This evening is the great tradition of Burns night where Scottish people unite to honour their greatest poet. Robert Burns was born on January 25th 1759 and died at the age of 37. A group of his friends started to gather on the anniversary of his death and the first Burns Clubs originated in the early 1800s.

His poetry captured the British imagination so that Burns night is not just confined to Scotland. It takes a creative and funny genius that can write beautiful poetry about love, life and haggis.

All around the country men will dress in kilts and women in evening dress to watch the haggis carried on a salver. A piper marches ahead, playing the bagpipes while a waiter brings a bottle of whisky and glasses for the chef and the piper.

The ‘Address to the Haggis, ’ Burns famous poem is read, and then the haggis is cut, to be served with swede, (neaps) and potato, (tatties.)

This is followed by a toast to Burns and some less formal toasts and ends with ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ (also by Burns) which is often sung as the clock strikes twelve on New Years Eve.

Who but the Brits could hold an evening of pomp and ceremony mingled with pipers, and poems to food with such comic seriousness? It is a wonderful tradition and a great shame that Burns never got to enjoy it himself.