If you’ve never hosted a Burns Meal before, look no further! We have come up with a few simple traditions to make you look like a natural.
Chairman's welcome
The host warmly welcomes and introduces the guests and the evening's entertainment.
The Selkirk Grace
A short but important prayer read to usher in the meal. It goes as follows:
Some hae meat and cannae eat
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.
Piping in the Haggis & the address to the haggis
Don't panic if you don't have a set of bagpipes on hand, that is what youtube is for! Guests should normally stand to welcome the haggis into the room, which should be delivered on a silver platter by a procession comprising of the chef, the piper and the person who will 'address the Haggis'.
The 'address to the haggis' is recited after the haggis is brought into the room. The reader should have his knife poised at the ready. Whilst reading out the line 'His knife see Rustic-labour dight' he cuts the casing along its length, making sure to spill out some of the tasty gore within 'trenching its gushing entrails'. We love this video by actor Gareth Morrison reciting the address to the haggis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5f_yDLZBaA
Good luck with the pronunciation!
Toast to the Haggis
Prompted by the host, the audience now joins in the toast to the haggis. Raise a glass and shout: The haggis! Then it's time to serve the main course with its traditional accompaniments: neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).
The meal
Starter:
Traditional cock-a-leekie soup (we personally love having cullen skink)
Main course:
Haggis, neeps & tatties (Haggis wi' bashit neeps an' champit tatties);
Dessert:
Clootie Dumpling (a pudding prepared in a linen cloth or cloot) or Typsy Laird (a Scottish sherry trifle); we also recommend this cranachan cheesecake.
Followed by a cheeseboard with oatcakes and tea/coffee.
There are multiple moments for entertainment throughout the evening through singing, playing an instrument or reciting one of Robert Burns many poems.
The immortal memory
The main speaker takes the stage to deliver a speech on the life of Robert Burns: his literary genius, his politics, his highs and lows and, most importantly, his nationalism.
The toast to the lassies & reply toast to the lassies
The humorous highlight of any Burns Night comes with this toast, which is designed to praise the role of women in the world today. This should be done so by including some quotes from Burns's works. Particular reference to those present makes for a more meaningful toast. The toast concludes: To the Lassies! The women then have the chance to reply in a toast of their own.
Auld Lang Syne
The host closes the proceedings by inviting guests to stand and belt out a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Everyone else then joins hands and sings as one.
Make sure you are following our instagram page for a chance of winning our best selling haggis bung in time for burns night, You can also browse our range of haggis' here. All our products have 28 days use by on them and can be frozen.
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