Burns nights

A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25th January. 

            The first suppers were held by Robert Burns' friends on the anniversary of his death, 21 July. The first “Burns Club” held the first “Burns supper” in 1802 and since then suppers honouring the greatest Scot have been held every year.

            Burns suppers may be either formal or informal. Informal suppers typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish), Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns' poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organisations such as Burns clubs, the Freemasons, or St Andrews Societies and occasionally end with dancing.

            The formal suppers follow a standard format which is as follows. 

Host's welcoming speech:  The host says a few words welcoming  everyone to the  supper and the event is declared open.

Selkirk grace: All of the guests are seated and grace is said, usually using the Selkirk Grace.

    “Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae let the Lord be thankit.” (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.)

Soup course: Normally a Scottish soup such as Scotch Broth, Potato Soup or Cock-a-Leekie is served.

Entrance of the haggis: Everyone stands as the main course is brought in. This is always a haggis on a large dish. It is usually brought in by the cook, generally while a piper plays bagpipes and leads the way to the host's table, where the haggis is laid down. The host, or perhaps a guest with a talent, then recites the Address to a Haggis.

      At the line of the poem where it says “His knife see rustic Labour dicht” the speaker normally draws and cleans a knife, and at the line “An' cut you up wi' ready slicht”, plunges it into the haggis and cuts it open from end to end. This "ceremony" is a highlight of the evening.

Scotch whisky toast:  At the end of the poem, a Scotch whisky toast will be proposed to the haggis, then the company will sit and enjoy the meal.

Supper: The main course is haggis, and is traditionally served with mashed potatoes (tatties) and mashed turnip (neeps). The courses normally use traditional Scottish recipes. For instance dessert may be cranachan or Tipsy Laird (whisky trifle) followed by oatcakes and cheese, all washed down with the "water of life" (uisge beatha) – Scotch whisky.

            When the meal reaches the coffee stage various speeches and toasts are given. In order, the core speeches and toasts are as follows.

Immortal memory: One of the guests gives a short speech, remembering some aspect of Burns' life or poetry. This may be light-hearted or intensely serious. Everyone drinks a toast to Robert Burns. The host will normally say a few words thanking the speaker.

Toast to the Lassies: This was originally a short speech given by a male guest in thanks to those women who had prepared the meal. The men drink a toast to the women's health

Reply to the Toast of the Lassies:  This is occasionally (and humorously) called the “Toast to the Laddies”. In it a female guest will give her views on men and reply to any specific points raised by the previous speaker. Quite often the speaker giving this toast and the previous one will collaborate so that the two toasts complement each other.

Singing: After the speeches, there may be singing of songs by Burns.

Auld Lang Syne:  Finally the host will wind things up, after which everyone is asked to stand, join hands, and sing Auld Lang Syne which brings the evening to an end.