written by team member Maddy
Whether you are looking at attending an event or want to try your hand at hosting yourself, we have compiled a handy guide to help.
Why is Burns Night Celebrated?
Burns Night celebrates the life and work of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, the most famous poet and lyricist to come from Scotland. The tradition started with his friends hosting a memorial dinner several years after his death. The tradition has evolved over the years and is now celebrated on his birthday – 25th of January. There are several different aspects to Burns Night and depending on your host the formality of the evening will vary.
The Evening
Traditionally it begins with a piper to welcome guests (less likely at home celebrations).
The Hosts Welcome Speech – Introduces guests to the event and will often include a reading of a poem by Rabbie Burns.
Soup Course– soup is traditionally served to start, either a traditional Scottish soup like Scotch Broth or cock-a-leekie. Less traditionally whatever soup you fancy.
Scotch Broth pairs with F.Pinon Vouvray Sec from France
Cock-a-leekie with Schlumberger Pinot Gris from France
Piping of the Haggis – the haggis is brought out, traditionally accompanied by a bagpiper.
Address to a Haggis – a poem that was written by Rabbie Burns himself, depending on the reader it can be more jovial, or it can be serious. During the reading of the poem the reader will draw a blade and slice the haggis open.
Haggis is available to purchase locally through Trendalls Butchers – please contact.
Haggis Course – it’s not a Burns Supper without haggis, normally served with neeps and tatties (swede and potatoes). It can be served as a separate course before the main or alongside the main course.
Main Course – the usual choice is a hearty steak pie, which can also be served with the neeps and tatties. The choice comes down to the host and people’s preferences. Or you can just serve a larger portion of haggis to be enjoyed as the main!
Our top picks to pair with Haggis:
Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Shiraz, Australia
Guillaume Gonnet Lirac, France
To pair with steak pie:
Los Vascos Cromas Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile
or Rioja
Dessert – for me it’s not Burns Night without a healthy sized portion of cranachan, although others may choose to have Clootie Dumplings or Tispy Laird, or anything that takes their fancy. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, then cheese and oat cakes is also a good finisher.
Speeches
If you are attending a Burns Supper you can expect there to be several speeches after dinner, depending on where you go the length and tone may be vastly different but there are three speeches that generally take place during the evening.
The Immortal Memory: a toast to Rabbie Burns, celebrating and talking about his life and influence. Often poems or extracts of his work will be read
Toast to the Lassies: a toast made to the women attending the event, often as way of thanking them for preparing the food. Finishes with raising a glass to their health.
Reply from the Lassies: done in response to the previous toast, often the two will be written together so they can complement one another. Finished with raising a glass to the laddies health.
Toasts are followed by music, and as the night draws to an end we close with Auld Lang Syne.
If you are interested in attending a local dinner, check these out:
Kings Arms Polebrook
The Star Inn Geddington
The Falcon Inn Fotheringhay
What Amps are doing:
On Saturday the 25th we will be hosting an instore tasting at our Market Place shop with some of our recommended wines to try, as well as several whiskeys. We are also providing nibbles from local café, The Lemon Tree between 12-3pm.
Shop our full range of Whisky here.
