This Burns supper trivia article is about Burns Night, what, who, when and how. Read and then see the link at the end to go take a Burns night quiz.

The Scottish tradition of Burns Night is a celebration Scottish poet Robert Burns life and works, you’ll also hear it called a Burns Supper by many.. You may also hear it called Burns Nicht or Robert Burns Day and it’s typically celebrated on or near his birthday on January 25th though there is no rule to stop you holding one at any other time of year.

The majority of Burns Suppers are found in Scotland and Northern Ireland but they take place globally wherever Scotland clubs, Scottish expats and Burns poetry lovers come together.

For example, in the New Zealand city of Dunedin which was founded by Burns nephew Thomans Burns, there is a very strong Burns night tradition.

When did Burns Night start?
The first ones were held by his friends as memorials around the date of his death (21st July) toward the end of the 18th Century.

The Mother Club, started in 1801 by the merchants of Greenock, Ayrshire held the first January suppers in 1801, initially they held them on what was thought to be his birth date, 29th January but birth records discovered in 1803 proved the date to be 25th January 1759 and that date has stuck ever since.

What happens at a Burns Supper

Hosts Welcome Speech

Seating and Grace
All are seated and the grace is given. The grace is a Scottish form called the Selkirk Grace which originated as the Galloway Grace but was name changed after Burns was said to have given it at a dinner held by the Earl of Selkirk.

After the grace has been said the meal gets underway with a soup course such as Scotch Broth, Potato Soup or Cock-a-Leeki

Main Course – Entrance of the haggis
Customarily a bagpiper performs ‘A man’s a man for a’ that’, ‘Robbie Burns Medley’ or ‘The Star O’ Robbie Burns’. The host or perhaps a guest then recites the Address to a Haggis, a traditional speech.

When the address is finished there will then be a Scotch Whiskey toast to the haggis and the main course is eaten.

Speeches and Toasts
Once the coffee stage is reached there are certain speeches and toasts made as follows:

Immortal memory
This short speech focues on soem key part of Burns life or works.

Appreciation
The host thanks the Immortal Memory speaker and maybe makes a few comments. Depending on the event this could be formal or fun.

Toast to the Lassies
In this a man makes a speech to thank the women present and normally includes some fun (but not rude!) remarks about women.

Reply to the Toast to the Lassies
A big reason why the mens toast should not be rude is that now the women get to reply! The lady speaker will give her views on men and reply to any points made in the mens speech. Speakers will often plan their speeches in advance so they compliment each other and add more humour.

Other Toasts
Might follow depending on the guests or country in which the dinner has taken place.

Works by Burns
Following the the speeches it’s common to sing Burns songs such as Ae Fond Kiss, Parcel O’ Rogues, A Man’s a Man and to recite poems like To a Mouse, To a Louse, Tam O’ Shanter, The Twa Dugs, Holy Willie’s Prayer.

This can go on for a looong time, and can include by poets influenced by Burns, particularly if written in Scots.

Concluding
The host ends the night by asking a guest to offer the vote of thanks, then everybody stands, joins hands, and sings Auld Lang Syne which brings the night to an finish.

For loads of fun things about Scotland, Burns and Burns Night Suppers and for a Burns Night and Scotland trivia quiz see my special Burns night quiz page.

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