Burns Night.

DH proposed after a Burn's Night Dinner Dance in 1970.

How is it traditionally celebrated?

I have only ever been invited to one Burn's night but my car broke down and I had to be towed home! So I still don't know what goes on but I always think of the breakdown whenever it comes round...

Indigo8

How is it traditionally celebrated?

With haggis, neeps and tatties, of course! Washed down with a wee dram, if you like. And if you're at a Burns Supper, there will be recitations of Rabbie's songs and poetry.

We went a few times in the 70s - there were bagpipes, the haggis was piped in and then addressed.

Lots of dancing afterwards.

We always had a celebration in school. A concert, where each class had to do a party piece, Scottish treats for the weans and everyone was encouraged to wear something tartan. I had a pair of Royal Stewart tartan shoes.

Haggis ready here for tonight with needs and mash, will forego the whisky.

I used to recite/act out Tam O'Shanter at my school Burns Suppers. The pupils sang and recited Burns works and there was often Highland dancing. The haggis is usually piped in and everyone stands and applauds as it is brought to the table. Then there's The Address to the Haggis given.

Needs! 🤣🤣

I’ve been to a Burns supper with my stepfather when mum was alive. It was a great night! The haggis was piped in, whisky was poured. I really enjoyed it with the neeps and tatties!

Jaxjacky

Needs! 🤣🤣

Well, you do need to have neeps with your haggis!

We usually go to one in Scotland, in a hotel with connections to Burns. Not saying as it’s too outing.
Sadly not this year, due to the red weather warning, and the roads are shut.

Haven’t been to a Burns night for many years, but did enjoy the haggis! Neeps and tatties always go down well, too.

I have sung at dozens of Burns suppers over the years, and I do a mean Tam O’ Shanter. Our school Burns Supper used to sell out in hours.
I am a big fan of Rabbie.

My Scottish son-in-law had his Burns Night supper yesterday. My daughter is abroad with her work, so he's managing everything on his own. I am out this evening so I cooked him his haggis, neeps and tatties for tea last night.
You have to collect MIL points where you can.
A very happy Burns Night to all Scottish GNs.

We went to a Burns Night supper some years ago. (In England). It was organised by 2 Scottish-born men in their family tartan kilts.
It was conducted just as it would be in Scotland - the Haggis was piped in, an address given to it and I found it so interesting that the tradition has thrived.
Dare I say I didn’t love the taste of Haggis?
But the Night was great.

A side line here in Wales it is Saint Dwynwen’s day The Welsh Valentine’s

My son has just flown down to London this morning to help an old school friend who has not long moved to South Kensington to cook and host a Burns night!! The kilt was packed but just socks, shoes and the thick white socks! His friend will be in full highland dress no doubt and he is an accomplished piper. I hope he has warned his neighbours!!!!

We're going to a Burns night tonight. I can't say I'm looking forward to it. I've been to many in the past and just find it boring. A set menu then what feels like hours of tedious speeches and recitations. I know others love it though. Just not me.

No dancing or proposals, Aveline?

Certainly not! It'll be all I can do to stay awake!

Burns Nights are very popular up here - we have active Burns Clubs and they have the most formal events. Pipers. singers, poetry recitations etc. My son who is a very accomplished singer used to provide vocal entertainment at these events for several years. He still recalls the year he was singing "The De'ils Awa with the Exciseman" which is very wordy especially in the chorus. It's hard work getting your mouth and tongue around the words under normal circumstances but the accompanying pianist had been a little too partial to the free drams on offer! He played faster and faster with each verse while my son had to perform vocal gymnastics to keep up! Words were definitely had! The following is a link to another Burns tradition- the Tale of Tam o' Shanter. It's best suited to Burns aficionados and Scors as it's delivered in dialect and is very long. The recording comes from an online Burns night organised during lockdown by our Community association.

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Sorry, wrong link!

www.facebook.com/share/v/19aTE53KbC/

I used to be able to recite the whole of Tam O'Shanter from memory. I can still remember large chunks of it, but I'm not sure I could do the entire thing from memory these days.