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Organising a Burns Supper
The Scottish tradition of the Burns Supper celebrates the life of the gregarious, romantic and sharp-tongued Ayrshire bard Robert Burns. Born on 25 January 1759 to farm labourers, Burns spent most of his life working the land and charming the ladies. But it was his passionate and beautiful songs and poems that granted the ‘Scottish Bard’ his immortality.
Today, Scots all over the world come together on Burns’ birthday to drink whisky, eat haggis, recite poetry and sing a few songs. Thankfully, the days when women were banned from Burns Suppers – and had to organise ‘lassies only’ events – are over, and many of the other ‘rules’ governing the supper can also be ignored. So, there’s nothing stopping you getting some friends around, opening a bottle of whisky and holding your own scaled-down Burns Night.
Bill o’ fare
The traditional Burns Supper can be divided up into three main sections:
- Food (including the Address to the Haggis)
- The ‘Immortal Memory’ (a speech, usually fun, witty and making some reference to Burns and his life and work)
- Various songs, readings and music to end the night
This traditional order of events is known as the Bill o’ Fare, which you should follow for a traditional Burns Supper.
As for dress, the top table are traditionally expected to be turned out in full evening wear (preferably Highland), although asking your guests to wear a bit of tartan is fine. Technically, you also need a bagpiper on hand to pipe in the haggis, but a fiddler will do if you can’t find a sober piper on 25th January (or you could just buy a CD of bagpipe or fiddle music), and don’t forget the couple of bottles of whisky.
Over the page: A Burns Supper step-by-step
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