Robbie Burns - Scottish Poet - 1759 - 1796

In the early days people thought Robert's birthdate was the 29th of January because of an error by the local priest. We now know of course it was the 25th of January!

On the Robert Burns night across the world, Scottish people will proudly sit down to a banquet while a lone Scot or few, dressed in traditional Tartan, will march behind the bagpipes to the smell of freshly cooked Haggis. Tatties and Neeps will follow to a melody such as Auld Lang Syne.

Only a true Scotsman will ever Chair the evening - such is its importance. And to Chair a Burns evening is both a privilege and an honour to just about anyone of Scottish descent.

 A typical Burns evening might look as follows -

The chairman will give his opening address to all those seated. This is usually a formal event, not just something thrown together at the last minute - such is the importance of Rabbie Burns.

This is followed by prayer of Grace before meal. Those attending stand and in turn the Haggis is usually marched into the dining room to the wails of a piper or more followed by the chairman of the evening or the chef who cooked the Haggis. Once the Haggis has been placed at the top table the Chairman reads one of Burn's most celebrated poems for this occassion, normally - 'Address To a Haggis'.

It is in the third verse of the poem - 'An' cut you up wi' ready sleight' that the chairman cuts the Haggis open -

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin', rich!

It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the Haggis with a glass of whisky.

The company will then sit for a traditional meal that always consists of Haggis, Champit Tatties and Hashed or sometimes called Bashed Neeps - sorry, but in everyday english this means Haggis, Potatoes and Turnips. And what a combination they are too.

First course and deserts will sometimes vary but may consist of country soup and for desert, a trifle.

Then an invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns which is customery to celebrate the mans life and achievements. Robert Burns was just a young man when he died but his work output would put most of us to shame. He was only 37 when he passed away.

This formal Burns speech is normally followed by a light-hearted address to the women in the audience and acts as a reminder to the 'lasses' in Burns' life. He was afterall, a bit of a ladies man, or so I'm led to believe.

From here on in the evening tends to vary depending on where you atttend the evening. Some will enjoy poetry, others traditional Scottish songs or even some bagpipe music.

Of course what is never too far away is a wee dram of Scottich whisky to celebrate the great man.

And why not - whatever your culture or language, Robert Burns was a genius who deserves to be recognised by everyone.