Burns Night Celebrations

Various venues, January 25

The life of Scotland’s national bard is being marked at a series of events across Courier Country. Celebrations of Robert Burns’ remarkable contribution to poetry and the nation’s cultural heritage have been a fixture since the first Burns supper in 1801, five years after his death.

Potentially one of this year’s swishest events is the £55-a-head bash at Strathmore’s Glamis Castle, starting at 6pm next Saturday. Boasting traditional fare including cullen skink, haggis and cranachan, diners will also enjoy expert recitals before music from Broon Coo Ceilidh Band until 1am.

Also in Angus, Piperdam at Fowlis hosts an alternative Burns event next Friday – a family party with face painting, soft play and finger foods for kids from 5-7pm, alongside dancing and a bar for grown-ups. Bookings are available on 01382 585013.

Further south, Forbes of Kingennie resort has a Burns Night ceilidh plus haggis buffet – tickets are £20 – while learning disabilities charity PAMIS holds its annual tribute from 7pm at Dundee’s Apex City Quay Hotel. Bookings for the glamour-themed fundraiser are £62 via Eventbrite, or £580 for a table of 10 by calling Fiona Harper on 01382 385154.

Across the city, Dundee University’s lacrosse and tennis clubs host their inaugural fundraising ceilidh on Wednesday at Perth Road’s West Park, with Maggie’s Dundee one of the beneficiaries.

Burns Night tunes from Blue Ice are on offer from 8pm at Arthurstone Terrace’s Black Watch Club, with Claverhouse Rotary Club members set to propose toasts at a Camperdown event next Friday from 7pm to 10pm.

Heading west, Perth Burns Club’s annual dinner is on at the Salutation Hotel from 7pm on the big night. Famed as one of Scotland’s leading celebrations, its speakers this year include ex-Robert Burns World Federation president Angus Middleton, Perth and Kinross Council provost Dennis Melloy and retired teacher Sheena McNaughton.

Music will be from singers Paul Vaughan and Loryn Cura accompanied by pianist Howard Duthie, plus fiddler Karys Watt and piper Martin Bristow. There’s also a chance to mark Burns Night outdoors at Perth’s scenic Norie Miller Park, with the city’s Riverside Light Nights launching with free haggis tasting and a dram of whisky.

Elsewhere, Burns Night highlights in Glenrothes include charity Fife Gingerbread’s supper at Gilvenbank Hotel from 6.30pm. Tickets, at £27.50, are available on 01592 725210.

Also in the kingdom, there’s a special Burns Night edition of Fife Council’s regular Youth Blast promising pupils Scottish-themed food and fun at Madras College in St Andrews’ South Street.

Kicking off celebrations tomorrow, Cupar’s Howe of Fife RFC has its annual bash, while Scores Hotel hosts St Andrews’ Kilrymont Rotary’s Burns social night on Tuesday.

The achievements of Robert Burns will be toasted in style across Courier Country next week.