106 Robert Burns

Most people will have at least heard of burns night. You may not know what it is but I think you will have heard of it. It is c celebration across the UK all as a tribute to a Scottish Poet known as Robert Burns. Originally it was organised but his friends and family after his passing as a little memorial, but it has grown to be a countrywide celebration. It is a night of traditional Scottish food, music and fireworks. Robert was also known as Rabbie and he wrote over 500 poems and songs before he passed in 1796 at just 37 years old. Robert was well known for his work “A Red Redd Rose” and “A Man’s a Man for A’ That”. He was born in the west of Scotland in 1759. As a poet, he took inspiration from his Scottish surroundings.

Burns Night is held on January 25th every year which is the date he was believed to have been born. Restaurants particularly in Scotland hold celebrations and themed evenings. On the 25th of January, every year burns night supper consists of Haggis, tatties, and neeps. Most of you will now be asking “what on earth is that?” Well if you are squeamish you may wanna skip the next few words. Haggis is made of sheep’s heart, liver and lungs and prepared in the stomach lining, turnips, swedes, and potatoes. The night usually begins with the words of the man himself being read aloud, especially “Address to Haggis”. Many people also add a bit of Scottish Whiskey into it as the evening goes on.

You can’t do a burns night celebration without “Auld Lang Syne” which is also sung on New Year’s Eve. If you want to you could wear tartan and for those people who can play the old bagpipes come out to play. The night is most commonly celebrated in Scotland and Northern Ireland but as the years pass more and more parts of the UK are joining in the celebrating.