5 Burns night dinners to celebrate the Scottish Bard
Oche Aye dust off your tartan and swing into the nearest cèilidh
Burns night is a traditionally celebration of the life and poetry of Scottish writer Robert Burns, and is normally celebrated on his birthday 25 January, which is this Saturday.
The tradition started a few years after the poet's death in 1796, when his friends began to commemorated his career and honour the 18th century Bard's contribution to Scottish culture. His best known work is Auld Lang Syne. Should auld acquaintance be forgot...
Turns out they weren't. More than two centuries later it's a nationwide event with recitals of the poet's works, haggis dinners and a wee dram or six of Scotch whisky to celebrate.
Dust off your kilts and get ready for a cèilidh with our pick of Burns night celebrations around the country. We ask any one seeing out Dry January and/ or Veganuary to look away now.
New Street Grill, London
New Street Grill
London restaurant New Street Grill, has curated a special Burns Night dinner menu, with expertly chosen drinks pairings on Saturday night.
Guests can indulge in Scottish traditional dishes with a twist including: Haggis Scotch Eggs; Highland Venison with Haggis Bon Bons and bashed neeps (swede) with black berry sauce.
New Street Grills sommeliers will be pairing drinks to each of the three courses including drams of Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch Whisky and Dalmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Whisky (for £5 extra each glass) with the cost for three courses being £32. Book here now.
Browns Brasserie and Bar, Manchester
Browns Brasserie and Bar Facebook
Browns Brasserie in Manchester have partnered with Glenfiddich who getting into the spirit (ahem) by pairing a whisky to each course from the restaurant's Burns night menu.
It will start with Scottish Mussels in a white wine sauce paired with a glass of Glenfiddich IPA, the first whisky ever used in IPA craft beer casks. For the main event, enjoy Haggis, neeps and tatties with a drop of Glenfiddich’s 15-year-old whisky.
End your Burns night supper with a bowl of Cranachan, made from smooth whipped cream, honey and a dash of whisky — this traditional Scottish dessert goes excellently with Glenfiddich’s 12-year-old whisky. Book here now.
The Eagle and Child, Oxford
The Eagle and Child Facebook
Strong and hearty is what to expect with this traditionally Scottish 2 or 3-course set menu at The Eagle and Child public house served on Burns night itself.
For starters enjoy smoked Scottish salmon served with oatcakes and chive sour cream. Haggis will follow, neeps and tatties and lashings of gravy (a root vegetable hot pot is available as a vegan-friendly option). The supper ends with a bowl of Cranachan: that deadly Scottish dessert made from cream, fresh raspberries and bolstered by Scottish oats and whisky.
There will be plenty of whisky such as Highland Park 12 Year Old and Auchentoshan American Oak or if you fancy something more fancy ask for an Orcadian Cooler whisky highball, which should get you dancing to the live Scottish music.
The Pump Room, Bath
The Pump Room Bath
Tare the historical landmark that is The Roman baths and combine it with the true Scottish tradition that is Burns night and you are sure to be in for a very special evening.
The Pump Room restaurant in the grounds of The Roman Baths are prepping a four-course haggis heavy supper ready to celebrate the life and work of Robert Burns in style, with an evening of poetry, music and Scottish dancing.
A bag piper will summon you to your table after a drinks reception and during the delicious dinner expect poetry readings with a whisky bar and live music and ceilidh dancing later.
Sloans, Glasgow
Sloans Facebook
It wouldn't be a decent Burns night list without a authentically Scottish venue, that's actually in Scotland and so here we present Sloans Glasgow's oldest (opened in 1797) bar and restaurant.
The delicious three course Burns' supper, a dram and ceilidh is £45 per person and Sloans know a good ceilidh, because they host one every single Friday of the year!
Raise a glass and toast Robert Burns, enjoy poem recitals and listen to bagpipes while tucking into a traditional meal. You know what's coming! The menu includes Haggis, oatcakes, the needs and the tatties, Scottish clapshot mash, whisky and peppercorn sauce — the works!
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Comments (4)
I’m having friends round for enchiladas on burns night because we are bad at being Scottish!
Haha well enchiladas are delicious on any occasion!
Great read! I'm inspired to get involved and make a night of it myself.
Thanks Stefan, great idea!!