S:Burns supper

A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns , the author of
many Scots poems.Given that Robert Burns was born on 25th January 1759, Burns Night takes place
on 25th January each year. The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish life. Suppers can range from
an informal gathering of friends to a huge, formal dinner full of pomp and circumstance. Most Burns
Suppers fall in the middle of this range, and adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honoured form
which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the
recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard.

A:History
The first Burns supper was held in July 1801 when nine of Burns’ close friends got together to mark
the fifth anniversary of their friend’s death. Taking place at Burns Cottage in Alloway, the night
included a tasty meal, performances of Burns’ work and a speech in honour of the great Bard. The
night was such a resounding success they decided to hold it again, beginning the tradition we still
enjoy to this day. The Scottish Parliament considers the celebration of Burns Night each year to be a
key cultural heritage event as he was one of the greatest poets and that his work has influenced
thinkers across the world.

S:Standard order
Each Burns supper is individual, but the running order normally goes something like this:
. To start – everyone gathers, the host says a few words, everyone sits and the Selkirk
Grace is said.
. The meal – the starter is served, the haggis is piped in, the host performs the famous
Burns Night haggis poem Address to a Haggis, everyone toasts the haggis and the
main meal is served, followed by dessert.
. After the meal – the first Burns recital is performed after Burns Night food,
the Immortal Memory (the main tribute speech to Burns) is given, the second Burns
recital is performed, then there’s a Toast to the Lassies, followed by a Reply to the
Toast to the Lassies, before the final Burns recital is performed.
. To end the night – the host gives a vote of thanks, everyone stands and sings Auld
Lang Syne, crossing their arms and joining hands at the line ‘And there's a hand, my
trusty fere!’.

A:Main course
At the end of the poem, a whisky toast will be proposed to the haggis, and the company will sit down
to the meal. The haggis is traditionally served with mashed potatoes (neeps and tatties). A dessert
course, cheese courses, coffee, etc., may also be part of the meal. The courses normally use
traditional Scottish recipes. The first course at a Burns' Night supper is traditionally cock-a-leekie
soup (a thin chicken and leek soup). If haggis has been served as a starter course, you may be
offered Scottish beef or a highland casserole containing venison and/or other game as the main
course. A cheeseboard with Scottish oatcakes is sometimes offered after the dessert.

S:Ceremony
When the meal reaches the coffee stage, various speeches and toasts are given. The main speaker
gives a speech remembering some aspect of Burns's life or poetry. It may be either light-hearted or
serious and may include the recitation of a poem or a song by Burns. A toast to the Immortal Memory
of Robert Burns then follows. After the speeches there may be singing of songs by Burns and more
poetry. That may be done by the individual guests or by invited experts, and it goes on for as long as
the guests wish. It may include other works by poets influenced by Burns, particularly poets writing in
Scots. Foreign guests may also be invited to sing or say works from their land.

A:What to Wear for a Burns Night Supper

Some Burns Night celebrations require formal dress. For a Scotsman, this is normally
a full Highland Dress of kilt, sporran and other traditional accessories. Other Burns
Night events are less formal and have a more relaxed dress code. Many ladies wear a
tartan sash over one shoulder at a formal Burns Night celebration.But be aware of
protocol, ladies: If you intend to wear a traditional tartan sash, make sure that it is
draped across your right shoulder—unless you are the wife of a chieftain or a wife of
a colonel of a Scottish regiment, in which case you may drape it over the left
shoulder.