Who was Robert Burns and how is he celebrated?

Scotland is celebrating Burns Night 2024 – the 265th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Here's all you need to know about the nation's favourite poet, and how to host a Burns Supper. 

Who was Robert Burns? 

Robert Burns – aka Robbie Burns, Rabbie Burns, or Scotland's Favourite Son – was a poet and songwriter.

Born into rural poverty in a two-roomed cottage in Alloway on Scotland's west coast on 25 January 1759, Burns became a prolific poet who wrote about everyday life using a Scottish vernacular that was already under threat from English in his own lifetime.

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On 21 July 1796, Burns died at the age of 37, leaving behind a body of work that has "the power to surprise, entertain and touch your heart". His poems and songs "fall largely into three categories – thought-provoking, romantic and humorous", said Visit Scotland.

Two and a half centuries later his work is still celebrated in Scotland and beyond – although few people now know more than a handful of his poems.

How did Burns Night begin and how is it celebrated? 

The traditional Burns Supper began a few years after the poet's death in 1796. The first to be "hosted by the Burns Club was held on 29 January 1802, on what was thought to be Burns's birthday", said The Independent. "However, the following year the discovery of parish records revealed that the late poet's birthday was actually four days prior."

Today it has become a celebration of all things Scottish, including whisky, the bagpipes and Highland dancing.

There is a traditional order of events for the night's celebrations, involving poetry, haggis, toasts and perhaps a chaotic ceilidh.

Most famous of all the traditions is the recitation of "Address to a Haggis", a poem written by Burns in 1786. This is usually performed over the meal's centrepiece, before it is cut open and eaten. 

What are his famous poems and works?

By far the best-known Burns composition is the traditional New Year's Eve anthem "Auld Lang Syne". Other famous works include the epic poem "Tam o' Shanter" and the romantic "A Red, Red Rose". His works have influenced others, "inspiring the title of John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' and even Michael Jackson, who was reportedly a fan of the writer which led to the creation of hit track 'Thriller'", said The Scotsman.

What should you eat and drink at a Burns Night supper? 

"Take your tastebuds on a Highland fling with classic Burns Night dishes," said BBC Good Food. 

Start the meal with cullen skink soup, made with smoked haddock, or chicken and leek soup, known as cock-a-leekie. Followed this with haggis, described by The Independent as "a savoury pudding containing minced sheep's heart, liver and lungs bound with onion, oatmeal, suet, stock and a selection of spices". BBC Good Food also offers a vegan haggis recipe. Haggis is traditionally accompanied by neeps (turnip, or swede) and tatties (potatoes). For dessert, try cranachan (a traditional Scottish dish of oats, raspberries and cream).

It's also a tradition on 25 January to raise a glass of Scotch whisky with a toast "to Rabbie".

Haggis – though full of cholesterol – is high in vitamins A, B6, B12 and C, along with minerals like folate, selenium and iron.

How can you host your own Burns Night supper?

If you're planning to host a Burns Night supper on 25 January, then bear in mind this definition of the event from Visit Scotland: "haggis, whisky and poetry with lots of fun and laughter". The tourism board also has Burns Night menus, running order and entertainment ideas.

To start: Everyone gathers, the host says a few words, everyone sits and the "Selkirk Grace" is said: "Some hae meat and canna eat/And some wad eat that want it/But we hae meat and we can eat/And sae the Lord be thankit."

And in English that is: "Some have meat but cannot eat/Some have none that want it/But we have meat and we can eat/So let the Lord be thanked."

The meal: The starter is served, the haggis is carried in, accompanied by bagpipes, the host reads the "Address to a Haggis" (Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face/Great chieftain o' the pudding-race!…, everyone toasts the haggis then it’s cut open and served.

After the meal: Burns songs may be sung, and poems read. The most usual elements are a speech given praising the poet, in particular "his literary genius, his politics, his highs and lows, his human frailty and – most importantly – his nationalism". This is followed by a toast: to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns. Then there's a "Toast to the Lassies", followed by a reply to the "Toast to the Lassies".

To end the night: The host gives a vote of thanks, everyone stands and sings "Auld Lang Syne", crossing their arms and joining hands at the line "And there's a hand, my trusty fere!/And gie's a hand o’ thine".