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Burns Night 2024: 10 ideas to celebrate Robert Burns

Poetry recitals are, of course, optional.

Burns Night 2024: 10 ideas to celebrate Robert Burns
Marc Chacksfield
25 January 2024

When the calendar reads January 25, it can mean only one thing: Burns Night is officially upon us. A time to celebrate the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns, there's plenty of whiskey (and non-whiskey) based mischief to be had.

But even if you cringe involuntarily at the mere mention of poetry, Burns Night can still be the ultimate excuse for celebration - and to immortalise the life of a Scottish hero, naturally. There's never been a better time to try a new whisky (or two) at home, pop out for a slap-up Burns Night supper or even undertake a ceremonial cutting of the haggis with an oversized sword, complete with neeps and tatties.

We've dug deep with a round-up of the ultimate Burns Night festivities, tipples and we've even answered a few of those burnsing questions you undoubtedly have. Yes, we went there...

Additional writing: Danielle De Wolfe


When is Burns Night?

Burns Night is 25th January and is traditionally celebrated with some haggis and a wee dram or two of whisky.

What is Burns Night in aid of?

More than a simple celebration of all things Scottish, Burns Night marks the birthday of Robert Burns. 'Rabbie' Burns is Scotland's best-known poet and if you grew up in Scotland, like our editor, then you should have many a certificate with his face on after correctly reciting his poems.

what's the best way to celebrate?

As mentioned, we've trawled the internet for some of the best ideas and events this Burns night. From haggis hacking to whiskey sipping, we've got it covered. Plus, there are a few must-try activities for good measure. Read on for the ultimate round-up of Burns Night festivities.

What's the deal with poetry?

Whether you're an avid fan of poetry or not, there's something nostalgic about dusting off an old poetry book and dramatically reading it aloud in front of a room of people. After all, who doesn't love a fun little challenge? But where to begin, I hear you cry.

Well, there's 'To a Mouse' which has the immortal line: "Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie, O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!" Burns also wrote Auld Lang's Syne (you know, the song you only know the first verse to and sing drunkenly on New Year's Eve) and the brilliant Tam o' Shanter.

Head to the fantastic Scottish Poetry Library for more examples or grab yourself a book of Robert Burns poetry on Amazon to give it a go.

What should I eat and drink on Burns Night?

Haggis and whisky. That's pretty much it really, alongside neeps and tatties. If you want to be a little more traditional, then when eating the haggis you can recite Rabbie Burns' Address To a Haggis before devouring the thing.

Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

1. Glengoyne 21 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Buy now from Amazon

If you're looking for an excuse to invest in a timeless bottle of whisky that's sure to impress even the most discerning palate, you might want to consider this. Sure, it's not your everyday purchase, but Burns night is a great reason to select a timeless bottle - particularly when there's a £25 saving. Those looking for an extra special bottle might also want to take a look at this exclusive Tamdhu 18 Year Old - the only Scotch whisky to exclusively mature in the finest Oloroso Seasoned Sherry Casks, imported from Jerez. Think citrus notes and honey-baked oats. Delicious.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

2. Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2024

Buy now from Amazon

This Burns Night, gift yourself the present of education - and by that we mean picking up a copy of the ultimate whisky guide. You'll be waxing lyrical about your favourite drams in no time courtesy of this succinct paperback. A comprehensive and thoroughly researched guide to the world's best whiskies ever produced, you'll be flexing your muscles in no time where whisky knowledge is concerned.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

3. Milroy's Drams to Your Door

Buy now from Milroy's now

As anyone who enjoys a dram will know, Milroy’s of Soho is the ultimate whisky lovers paradise. Packed with every kind of offering you could wish for, this legendary Soho spot is a library of single malts. What you might not know is that the famed drinking spot (complete with underground speakeasy) also offers a door-to-door delivery service. The packaging is sublime. The whiskey, even better. Ensuring a dram is delivered direct to your address in next to no time, this definitely proved to be one of the most fruitful ideas born out out of lockdown.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

4. Tour of Scotland Whisky Tasting Set

View now at The Whiskey Exchange

Prepare for the ultimate whisky tasting experience with this set. Taking you on a journey through Scotland via the country’s great whisky distilleries, including newcomers to the scene and longstanding giants of the industry. It's a true bounty where drams are concerned, showcasing the vast spectrum of flavours found in Scotch whisky - think smoky and maritime to bright and tropical. Slàinte Mhath!

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

5. Pop-Up Ceilidh At Small Beer

View now on Design My Night

Prepare for dancing, drams and dinner as part of this delightful knees up. Taking place on Saturday January 27 (no need to worry about weekday hangovers) and February 3, 2024, ready yourself for Burns ceilidh and supper -complete with piper and dramatically read 'Ode to the haggis'. You'll even get a free dram of whiskey for the toast.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

6. Grab Yourself Some Tartan

View now at Scotland Shop

If you've got Scottish roots, there's never been a better excuse to nab yourself some tartan. Sometimes a little goes a long way - and the Scotland Shop's range of tartan accessories are perfect for adding pazazz to that Burns Night outfit. Even those without Scottish heritage will look the part with this fancy wee bow-tie in their accessories collection. Created from pure wool woven in Scotland, there's a range of brooches, ties, suspenders and more to choose from.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

7. Highland Park Triskelion

View now on Amazon

One of the lowest prices we've ever spotted for this fine bottle of whisky, this delectable dram is a special edition worth investing in. A Single Malt Scotch Whisky that dances on the tongue, this Highland Park offering is an amalgamation of three master blenders combined vision and hard work. Gordon Motion, Max McFarlane and John Ramsay came together to explore the influence of wood and cask seasoning on Highland Park Whisky. And, we have to say, it's a taste sensation

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

8. Whiskey Smoker Kit

View now on Amazon

If you're after a bit of a showstopper, look no further than this smoking cocktail kit. The ultimate way to impress guests popping over this Burns Night - and beyond, the set includes cocktail smoker chimney, a stainless steel filter and 4 cans of wood chips in different flavours. Ideal for those wishing to liven up a cocktail, the chips come in apple, cherry, oak and walnut varieties with an easy-to-use manual. Easy to carry, bring it along to your next party as a means of impressing those cocktail connisseurs.

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9. The Drinks Drop x Glenfarclas - The Burns Night Collection

Buy now from The Drinks Drop

We were really impressed with these whisky cocktails from The Drinks Drop. Packaging wise, it's slim enough to slip through your letter box. But it's what inside that counts and here you have two bespoke cocktails that use Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Whisky.

The cocktails are: a Strawberry and Balsamic Rob Roy (Strawberry infused Glenfarclas 105 Whisky, Cocchi Rosa, Strawberry Aperitif, Balsamic Vinegar, Orange Bitters); and Coffee and Cacao Bobby Burns (Cacao infused Glenfarclas 105 Whisky, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Chcoclate Wine, Benedictine, Chocolate Bitters). Two very different cocktails but both are sure to bookend your Burns Night celebrations beautifully.

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Burns Night 2024: 10 things to do

10. Engraved Smokehead Unfiltered

£49
View now on Smokehead

We are big fans of whisky brands trying to do something a little different and that's exactly what Smokehead is doing. With the tagline, Not For Everyone, Smokehead is aiming its whiskies at the non traditionalists - and this bottle of Smokehead Unfiltered – a dram as bold and untamed as the man himself. To honour the rebel spirit of Burns Night, this exclusive is truly untamed and not for the faint hearted - engraved with The Bard's own words.

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