Burn's Night

Robert Burns (1759 - 1796) - one of Scotland’s Heroes. He’s actually commonly known as the National Poet of Scotland, and wrote at least 650 poems and songs in old-scots.

Naturally, some are better-known than others, such as Auld Lang Syne (normally sung at New Years, and, of course, Last Night of the Proms), and who could forget the classic that is To a Mouse?

Regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, he went on to become a source of inspiration for both the Liberalism and Socialism movements, before, in more recent years, narrowly beating William Wallace to be voted as the Greatest Scot in 2009 on the Scottish television channel STV.

And so, it is this man, a Great Pioneer, that is celebrated today around the world. The traditional celebration begins with a general welcome and announcements, followed swiftly by the Selkirk Grace (said to have been delivered by Robert Burns to the Earl of Selkirk at St. Mary’s Isle Priory):

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat,

Sae let the Lord be thankit.

This is followed by the piping and cutting of the Haggis, while Burns’ ‘Address to a Haggis’ is read. It is customary to begin eating just after the Haggis is presented.

After the meal come the toasts, including a ‘Toast to the Lassies’ and the replies. Finally, the toast to ‘The Immortal Memory’ is given - this is an overview of Burns’ life and work.

To conclude, the party would sing Auld Lang Syne.