Pictou County to celebrate its Scottish Ancestry at Robert Burns night

Every year, the celebration of the life and legacy of one of the most famous Scottish literary figures Robert Burns, or Rabbie Burns, as he’s often known, takes place in Pictou County, hosted by Na Gaisgich Society and St. Andrews Society.

This Burns Dinner is a perfect antidote to a cold, dark late January night. The evening will be a warm and merry affair, filled with fervent speech-giving, poetry recitals and plenty of food and drink.

For many, the highlight of the evening comes with the arrival of the haggis. Scotland’s national dish takes centre stage, as the words to one of Burns’ most well known poems, Address to a Haggis, are ceremoniously recounted for all to hear.

The first Burns gathering was when nine of the poet’s friends decided to gather in the cottage where he was born in Alloway on the 21 July, the date of his death. The party’s intention was to “offer tribute to the memory of departed genius.”

They decided to honour the bard on what they thought was the anniversary of his birthday on Jan. 29, 1802. However, the following year they discovered in Ayr Parish Records that the true date was, in fact, Jan. 25. Since then, celebrations have taken place on, or around, the historic day of Robert Burns’ birth.

In Pictou County, Burns Dinners became not only a celebration of Scotland’s National Bard, but of other aspects of Scottish culture. Scottish music, fiddles, bagpipes, single malt scotch, and the presence and wearing of tartan all quickly became synonymous with the makings of our great Burns dinner.

This year the event is being held at Summer Street Industries on Jan. 27th. starting with reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by any member of the St. Andrews and Na Gaisgich Societies, or by calling 902-485-5340.