HOME BABYNAMES BOOKS CELEBRATIONS COLOURING PICTURES MOVIES PARENTING PRINTABLES SHOP TRAVEL
Image Credit: Firkin
For the people of Scotland, and anyone of Scottish heritage Burns Night, held on or around 25th January each year is one of the most important (and fun!) events of the year. The day celebrates the Poems and Songs of Robert Burns, who was also often called Rabbie Burns, with a celebration meal and festivities that includes poetry reading and singing.
Having your own Burn's Night Supper would be a lovely way to celebrate and adding a bit of Scottish fun to your day is a fantastic thing to do in the cold, grey depths of January.
Who Was Rabbie Burns?
Burns was thought to have been born on 25th January 1759, the son of a farmer. He tried to follow his father into a career in farming but his literary talent and political tendencies soon began to show.
He wrote much of his best work whilst still farming, the publication of his first book brought enough money for him to move to Edinburgh and to produce a second book of poetry. The income from this and a job as a tax collector allowed him to marry and settle down.
He continued to write over 200 songs, the best known of which is ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and poetry, most famously ‘Tam O’Shanter’. He died in 1796 and is revered as a national poet of Scotland.
How To Host A Burns Night Supper
A traditional celebration of Burns Night consists of a special meal called a Burns Night Supper along with readings of his works, however if you want to include your children you probably won't offer them the traditional whisky toast!
The meal should of course be of Haggis. In case you don’t know, haggis is a kind of sausage made from a sheep’s heart, liver and lungs. This should be served with Neeps and Tatties (potatoes and mashed swede).
If you can’t face haggis, then you could still have the traditional starter of co*ck-A-Leekie soup or some traditional deserts such as Clootie Dumpling (a pudding prepared in a linen cloth or cloot) or Typsy Laird (a Scottish sherry trifle)
The meal can be informal or formal; a formal meal includes much ceremonial poetry reading, whisky drinking and bagpipe playing. An informal meal can be exactly what you want it to be.
More About Robert Burns and Burns Night
Here are some more information, recipes, Burns Night activities and the poetry of the great man himself.
- Burns Night Information from BBC Scotland. Everything you need to know to become an instant expert on celebrating Burns Night. You can also read Burns' works on the site, but sadly the links to hear them read by the cream of Scotland's talent including Robert Carlyle, John Gordon Sinclair, Annette Crosbie, Clare Grogan, Denis Lawson, Douglas Henshall and Midge Ure amongst others no longer work.
- How to Organise a Burns Night Supper from Rampant Scotland, a huge site for enthusiasts of all things Scottish. This is a detailed explaination of how to organise your supper, exactly what to serve and how to secure the best speakers for your event.
- Burns Country is a website with information, his works, and you can even send a Robert Burns e-card. There is also lots of info on visiting Burns Country, and all the things that you can see.
- The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns is a digital book that you can download free for Kindle or if you have the Kindle app.
Burns Night Printables
- Burns Night Printables A wordsearch and anagrams for Burns night. You could include the puzzles as part of your celebrations.
- Burns Night Colouring Pictures some Burns Night colouring fun for the kids, including a bagpiper, a scottish flag and the bluebells of Scotland.
And by the way, if any Scotsman tries to tell you about a little furry animal called a haggis it’s a joke OK!
Have you ever fancied visiting the land of Rabbie Burns? Here are the best places and the most affordable ways to have a Family Holiday in Scotland.
More For Burns Night
- Scottish Themed Craft Activities For Kids
- Traditional Boys Scottish Names
- Traditional Girls Scottish Names
Recent Posts
Here's what's new on eParenting
- 2024's Most Exciting New Kids Movies
- The Most Accurate Ways To Find The Sex of Your Baby
