Perfect recipe for a great Burns Supper
How to host big night so it’s the toast of your guests
BANISH the winter weather blues and pay tribute to one of the greatest writers of all time as you hold your own Burns Supper, an evening which combines Scottish tradition, good company, enthralling entertainment, laughter and lashings of food and drink.
The Burns Supper – or Burns Night, if you prefer – is the ever-popular way to honour the life and legacy of Robert Burns, the 18th century poet and favourite son of Scotland whose renown is global.
The Bard was born on January 25, 1759, and now, on the anniversary of that date, people take part in what has become a traditional celebration of his works of poetry and song.
You might be surprised at just how easy it is to host your own Burns Supper, and there’s no better way to find out just what it’s all about than with the aid of VisitScotland’s new downloadable eBook, Hold Your Own Burns Supper.
The free, 76-page guide is packed with all you need to know. Get to grips with the roots of this tradition and learn about who Burns was, find out about the earliest Burns Suppers and read some fascinating facts before you discover how to plan your own cracking night.
For instance, did you know that Burns fathered 12 children in his short lifetime, or that nine million people joined in with Burns Suppers in 2009?
You’ll learn that a Burns Supper can be as formal or as informal as you like. The guide covers all the most traditional components and running order, but also provides great tips and advice on how you can put together a Burns Night which reflects your style, and best suits both your guests and your budget. You can even bring this time-honoured tradition to life in the comfort of your own living room.
Planning in advance will help ensure that your evening runs smoothly. The food and drink element is one of the first things to consider – will you be serving up entirely traditional fare, or opt for Scottish dishes with a modern twist?
The guide contains delicious recipes for classics such as haggis, neeps and tatties – along with inspiring ideas from top chefs on how to get creative with your menu.
From tartan table decorations to connoisseur-led whisky tastings, check out our suggestions for some wonderful flourishes to leave your guests impressed.
No Burns Night would be complete without a couple of rousing speeches, toasts and poetry recitals and, for many, music is also a vital part. Burns himself was known for orating at social gatherings and had a great passion for song and dance. Learn about what’s i ncluded i n customary addresses and get an insight into the meanings of some of the poet’s most famous verses, including Address to a Haggis and the epic tale Tam o’ Shanter.
And that’s not all; explore traditional Scottish dress and get ideas on how to add some Scottish flair to any outfit; dip a toe into ceilidh dancing; learn about Burns clubs in Scotland and beyond; discover where you can pick up a haggis; and uncover other great events taking place across Scotland to honour the birth of the great wordsmith.
Download and read Hold Your Own Burns Supper for free and, come January 25, you can be sure that you will host a memorable evening that the Bard himself would have been proud to attend.
See www.visitscotland.com for more details.