Burns Night - Scotland

On January 25th Scotland celebrates Burns Night. We read a very interesting article and the students were refreshed with an original Scottish biscuit. We also watched 3 videos about the music of bagpipes, traditional Scottish song and the haggis.

Each year, on January 25th, Scots all over the world celebrate Burns Night with family and friends.This is the birthdate of Robert Burns (1759-1796), who is regarded as the national poet of Scotland.The event includes traditional food, music, and dance, as well as drinking large amounts of whisky.Humour is the main focus.

People recite Burns poems, and there is much singing and dancing.The meal is served in grand style.The host brings the haggis into the room on a large platter.The bagpipes are playing and everyone stands.Haggis is a savoury pudding made of sheep’s organs (heart, liver, and lungs) with onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices, encased in a sheep’s stomach.It looks quite ugly!.

Before everyone begins eating, the host recites the Selkirk Grace, a famous Burns poem.The host stabs the haggis with a knife while reading a particular part of the poem.After the poem, there’s a whisky toast to honour the haggis, which is served with mashed potatoes (‘tatties’) and mashed turnips (‘neeps’).

At the end of the evening, everyone holds hands and sings Auld Lang Syne, a traditional Scottish song with words by Robert Burns.

It is a well known fact that back in the days of open fireplaces in the home, men in kilts stood with their backs to the fire and lifted the back of their kilts to warm their bare bottoms, “until their rabbie burns”.This is another legacy of the great poet. .

Source: Jump 2018 and Jodie Hruby.

Adapted by: Jodie Hruby UK/USA.