A blog post for Burns Night
Once Christmas is over and the January blues are on us, you can always look forward to the 25th of January to enjoy a little (or large) glass of whisky, a song and a dance. Although Scots don't really need an excuse to enjoy a dram or a good time, it's still nice to have a night designated to it - or two, or three - depending on how well you want to celebrate!
Family affair
In my home, we often celebrate Burns Night as a family, cooking traditional haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), regardless of whether we are attending a Burns Supper or not. Haggis, neeps and tatties happens to be one of my favourite meals, and that's not just because I've been brought up eating it. There are other Scottish delicacies I would not thank you for, but this one, I really enjoy.
Popular to contrary belief, a haggis is NOT a bird that has one leg shorter than the other and stands on top of a hill. We normally buy ours from the local butcher and boil it up. I won't tell you what's in it because that might put you off trying it. You don't have to boil it, you can slice it and roast it in the oven but I find this makes for very greasy haggis and something which I would not recommend. Make sure you also try different kinds, they differ in taste. Some are more peppery than others. You can even get a vegetarian option!
For the neeps and tatties, where you buy them is down to your own personal preference but I try and buy local because the vegetables are always fresher and an awful lot tastier! You can also tell about your vegetables by the soil in which they are grown so be careful for what and where you buy.
Burns with buddies!
Celebrating Burns Night doesn't always have to be a family affair. It is also nice if you invite guests over to your house and host your very own Burns Supper. This is especially nice if you invite people who have never tried haggis before. I remember filling one poor woman's head with a whole lot of nonsense, telling her to 'watch out' and 'not to choke on the feathers' but if she did come across one, 'it was a sign of good luck.' It's a wonder the poor woman decided to try it after all! So maybe don't put your guests off their meal before they've even tried it, especially if what you're saying is a heap of nonsense 😀 I always encourage you have a little fun with them, though. 😉
If you are hosting a dinner party, it is a nice idea if you get a talented family friend or relative to pipe in your guests and once they are seated, you say the 'Selkirk Grace'.
'Some hae meat an canna eat, an some wad eat that want it.
But we hae meat an we can eat so let the Lord be thankit.'
If you are following a typical Burns Supper, you would then offer your guests a typical Scottish starter such as home-made Scotch Broth or Cock-a-leekie soup with oatcakes. Both are tasty and will warm you right up if the whisky hasn't done that already!
Addressing the haggis
Then it's time for the highlight of the night! The haggis! Traditionally, the chef - carrying it on a serving plate - is piped in and then a guest will address it. The address to the haggis is a verse which shows the great appreciation we have to the haggis! #WeLoveYouHaggis This is traditionally carried out by a male. However, anyone who is efficient at speaking in verse or can form relatively good expression, can do the job just as well. I've addressed a haggis before and it really is a tricky and lengthy piece of poetry. Following the address there is a toast to the haggis and it is then taken away to be plated up. If you are just at home 'addressing the haggis' is not usually customary but it's always a laugh if you do choose to do it. It sure does lighten the mood and entertains your guests if nothing else!
Dessert
Following the main, a typical Burns Night dessert is served in the shape of either a Raspberry Cranachan, a cheese board, shortbread or anything else which is deemed appropriate. Orkney Fudge cheesecake is always a winner or clootie dumpling for the traditionalists.
Attire and Entertainment
Burns Suppers are also the perfect opportunity to wear that wee tartan number that you have had hiding at the back of your wardrobe. I try and encourage everyone to wear something tartan on Burns Night but if you don't then it is not the end of the world. No-one is going to publicly shame you on the night if you turn up in a nice dress or shirt and tie. You could wear a nice thistle wrist corsage or button hole instead 😊
Setting some wild thistles in the middle as a table setting is also a nice idea if you are hosting a Burns Supper and make sure you organise some live music for your night. It doesn't have to be anything over the top - someone playing guitar, singing a Scots song or playing the fiddle will be perfect! Having some Scottish music in the background whilst you're dining also adds a little bit of atmosphere and you can always turn it up if you want to continue your dancing into the night with a Highland Schottische down the hallway 😊
Drink
The five letter word us Scots know a little too well! As you all may well know, a typical drink to have at a Burns Supper is whisky or uisge beatha 'the water of life' However, if you are hosting a family Burns Supper, you could always exchange this for Irn Bru for the young one's or those who would rather a soft drink. I have been told, however, Irn-Bru, is an acquired taste! *Although I will say, it is theee best known hangover cure there is. No word of a lie! Therefore, you can also have wines, ales or just plain water available to serve on the night. There is no hard and fast rules.
Ending the evening & speeches
Following a formal Burns Night, there are several toasts which take place after the meal. These include the 'Immortal memory' which is where a speaker will look at aspects of Robbie Burns life and work and may recite a piece of poetry. A toast is then made by everyone to the Immortal Memory of Rabbie Burns.
Other speeches include an Address to the lassies which is traditionally where a designated male guest would make a speech, thanking the women for preparing and cooking the haggis. Although nowadays, it is normally the male guests views on women. This is normally amusing but never offensive and ends in the men folk toasting to the ladies' health.
Do not fret, ladies, we do - however - get our chance to get them back! This is usually in the form of the 'reply from the lassies' or sometimes more humorously known as a 'toast to the laddies'. This is where it is the ladies turn to give their viewpoint on men and can also raise or answer any issues from the previous speech. It, like the toast to the lassies, is humorous but never offensive and also ends with a toast to the men.
If you are having a more informal meal with friends, these speeches are not compulsory unless you are entertaining a large gathering of folk who are keen to have a little bit of banter. You could always finish your night with some poetry, music, highland dancing or a rendition of Auld Lang Syne to bring the evening to a close.
Some of my favourite Scottish songs to include in your Burns Night celebrations;
Ae Fond Kiss
Caledonia
Highland Cathedral
Dark Island
Amazing Grace
So, whatever you are doing for Burns Night this year - whether you are just cooking dinner with family or you're attending a Burns Supper - I hope it's a good one and you get to sample a true taste of Scotland!
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Lots of love,
Lauren
xoxo
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