Robert Burns Night
Every 25th of January, Scotland celebrates Robert Burns night in honour of the famous Scottish poet. Families, friends, and even visitors who have never heard of Mr. Burns gather in homes and pubs for the traditional Burns Supper. Alongside St. Andrew’s Day, this is one of Scotland’s most cherished events.
The Origins of Burns Night
The first celebration of this particular ceremony took place in July 1801, when nine friends of Burns gathered to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death. Initially, the date was set for January 29, but it was later adjusted to January 25, after confirming that this was the exact day of his birth.
Currently, Burns Supper or Burns Night transcends Scotland’s borders, being celebrated in various countries. Interestingly, Robert Burns is the third (non-religious) historical figure with the most statues in the world, only after Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus. Additionally, he was declared the first national poet of the United States after its independence in 1776. More information about his history can be found at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.
Auld Lang Syne
Many people sing the acclaimed and surprisingly fun “Auld Lang Syne” during Burns Night in honor of the famous Scottish bard. Its translation would mean “for old times’ sake“; it celebrates old friendships cherished and great moments lived. Although it must be said that this song, considered an unofficial anthem in Scotland, is not the work of Robert Burns. It’s an ancient song that he rescued and wrote down on paper, lover of history that he was.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, it’s the third most performed song in the world, only behind “Happy Birthday” and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Click here to listen to it.
It’s also tradition to sing it in the first minutes of the Scottish New Year (Hogmanay), or in Times Square in New York, as shown in the movie Forrest Gump (see scene).
Auld Lang Syne (Circle of Unity)
It’s traditional to sing Auld Lang Syne forming a circle, crossing arms and holding hands with people on either side. This ritual also has Masonic roots, known as the “chain of union,” as we cannot forget that Robert Burns was a Mason.
Before learning more about how Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland, let’s learn a bit more about the man’s life and his immortal memory.
Who Was Robert Burns
His Childhood
Also known as “the National Bard” and more affectionately as “Rabbie Burns,” Robert Burnes (original surname) was born in 1759 on a very humble farm in the small town of Alloway (now converted into the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum), where he spent his childhood working his family’s land.
Just as Robert Louis Stevenson was influenced by the dark stories his nanny told him when he was little (which he put to good use to create his great literary works), Robert Burns had a similar experience with tales he was told about supernatural creatures when he was a child.
Much of these stories and tales were collected in Burns’s poems, and he captured this in his work “Tam O’Shanter.” There has been much speculation that this poem was the inspiration for creating Michael Jackson’s famous “Thriller” music video, as “the King of Pop” was a great admirer of the Scottish poet’s work.
The Legacy of Robert Burns and His Historical Impact
Robert Burns, born in the 18th century, is without a doubt the most beloved Scots-speaking poet in Scotland’s history. He was also considered “the most important Scot of all time” following a vote held in 2009. In this vote, he surpassed historical figures such as William Wallace, Robert The Bruce, Sir Walter Scott, and the illustrious Sir Alexander Fleming.
If you’re interested in learning about Robert’s life and work in depth, you can explore some objects related to him on the National Museum of Scotland‘s website or visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayr. From our blog, we also show you a complete guide to Edinburgh’s museums.
The Life and Work of the Poet
Robert Burns’s life is not similar to that of other illustrious figures who were born into wealthy families. Nearly illiterate in his childhood and with great economic difficulties, he became a self-taught poet who expressed his emotions about his daily life concerning love, friendship, fun, and, of course, social criticism.
Thanks to his interest in poetry and his gifts for perfecting versification, Burns didn’t remain anchored in what could have been simply “the hobby” of a peasant of the era, but rather it led him to achieve his first great success in 1786 after his publication of “Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect.”
Praised by everyone, both by country people and by rigorous Scottish critics, Robert Burns achieved fame in Scotland and his passage to posterity as one of the pioneers of Scottish romanticism.
Robert Burns had the ability to entertain his readers with his songs and poems, but also to reach their hearts. The poet was a source of inspiration for the founders of liberalism and socialism, as “the national bard” was considered a revolutionary, both for his ingenious social criticism and his commentaries in the political sphere.
Robert Burns, a Womanizer?
The poet’s life was a life of excess. He began writing his first poems in adolescence to seduce the opposite sex, and this is something he never lost sight of throughout his life.
It’s estimated that, today, there are nearly 900 people who are descendants of Robert Burns. There’s a saying that goes “you can’t throw a stone in the Ayrshire region without hitting a Burns relative.”
He had 12 children, several of whom were illegitimate, including one with the maid. As a curiosity, the famous fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger (Thomas Jacob Hilfiger) is a relative of Robert Burns, although it must also be said that it’s through his brother, Gilbert. Specifically, Tommy Hilfiger’s aunt is Gilbert Burns’s great-granddaughter.
The Death of the Legend
Robert Burns never said no to a good Scotch whisky, nor did whisky say no to Robert Burns. This passion for the distilled spirit produced in Scotland, along with other liquors of the era, caused his life to be consumed at an early age.
