Burns Night 2021

To celebrate Burns Night 20201, we'll be hosting a live-streamed event for everyone at home to take part in a Burns Supper from 7:00pm, Monday 25th January 2021.

​To join us via Microsoft Teams, click here.

What is a Burns Supper?
A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns (25th January 1759 – 21th July 1796), the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet's birthday, 25 January, known as Burns Night (Scots: Burns Nicht; also called Robert Burns Day or Rabbie Burns Day). However, in principle, celebrations may be held at any other time of the year.

View/Download a guide to Burns Night here with poems and the stories behind them here.

Running Order of Cedarwood Burns Night Supper

Piping in the guests
To bapgipe or traditional music  – Lara/Ruth (Flute/Fiddle)

Reciting of the Selkirk Grace
(see below) – Stu Simpson

Piping in the haggis
Guests stand to welcome the haggis to the table! -  Lara/Ruth (Flute/Fiddle)

Toast to the haggis
Honouring the most important ingredient of the meal – Pauline/Lara

Burns Night meal
Discussion of the meal/recipes led by Pauline and Lara

The 'immortal memory'
An account of the life of Robbie Burns - Stu Simpson

Followed by Burns's songs and poems from:
Renata Connors, John Metcalf, - Ruth/Pauline/Stu/anyone could do a short poem/song here if they wish.

Toast to the lassies
A traditional thank you to the women involved in the preparations (and a light-hearted homage to Burns's love of women) – Lara Barnes

Scottish/Burns Quiz
Pauline as Quizmaster.

Finale with Auld Lang Syne
Lara leads singalong? (with mics off)

A Burns Supper can be as formal or as informal as suits the occasion and guests are traditionally invited to take their turn in reciting Burns poems or songs during the evening.

The Selkirk Grace
This is recited after the guests have entered the room and are seated at the table and before the haggis is piped to the table.

"Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit."

Traditional menu for a Burns Night Supper– We could publish these ahead of time as part of the promotion for it, so people can prepare a burns supper for themselves if they wish.

Starter: Cock a Leekie Soup
Main course: Haggis with neeps and tatties (turnips and mashed potato)
Dessert: Clootie dumpling or cranachan (a traditional dessert of oats, cream, whisky and raspberries)
Drink: Scotch whisky

The Immortal Memory
The immortal memory is the centrepiece of the evening and equivalent to a wedding dinner speech - the denoted speaker gives a talk on the life of Robert Burns, in anticipation of the songs and poems to come. Although the speech often touches on the highs and lows of Burns's life, it should include a celebration of his home country of Scotland, his literary genius and his love of all things Scottish.