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History of #BurnsNight
The tradition of a Burns night (Burns supper) began shortly after the poet's death when some of his friends gathered to remember Robert and his poetry on the anniversary of his birth.
As Robert Burns gained prominence as the greatest of Scottish poets, so the tradition of honouring his work on Burns night grew in popularity.
Though they may differ in formality, Burns evenings generally follow a similar pattern
A meal with haggis is served.
REAL haggis
The evening ends aptly with "Auld Lang Syne"
Robert Burns was the first to write down this old Scottish folk song, and its popularity is now global as no New Year's Eve party is complete without its rendition.
A second key element is the drinking of a good Scottish single malt whiskey in honour of the poet.
Finally, the activities of the evening are framed within his poetry.
When the haggis is carved, 'To a Haggis' is recited, with its famous line, "Great chieftain o' the pudding race"
Before the meal another of Burns' poems, the Selkirk Grace is read.