After one of his epic binges, the poet fell asleep in the middle of the road under crashing torrential rain. Robert Burns would die shortly after, at 37 years of age, from rheumatic fever.
The fading of withered leaves endures throughout autumn, and they don’t regenerate until the warm light of spring returns, replacing those that once disappeared. On the same day as Robert Burns’s funeral, his last child, Maxwell, was born.
Guide to Celebrating Burns Night
Scottish traditions at this event cannot be missed, and in fact, almost all are present; the only thing missing would be some good Highland Games.
First, we must dress for the occasion with our formal kilt. Once we’re uniformed, it’s time for the bagpipes to start playing (if we don’t have a piper on hand, we can always resort to playing background music, which is cheaper and somewhat more zen). Now yes, we’re ready to begin the celebration and remember Burns’s great works.
Protocol for the Dinner
In this section, we want to show you how to host or face your first Burns dinner in Scotland. As guests arrive at the table, we should stand and applaud them. At the moment when we’re all gathered, the host will give a brief welcome speech and begin to introduce each of the guests to the Burns dinner.
Before the dishes are served, the host says a few words recalling some aspects of Robert Burns’s life and then recites The Selkirk Grace. The Selkirk blessing is a very old prayer in Scots that was already recited long before Burns to bless food on special occasions. It takes that name because he himself recited it during a dinner with the Earl of Selkirk in 1794.
English Version
Some have meat and cannot eat,
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we have meat and we can eat,
So let the Lord be thankit.
Original Scots Version
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.
As a first course, cock-a-leekie will be served, a leek and chicken soup, or its famous scotch broth, Scottish broth. This last dish has many versions, but originally the broth was made with lamb’s neck, vegetables, and barley. Next comes the most anticipated moment of Burns Night, it’s time to present the traditional Scottish dish.
The diners stand up and the cook comes out while bagpipes play, carrying a silver tray with the main dish, haggis neeps and tatties, while the piper continues to liven up the triumphant entrance. Again, the host says a few words and after the brief speech takes care of reciting the famous ode to Haggis that Robert Burns composed.
I recommend playing this video which will be much more fun and will set the mood for the dinner much better.
Now the host will lift the tray and say: Gie her a haggis! Then the diners must applaud and toast with whisky. After this step, the haggis will be served accompanied with “neeps and tatties” (mashed potatoes and turnip) covering the plate with whisky sauce.
For dessert, shortbread will be served, traditional Scottish butter cookies that are deliciously addictive. And more whisky, please.
After the Burns dinner, Robert Burns’s poetry will continue to be recited, a good example is the famous poem “A Red, Red Rose.” To conclude the event, we’ll stand up and hold hands to sing, now yes, Auld Lang Syne, and then continue with traditional dances like the Ceilidh, the most entertaining part for the diners.
Recommendations for the Dinner
- Haggis: The quintessential Scottish dish is a meat pudding filled with sheep organs, oats, onion, and spices. Its appearance is similar to that of rice blood sausage, and it’s complicated to find outside of Scotland, although there are large supermarkets that sell it in their international products section.
There’s also a vegan version, and it’s delicious. If it’s very complicated for you to find it, you can substitute it with another food (we don’t recommend making it yourself). The important thing about all this is to continue keeping the traditions of this country alive.
- Drink: Beer, wine, and whisky are served. Robert Burns was not only a great lover of whisky, but also of beer. This is known by the Saracen’s Head pub in Glasgow which the poet left owing “a night of drinking.”
For more information about what whisky to have at Burns dinner, I recommend visiting our colleague Marcos’s page at Wdewhisky which is in Spanish. And if you’re planning to spend a few days vacationing in Edinburgh or Glasgow, we’ve attached our guide to whisky distilleries.
- Piper: optional.
Celebrate Burns Night Anywhere in the World
If you’re not in Scotland, you can also join the Burns Night tradition from anywhere in the world. It’s an excellent excuse to gather your friends and family after the Christmas festivities.
How to Prepare a Burns Dinner Outside of Scotland
The biggest challenge may be finding the star ingredient: haggis. Although it’s not an easy task, platforms like Amazon offer canned versions of this traditional dish. If it’s not to your liking, you can opt for some type of local blood sausage to accompany the mashes. For those who prefer a vegan option, we recommend this vegan haggis recipe that closely approximates the original recipe.
Traditional Dishes
Preparing recipes like scotch broth or cock-a-leekie doesn’t require great culinary experience, as they resemble traditional stew broths. Accompanying the dinner with a good Scotch whisky will be much simpler, as recognized brands are available worldwide.
Online Events for Burns Night 2026
In Scotland, events like the Big Burns Supper Festival in Dumfries are usually massive, but if you can’t attend in person, the festival is also celebrated online. Check the event details on its official page here.
Additionally, on the official VisitScotland page, you can find an updated list of events for Burns Night.
Promoting Scottish Culture
From Edinburgh Walking Tours, we also want to help you celebrate this wonderful tradition. Visit our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram for more tips and inspiration.
We wish you a very happy Robert Burns Night.