great entertainment.

Among Robbie Burns’ greatest works is the almost compulsory Selkirk Grace, a poem which thanks God for the food we are about to receive (with translation from the original Scots language).

Some have food and cannot eat,
And some would eat that lack it (food),
But we have food and we can eat,
So the Lord be thanked.

Celebrate with us at Kiltmakers and wish Mr Burns a very happy birthday!