Scots everywhere celebrate Burns Night but the tradition is spreading around the world. Even English "sassenachs" south of the border will raise a dram to Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous son, on Burns Night (January 25).
Plan a Burns Night Party
Burns Night is traditionally dedicated to celebrating the life and work of Scotland's national poet. Most people will be familiar with his work because he composed the famous New Year's Eve anthem "Auld Lang Syne".
Robert Burns died on July 21, 1796 at the youthful age of 37, and just eight years after composing "Auld Lang Syne", his best-known piece.
A Burns supper can range from a very formal dinner, which includes a toast and readings of the Scottish bard's works. The centrepiece of any Burns supper is the main dish, Haggis, which by tradition should brought in on a silver serving platter by the chef, a piper and the official who will address the dish.
Although there will always be a place for tasty haggis and the formal Burns supper, many people choose to celebrate Burns night with a big, informal party for family and friends. January is usually such a dark, cold month that any excuse to liven it up is welcome.
How to Organise a Burns Night Party
Burns Night falls on 25 January so arrange the party for the nearest weekend to that date.
Insist that all guests, women and men, wear the traditional Scottish kilt. Failing that, make them at least incorporate a swathe of tartan in their party outfit.
Serve plenty of Scottish drink. Scotch whisky is the obvious choice but liven it up and make it a bit more cosmopolitan with some fun and highly intoxicating whisky cocktails. The Scottish Whisky association recommends these party drinks:
- The Bobby Burns, a delicious combination of whisky, Vermouth and Benedictine.
- Auld Alliance, a zingy blend of whisky and cointreau with a hint of lemon.
- Bitter 'N Twisted, a relaxing mix of whisky, ginger ale and Angostura bitters.
For those stuck on soft drinks, serve the traditional Scottish fizzy drink Irn Bru (which outsells Coca Cola in Scotland).
Burns Night Party Food
Burns Night Party food must include Haggis. Why not include a full haggis that you can serve in bite-sized portions along with tasty dollops of tatty (potatoes) and neep (mashed turnip or sweded) served on cocktail blinis.
To give your Burns Night party music a Scottish theme, why not play "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight. Scotland has produced some brilliant bands and musicians over the years from Deacon Blue and The Waterboys to The Wake and We Were Promised Jetpacks.
Sources
Scottish Whisky Association: Scottish Whisky Cocktails (Accessed January 19, 2011)
Adrian Grahams - Adrian currently writes for several online and offline publications and specializes in communications, technology, business, media, ...
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