 Burns Suppers are for everyone. They're great fun - a chance to recite your favourite Burns poems, praise women, praise men, laugh and sing. Visit our Foot Stompin' Robert Burns home where you can view loads of different CDs, books and DVDs on the great man.
The first recorded Burns celebration was held in July 1801 on the anniversary of his Death comprising a group of friends and acquaintances. Later the date was to change to the evening of the anniversary of his Birth (25th January) and would become "Burns Night" with the focal point being the "Burns Supper" These gatherings were the origins of the Celebration of Burns as seen today. Similarly, Robert Burns would now be celebrated on St. Andrews Day, and at any other social occasion in the Calendar, for those with a link to Scottish Heritage.
To host your own Burns Supper all you need is a group of friends, haggis, neeps (turnip or suede), tatties (potatoes), Burns poems and a voice.
First plan your programme. The standard is:
Welcome - from yourself or Chairperson
Entrance of the Haggis. The 'official' way is
The company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, carrying the haggis to the top table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap. The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem Address To A Haggis, with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight', he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife. It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whisky.
You could also keep it simple and switch on the bagpipe CD (check out Foot Stompin's Bagpipe CDs) and march into the room and deliver the haggis to the person reciting 'Address To A Haggis'. See poem text below.
After you have dined on the Haggis next up is The Immortal Memory. This is one of the central features of the evening. An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.
When that's finished it is time for the Toast To The Lasses. This is light hearted toast which is meant to make people laugh. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies for preparing the food and a time to toast the 'lasses' in Burns' life. The tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end on a concilliatory note. It should finish with the men in the room standing up and toastin 'Tae the Lasses' (led by the speaker)
After this a women should be invited to give the Response. This is the turn of the lasses to detail men's intricasies whilst celebrating them. Again, should be humorous but not insulting and finish with the ladies in the room standing up and toastin 'Tae the Lads' (led by the speaker).
After this it is down to your preferences. You could have a selection of recitations and songs from Burns and other Scottish poets, have a disco or play cards. You should finish the night though singing Auld Lang Syne (see below). The Burns classic is the perfect way to finish a night as it is all about coming together.
To cook your meal you should get:
INGREDIENTS:
1 large haggis, pre-prepared (serves 6)
900g potatoes, peeled (waxy Desirees are good for a luscious, creamy mash)
salt
900g turnips, peeled
25g butter
2 splashes of milk (or double cream, although this can be too rich for some people)
whisky (optional)
PREPARATION:
1. Place the haggis in a large pot of cold water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer for about 45 minutes per 500g.
2. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut them into small sized chunks. Place in a pot of boiling water. Peel and cube the turnips and place in another pot of boiling water. Boil both for 15–20 minutes or until tender.
3. Drain and mash the potatoes, adding any milk and/or cream as desired. Drain and mash the turnip.
4. Transfer the Haggis to a warmed plate or platter. Stick a night into the skin and scopp the haggis out onto a plate. Serve with a scoop each of mashed potato and mashed turnip. The haggis can be drizzled with whisky if desired.
Address To A Haggis
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
Then, horn for horn,
they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent lyke drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
"Bethankit!" 'hums.
Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil! see him ower his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whissle;
An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.
Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a haggis!
Auld Lang Syne
Chorus.
And for auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,
1.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' auld lang syne.
2.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
3.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.
4.
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
5.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
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