Burns Night and 250th anniversary of Burns’ birth

24-25 January 2009

Homecoming Scotland 2009 begins in fine style, with a celebration of one of Scotland’s icons, Robert Burns. Events throughout Scotland are planned to mark this important birthday. See the full calendar of Homecoming Scotland events to see what else is planned.

Burns was born in Ayrshire. And this acts as the focus of the events, with the largest ever, international (connected by the internet) Burns Supper planned. That’s a lot of haggis and whisky! Burns would have approved.

Burns Suppers involve much more than just food and drink. Burns’ poem, Selkirk Grace is often recited to ‘pay homage’ to this nourishing and tasty delicacy. Burns is famous for being appreciative of the female form, both from his poems and his various attachments throughout his life. So it is no surprise that one of the staples of the Burns Supper is a ‘toast to the lassies’, expounding on their virtues and peculiarities.

Women only. Ladies aren’t excluded from this speech-making, with their chance to reset the balance lying in the ‘lassies’ reply.

Burns Supper tips

• Allow about 250g haggis per person
• Try serving it with neeps and tatties or alternatively, with clapshot, another Scottish dish

• Don't pour whisky over the haggis, as it spoils both the haggis and the whisky.

Stay in our Edinburgh apartments and organise your own Burns Supper. Apartments all over Edinburgh mean you can dip into traditional Scottish culture, with music and ceilidhs easily accessible so you can mix your entertainment to your own taste. Your fully equipped kitchen and lounge with TV and DVD player mean you can prepare your Homecoming Scotland Burns Supper and entertain friends in style.