One of Scotland's most important holidays is upon us! Burns Night! Also known as 'Burns supper' and 'Burns Nicht', is the celebration of Scotlands most famous bard (Poet) and Scotland itself.
WHO WAS RABBIE BURNS?
Robert (Rabbie) Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759 on the 25th of January (hence the date of celebration). He was the first child of Farmers William Burns and Agnes Broun (Brown). He was the eldest child of seven! As Rabbie was the eldest he was expected to take on the family business of farming and worked hard from an early age with his father who also taught him and the other children how to read and write (something that was rare to poverty stricken households like Burns'). He was also taught by a John Murdoch through his family Parish before being sent to a Parish school while still helping his father on the family farm.
While working as a principle labourer he wrote his first ever poem at the age of 15 called 'O, Once I Luv'd a Bonnie Lass' which is also known as 'Handsome Nell'. From this point on Rabbie's love of poetry and lyrics became a passionate pass-time that spiralled into popularity of not only local Scots, but many worldwide even during his short life. Because of this, he became a cultural symbol of Scotland due to many of his poems being written in the original Scots language, and is known as a pioneer for the romantic movement after his time.
WHY IS BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATED?
'Burns supper' or 'Rabbie Burns day' is celebrated on or around January 25th each year to commemorate the life and works of Robert Burns (above) and Scottish Culture.
HOW TO CELEBRATE BURNS NIGHT LIKE A SCOT.
Below is everything you need to celebrate Rabbie Burns Night wherever you are in the world!
PLAN YOUR MEAL
The meal is the main event of a Burns Supper (after all, that's what supper means). A traditional Scottish Burns supper is a whole event, and has ceremonial traditions. But first you must plan your meal whether you are celebrating by yourself or with guests.
A formal ceremony has a Starter, Main, and dessert but you may just have a main if you're celebrating by yourself or its a casual celebration. Whatever you decide, Haggis is the centrepiece of the meal. (You might have to make your own or do a bit of researching to find somewhere that sells haggis if you live in a place like the United States).
Traditional Burns menu.
You can download the template for the above menu and edit the menu options here. Below are all the recipes for the listed dishes.
STARTERS
Here are a few traditional Scottish starter recipes for Burns Supper.
This hearty broth like soup is made from Chicken, leaks, carrots and celery.
Click here for the recipe.
This tasty broth barley soup is made with Winter veg and grains such as Barley, Carrots, Onions, Leeks, Neeps (turnips), cabbage and a meat of your choice (beef, lamb, chicken).
Click here for the recipe.
This warm and creamy soup is a fishy favourite in Scotland. Its made from Mashed Potato, Smoked Haddock, Milk, onion, and parsley for garnish. Served with a crusty bread like a bannock (see below).
Click here for the recipe.
Bannocks are a type of traditional Scottish Soda bread that is cooked on a skillet (or frying pan) This bread goes well with the soups listed above.
Click here for the recipe.
MAIN
Below is the traditional main eaten on Burns Night. But any dish with the main ingredient being Haggis is acceptable on a Burns night.
Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties.
Scotland's traditional dish. Haggis being the star of the show. In Scotland, Haggis is extremely easy to find, its everywhere. But outside of Scotland it's a lot harder to find, and it's banned from being important in some countries! Saying that, some Scots make and sell haggis in countries in the United States so, you may be able to find ready made Haggis. If not, here is how you make a simplified Haggis. You can also buy/make vegetarian haggis. If you're gluten intolerant you can make either recipe with gluten free oats.
Once you've found / made your haggis it's time to make the Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties dish. Traditionally they are just placed together like in the photo above and served with a whisky cream that you can pour over them. But it's up to you how you wish to present your dish; you could layer them on top of each other like this recipe here.
DESSERTS
Scotland has some very original desserts. These are the desserts traditionally eaten on Burns Night.
Almost like a Christmas pudding, clootie dumpling is made from dried fruit, spices, oatmeal and boiled in a cloth called a cloot. The cake is usually served warm with whisky infused Cream or Custard. Here's a lovely Clootie Dumpling recipe here. Don't worry, it tastes better than it looks!
This Scottish trifle is a favourite of many. Made with Scottish raspberries and a perfect end to a perfect meal. Why's it called the Tipsy Laird? Well it's because it's made with Whisky, and since most of the other dishes and drinks during your burns night meal is Whisky by now you will have at least one Tipsy Laird on your hands! To get the recipe click here.
Cranachan.
A belter of a dessert and personally my favourite is Cranachan. This easy dessert is made up of Raspberries, Toasted oats, Whisky (or rum) and honey. To get a good recipe click here.
Scotland loves it's cheese. It's one of the nicest things to eat Scottish oatcakes with. Head to your local deli/vegan dairy supplier and look for some Scottish inspired cheeses such as Crowdie, Strong cheddars, and blue cheese. For a list of Scottish cheeses click here. Purchase your favourite oatcakes or make your own here to go along with them.
TRADITIONAL BURNS NIGHT DRINK
After Burns died on the 21st of July 1796 at the young age of 37, a group of friends and fans of his gathered to honour and celebrate Burns on his birthday. While they recited some of their favourite poems written by their bard, it is said that many a drink of whisky was consumed well into the night. Below we've made a list of some of the Whiskies that may be available for your Burns Supper...
ADDRESSING THE HAGGIS
A big part of celebrating Burns Night is it's ceremonial traditions such as 'Addressing the Haggis'. This happens before the meal where guests stand as the haggis is brought to a table (usually in the accompaniment of bagpipes playing) and the Rabbie Burns' poem 'Address to a Hagis' is read over it after being placed on a ceremonial table. After the 8 verses are read the Haggis is then taken to the kitchen to be cooked and used in the upcoming meal.
ENTERTAINMENT AND PADGEANTRY
Grab your gifts from our previous Scot Box featuring the town of Alloway (Rabbie Burns' birthplace) to help you celebrate. If you missed out on this box then you're in luck, because of it's popularity you can still grab one here for future celebrating!
In it find our little book of Robert Burns poetry to recite and discuss around the table while wearing or using your Burns tartan handkerchief. Need a centrepiece for your table? Then place your Robert Burns 'The Hills of the Highlands forever I love' print for all to see!
For background noise play some traditional Scottish music or Rabbie Burns lyrics to music as you eat, drink, and relax. Go one step further and hire a Scottish bagpipe player for the whole evening, great for ceremonial atmosphere when piping the Haggis in and out of the room along with guests!
Most of all, use this day to learn about Robert Burns and Scottish poetry, as this is really what it's all about. Enjoying oneself. Let us know how you get on by tagging us in your social media posts and using the hashtags #AllRoadsLeadToScotland #BonnieBoxes #TheScotBox
Slange Var!
Comments