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A Scottish piper in kilt uniform is followed by a server carrying a haggis, while guests stand and watch under ornate chandeliers.

A Poetic Party: Burns Night Explained

A Scottish Celebration

A man in a kilt addresses a haggis that sits on a table covered with a white cloth, while two men stand behind him.

The first Burns supper was held in July 1801, when nine of Robert Burns’ close friends gathered to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. Taking place at Burns’ Cottage in Alloway, the night included a meal of haggis, drams of Scotch whisky, performances of the poet’s work, and a speech in his honour.

Tradition and Heritage

The night was such a resounding success that they decided to hold it again, this time in honour of Burns’ birthday on 25th January, beginning the tradition we still enjoy to this day. Celebrated throughout the country, there is no place more atmospheric than the Fife Arms to mark this uniquely Scottish event.

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A man cutting into the haggis at a Burns Night celebration.
A Scottish piper in kilt uniform is followed by a server carrying a haggis, while guests stand and watch under ornate chandeliers.
People dancing together in a brightly lit hall decorated with antler-like chandeliers and wooden paneling for Burns Night.
Three people in kilts stand around a haggis sitting on pine needles on Burns Night to address it.

‘Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang ‘s my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’ need,
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see Rustic-labour dight,
An’ cut ye up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!’

Ye Pow’rs wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o’ fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware That jaups in luggies; But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer, Gie her a Haggis!

A stay at the Fife Arms for Burns Night includes music on the bagpipes, poetry readings, traditional Scottish fare of haggis, neeps, and tatties, and a lively ceilidh to end the evening.

A festive dining table with wine glasses, a lit candle, and a haggis presented with a knife inserted into it for Burns Night.

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