by Anna Hann
posted on 23 January 2025
Celebrating Burns Night is getting more popular, extending far outside of Scotland, with an estimated 9.5 million people celebrating the occasion around the world. But for an authentic experience, make tracks to Scotland and join the festivities shoulder to shoulder with the locals with some haggis and whisky.
What is Burns Night?
Burns Night is celebrated every year to honour the life and legacy of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, on 25 January — Robert Burns’ birthday. This esteemed poet is best known for Scots language works like Auld Lang Syne and Address to a Haggis. Both are recited or sung as part of a traditional Burns Night.
The origins of Burns Night go way back. The first Burns Night supper was held five years after Robert Burns died in 1801. It was hosted by his friends at his home in Burns Cottage in Alloway (which you can still visit today), although the first Burns Supper was actually held on the anniversary of his death.
A few years later, the commemorations were moved to his birthday, and they have been a permanent fixture on Scotland’s cultural and social calendar ever since, a testament to Robert Burns’ influence and impact on Scottish literature.
How is Burns Night celebrated?
Skip forward a century or so, and Burns Night shows no signs of being forgotten. Today, it’s one of the most beloved Scottish traditions. Like at the first supper that started Burns Night, where Robert Burns’ friends feasted on sheep head and haggis, today’s Burns Night celebrations are marked with traditional Scottish food and drink. Alongside the traditional Burns Supper, there are poetry readings and singing, traditional Scottish dancing and bagpipe music, whisky toasts and speeches that commemorate Burns’ life.
Before the meal, the Selkirk Grace prayer is read. It goes like this:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be Thankit!
What do you eat for a Burns Night supper?
If you take part in Burns Night, after the Selkirk Grace, supper starts with a first course of soup, such as cock a leekie, Scotch broth or Cullen skink, a type of haddock and potato soup. Then, comes the famous haggis, served as the main course. At this point, the host or main speaker of the evening recites one of Burns’ poems, Address to a Haggis, and the haggis is ceremonially sliced open.
Haggis is not to everyone’s taste: this savoury pudding is made with sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, with chopped onion, oatmeal, suet, and spices. It’s not the only dish you’ll dine on as part of the main course. It wouldn’t be a typical Scottish haggis meal without a side of ‘neeps and tatties’, which are mashed potatoes and mashed turnips.
Don’t fill up on haggis though. Pudding is essential to the meal at a Burns Supper, often cranachan (Scottish oats with cream and raspberries) or a traditional Scottish trifle. A cheeseboard, usually with fine Scottish varieties like Lanark Blue, is passed around at the end of a Burns Supper. The meal typically ends with tea or coffee served alongside some Scotch whisky and more toasts.
What happens at the end of a Burns Supper?
At the end of a traditional Burns Night meal, everyone stands, links hands, and sings Auld Lang Syne. Toasts with whisky are an integral part of a traditional Burns Night celebration. At more formal dinners, the main toast of the night is the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, a heartfelt toast to Robert Burns’ life and works. Other traditional songs include The Star o’ Robbie Burns, or ‘Robbie Burns medleys’ of different songs composed by Robert Burns.
Where to celebrate Burns Night in 2025
Now you know a little more of the background, Burns Night might be something you want to get involved with. And while there are events around the country (and the world) to join in with, including at the Burns Club in London, it’s hard to beat the atmosphere in Scotland for Burns Night.
If the menu of a traditional Burns Supper doesn’t appeal (haggis isn’t for everyone, after all), those wanting to celebrate the poet in authentic Scottish style can visit some of Scotland’s beautiful locations to be inspired by the same scenery that captivated Robert Burns. But the good food and festivities of a traditional Burns Night Burns Supper might be too tempting to miss, and, who knows, you might discover you develop a taste for haggis.
Wildlife escapes
The Hermitage
If you’d rather skip the haggis and just enjoy the glorious Scottish scenery to commemorate poet Robert Burns, here’s an alternative for you. Nestled deep in a forest near Dunkeld, The Hermitage offers a magical landscape of towering Douglas firs and the spectacular Black Linn Falls. Take a tranquil walk along the River Braan, dotted with landmarks such as Ossians Hall and Cave. These landmarks perfectly complement the spirit of Robert Burns’ poetry.
