We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Burns' Night?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: Feb 04, 2024
Views: 13,098
Share

Robert Burns is one of the best loved and most celebrated of the Scottish poets, who blended the serious, the romantic, and the comical in his many works. Sadly his life was cut short at the age of 37, in 1796, but those in Scotland will not soon forget his impact on literature, and even on daily life. In fact, exactly a year after death on July 21, his friends gathered to pay him suitable tribute. This marks the birth of the Burns' Night tradition in 1797, which very quickly gained in popularity, with a Burns’ Club established by 1800.

Less than 100 years later, over 50 Burns Clubs were each organizing Burns' Night events, but some changes did occur. The date was changed to January 25 to reflect the celebration of Robbie Burns’ birth. The celebration not only honored and remembered Burns, but also became one of high revelry and fun.

Scottish folks today may celebrate Burns' Night in a variety of ways. You can attend very formal events organized by Burns’ Clubs, stay home for small gatherings with friends, or go to somewhat less formally organized or impromptu celebrations. Whether you’re in evening dress (kilts for men and formal dresses for women) or sitting home in a pair of jeans, most people will follow certain traditions on Burns' Night.

Typically Burns' Night will offer supper, which must have certain important foods. These include haggis, a Scottish delicacy, which Burns once praised in the poem, “Address to the Haggis.” The Haggis may be brought into a room with much ceremony, and Burns’ poem recited to honor it.

Haggis is usually accompanied by yellow turnips (rutabaga). An important side dish is potatoes: these can be prepared in numerous ways. Other products exported from Scotland tend to make up the bill of fare, in order to reference their relative shortage during Burns’ time. These dishes at a Burns' Night include: beef or lamb, salmon, and various types of shellfish. To these traditional offerings many sides can be added, depending upon the preference of people organizing large or small parties.

A typical authentic Burns' Night usually has available lots of whiskey for guests and many toasts are drunk throughout the night, beginning with a toast to Burns’ memory, one to the lassies, and a reply by at least one lassie if not more. Other toasts may be offered, which can reference the poet, quote some of his famous lines, or be personal in nature. Singing or recitation of Burns’ classic Auld Lang Syne usually concludes the evening.

Burns' Night celebrations are not exclusive to Scotland. Many people throughout the UK, and the US, and in a few other countries celebrate and keep immortal the poet by their remembrance and observation of this special celebration.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-burns-night.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.