Burns Night in Scotland

Raise a glass, recite a verse and celebrate Scotland’s National Bard. Each January, Burns Night fills tables and gathering places with haggis and whisky, poetry and song, as old traditions bring friends, families and communities together in celebration of Robert Burns.

Who was Robert Burns?

Robert Burns (1759 – 96) was a Scottish poet and songwriter born in Alloway, Ayrshire. The son of a tenant farmer, he grew up working on the land and drew inspiration from nature, love, friendship, politics and everyday life. Writing in both Scots and English, he became one of Scotland’s most celebrated literary figures and is now known as Scotland’s national poet.

What is Burns Night?

Burns Night is Scotland’s annual celebration of Robert Burns, the country’s National Bard. Held on 25 January (his birthday) the tradition brings together poetry, food, music and storytelling in honour of the man behind works including Auld Lang Syne, Tam o’ Shanter and Address to a Haggis.

At the heart of the celebration is the Burns Supper, where haggis takes centre stage alongside recitations, speeches, traditional Scottish food and a dram or two of whisky.

What is Robert Burns famous for?

Burns wrote hundreds of poems and songs during his short life. His best-known works include To a Mouse, Tam o’ Shanter, A Red, Red Rose and Address to a Haggis. He also collected and adapted traditional Scottish songs, including Auld Lang Syne, which is now sung around the world at New Year.

Where did Robert Burns live?

Burns was born in Alloway in 1759 and spent much of his early life in Ayrshire. He later lived and farmed at Ellisland, near Dumfries, before settling in Dumfries itself. He died there in 1796, aged just 37. Today, places connected with his life and work can be visited across Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway.

How did Burns Night begin?

The first Burns Supper was held at Burns Cottage in Alloway in 1801, five years after the poet’s death. Nine of his friends gathered to remember him over a meal, recite his poetry and give speeches in his honour. The occasion proved so popular that another supper followed, helping establish a tradition that continues today.

Burns Night explained video

New to Burns Night? Discover the story behind the celebration and its traditions, from piping in the haggis to poetry and Auld Lang Syne.

Why does Burns still matter?

Hear why the actor James Cosmo connects with the life and work of Robert Burns.

“Burns remains with us because he speaks of eternal truths and speaks to the human spirit and soul so clearly.”

A lifelong admirer of Burns, James shares what the poet and his work mean to him, his favourite Burns traditions and why the annual celebration continues to resonate today.

Burns remains for all time the poet of the people.

Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer

A Burns Supper is the heart of Burns Night, bringing people together around the table for Scottish food, poetry, music and plenty of good humour.

What happens at a Burns Supper?

The sound of the pipes announces the arrival of the haggis, carried into the room before Burns’ famous Address to a Haggis is performed with theatrical flourish. Then it’s time to tuck into haggis, neeps and tatties, (haggis, turnips and mashed potato) raise a dram and toast the life and words of Scotland’s National Bard.

Welcome your guests

The evening traditionally begins with guests gathering for a drink before taking their seats.

Pipe in the haggis

The haggis is carried into the room in procession, traditionally accompanied by a piper.

Address to a Haggis

Burns’ famous poem is performed over the haggis, with plenty of theatrical flourish, before everyone raises a toast.

Enjoy the Burns Supper

Haggis, neeps and tatties are the traditional centrepiece, although menus range from formal dinners to relaxed suppers.

Speeches and poetry

Expect Burns recitations and traditional speeches, including the Immortal Memory celebrating the poet’s life and legacy.

Finish with Auld Lang Syne

The evening traditionally ends with guests joining hands to sing one of Burns’ most famous works.

Host your own Burns Supper

Can’t make it to an organised celebration? Bring Burns Night to your own table with Scottish food, poetry and music.

Serve haggis, neeps and tatties, choose a few favourite Burns poems to read aloud and raise a dram to Scotland’s National Bard. Add traditional music or a ceilidh playlist and finish the evening with Auld Lang Syne.

Haggis, neeps and tatties - make the traditional centrepiece of a Burns supper.

Scottish recipes - find more Scottish dishes for your Burns Night menu.

Scotch whisky - discover Scotland’s national drink and find the perfect dram for your toast.

You don’t need to be Scots – or know your Burns poetry by heart – to take part.

Hotels, restaurants, cultural venues and communities across Scotland host Burns Suppers each January, ranging from traditional formal dinners to relaxed celebrations with live music and ceilidh dancing.

Burns Big Birthday Bash

Alloway, South Ayrshire, 23 January 2027

Celebrate in Burns’ birthplace with a family-friendly ceilidh at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, complete with piping, haggis and dancing.

Burns an’ a’ that

Stirling Castle, 24 January 2027

Meet characters from Burns’ world, hear Tam o’ Shanter and join music, dancing and Burns traditions throughout Stirling Castle.

Traditional Burns Night at the Globe Inn

Dumfries, January

Raise a glass in Burns’ favourite Dumfries howff (pub) with a traditional celebration combining Scottish food, poetry and music.

Burns Celebration at Glenapp Castle

Ballantrae, South Ayrshire, 22–23 January 2027

Mark Burns Night in Ayrshire with a grand banquet, traditional supper, whisky, piping and an evening ceilidh.

Burns wrote about everything from love and friendship to politics, nature and everyday life, often using the Scots language. His poems and songs remain at the heart of Burns Night celebrations.

Address to a Haggis

The theatrical centrepiece of the traditional Burns Supper.

Auld Lang Syne

Burns’ world-famous song of friendship and remembrance sung to mark the start of the new year.

A Man’s a Man for A’ That

A stirring expression of equality and human worth.

Ae Fond Kiss

One of Burns’ most celebrated love songs.

Tam o’ Shanter

Burns’ supernatural tale of witches and a wild journey through the Ayrshire night.

Discover some of the best loved poems with Scottish Poetry Library or read more poems by Robert Burns from Poetry Foundation.

Discover To a Mouse with James Cosmo

Hear legendary Scottish actor James Cosmo recite To a Mouse, voted Scotland’s favourite Scots poem, and bring Burns’ words to life.

The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, for promis’d joy!

To a Mouse