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Get ready to celebrate the life and works of Scottish poet Robert Burns on January 25 for Burns Night! This beloved holiday has been celebrated since the late 18th century, in honor of one of Scotland's most famous literary figures. On this special day, Scots and those with Scottish heritage gather to enjoy a traditional meal of haggis, neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes), while reciting some of Burns' most famous poems and songs. It's a lively and heartwarming celebration of Scottish culture and literature that is not to be missed!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1759</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Birth of Robert Burns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, was born in Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1796</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Death of Robert Burns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Robert Burns died on July 21, 1796, leaving behind a significant body of work.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1801</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Burns Supper</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Burns Supper was held by friends of Robert Burns on July 21, 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1803</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebration Date Shifts</div><div class='timeline-text'>The date of Burns Supper was shifted from July 21 to January 25, to celebrate the birth of Robert Burns instead of his death.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Burns Federation Formation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Burns Federation was formed to promote the life, works, and love for Robert Burns around the globe.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present Day</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Burns Night Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Burns Night is now celebrated globally, with people enjoying traditional Burns suppers, recitals of Burns's poetry, and Scottish music.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a traditional Burns Supper</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a traditional Burns Supper, complete with haggis, neeps and tatties, and of course, a reading of Robert Burns' famous poem "Address to a Haggis."</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a Burns Night celebration</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many Scottish communities around the world hold Burns Night celebrations, so check to see if there is one in your area. It's a great way to experience the holiday with other people and learn about Scottish culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a traditional Scottish dish</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Try your hand at making a traditional Scottish dish, such as cock-a-leekie soup or cranachan. You can find many recipes online, and it's a delicious way to celebrate Burns Night.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a whisky tasting</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Whisky is a staple of Burns Night celebrations, so why not host a whisky tasting with your friends? You can try different types of Scottish whisky and learn more about this important part of Scottish culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read and discuss Robert Burns' poetry</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends together and have a reading and discussion of Robert Burns' poetry. You can learn more about his life and work, and gain a deeper appreciation for the holiday and its traditions.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the life and works of Robert Burns</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Burns Night is all about honoring Scotland's beloved national poet, Robert Burns. It's a great way to learn more about his life and contributions to Scottish culture, poetry, and music.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Burns Night is traditionally celebrated with a formal dinner, where guests enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine, music, and recitations of Burns' poetry. This event allows friends and family to come together and celebrate their shared heritage and love for Scotland.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes Scottish traditions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Burns Night is an important cultural event that helps preserve Scottish traditions and customs. From the reading (and sometimes even singing) of Burns' famous poem "Address to a Haggis" to wearing traditional Scottish attire like kilts or tartan, this holiday keeps the spirit of Scotland alive for future generations to appreciate.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Burns Night is a celebration of a famous Scottish poet</h3><p class='facts-text'>The holiday honours Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, who is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and one of the pioneers of the Romantic literary movement.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The first Burns supper was held in memoriam by Burns's friends</h3><p class='facts-text'>The tradition started five years after the poet's death, his friends organized a dinner to celebrate his life and works, over time evolving into a nationwide event now known as Burns Night.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>A traditional Burns supper involves reading Burns's poetry</h3><p class='facts-text'>A typical Burns supper typically includes readings of Burns's poetry and a meal of haggis (a traditional Scottish dish), neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>The event features a traditional Scottish dish: Haggis</h3><p class='facts-text'>Haggis, considered Scotland's national dish, is a savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver, and lungs) encased in the animal's stomach and traditionally accompanied by a nip of whisky.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Burns Night is celebrated globally</h3><p class='facts-text'>While it is a major event in Scotland, Burns Night has also gained traction internationally particularly in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, often with large Scottish diaspora.</p></div></div>
Burns Night is celebrated on January 25 every year. In 2024 Burns Night will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Jan 25
Wednesday
2024
Jan 25
Thursday
2025
Jan 25
Saturday
2026
Jan 25
Sunday
2027
Jan 25
Monday
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