Public transport doesn’t directly reach this hidden gem, so it’s recommended that you take a car to explore the surrounding area.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Feel confident driving in inclement weather and across steep terrain and drive a trustworthy Land Rover to climb steep Scottish hills easily.
BMW 1 Series
A smooth BMW is an excellent choice for a long drive and is conveniently located in central London for easy pick-up and drop-off.
Celebrations and scenery
Dumfries & Galloway Forest Park
For an exciting Burns Night, Dumfries & Galloway Forest Park, known as the home of Burns Night, hosts a huge gathering called the Big Burns Supper at Loreburn Hall. The wide ranging event features bagpipe music, comedy, a choir, and the chance to try a traditional dinner complete with haggis, neeps and tatties. The non-driver can indulge in a wee dram, too.
After the Burns Night celebrations, you can explore the less-travelled wild nature reserves in southern Scotland, which are ideal for hiking and spotting wildlife like red deer and peregrine falcons (the fastest bird in the world). It is located near the poet’s birthplace in Alloway and connects to Burns’ heritage. With no convenient public transport, booking a car on Turo is a must.
Mitsubishi Outlander
This rugged option is the perfect choice for driving on Scotland’s snowy roads, with all-wheel drive and snow tyres.
Nissan Qashqai
Complete with unlimited miles, this car is perfect for driving on windy roads through wild nature reserves. It has enough space for the family and large hiking boots.
Island adventures
Isle of Arran
You’ll get to the Isle of Arran by car ferry. Then, there are so many amazing views and places to visit, with heritage sites such as The Giants Graves or the gorgeous silver and pink beaches like Strabane, Pirnmill, or Kildonan. Car travel is the best way to enjoy this adventure and explore the Isle of Arran. The distance around the island is only 55 miles, so visitors have enough time to pack a picnic (maybe with some Burns Night classics — haggis, anyone?) and explore every corner of this natural beauty.
To honour Robert Burns, pop along to the Arran Distillery so the non-driver can try a wee dram of their Robert Burns single malt whisky.
Porsche 718 Boxster
The perfect choice for a smooth and luxurious journey. It is also convertible, so you can take in those panoramic coastal views—though that does mean braving the cold!
Audi A1
The nicely nimble Audi A1 is an excellent car for long journeys with just two of you. The integrated Bang & Olufsen speakers are perfect for those carefully curated road trip playlists.
Family fun
The Fife Arms
Celebrate Burns Night in true Scottish fashion at The Fife Arms in Cairngorms National Park. This a luxury hotel hosts a traditional Burns Supper with haggis neeps and tatties, poetry readings, musical performances, a fire performance, and a traditional ceilidh, a Scottish dance.
Take advantage of travelling to the area in a car, as this National Park boasts many fun activities and trails. It’s even home to the UK’s only sledge dog centre and our first permanent bridge-based bungee jump. For hiking enthusiasts, the second-highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Macdui, lies here. It is known for its panoramic views, but it is tricky to navigate in winter and is only suggested for experienced hillwalkers.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Enjoy a luxury drive with this automatic soft-top Mercedes in Edinburgh, perfect for exploring the Scottish countryside with an open roof.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
A practical 4×4 is a great vehicle to take across Scotland from Glasgow. It has lots of space to pack your hiking gear, too.
Artistic escapes
Kelburn Castle and Estate
In the theme of celebrating Robert Burns’ poetry, explore the other arts that Scotland has to offer. Combining historic charm and Brazilian art, Kelburn Castle features a unique graffiti mural and enchanting woodland walks.
It’s close to Glasgow, where you can find many Burns Night events, from murder mysteries to traditional celebrations with haggis dinners, but it still feels wonderfully secluded. Travelling by car is ideal, allowing exploration of this artistic retreat and nearby rural Ayrshire without relying on infrequent buses. Travelling eastwards from here, there are beautiful lochs to pass by and other historic features like Glengarnock Castle. You can even stop off in Alloway, where Robert Burns was born.
Volkswagen Up!
With excellent fuel efficiency, the tiny Volkswagen Up! is surprisingly good for long journeys and a fun and affordable car to take out exploring.
Ford Mondeo
This easy-to-drive, fuel-efficient car is great for the whole family and even your pet.
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