IT has been a long January, so why not make Burns Night a bit more special this year? One thing we know for sure about our beloved bard is that he loved a bit of a party. So polish your dancing shoes, practice your poetry, and take your pick of the best Burns Night suppers, ceilidhs and events taking place across Scotland this year.
Burns Supper, The Taybank, January 25
For a gorgeous evening of culinary delights, book in for a very special Burns Night at The Taybank in Dunkeld. The Burns Supper includes four courses in the elegant restaurant overlooking the river, with an address to the haggis and dram, and live music from skilled local musicians. After dinner, the tunes are sure to continue in the lively bar downstairs. (£60)
The Big Burns Bash, Kinross Golf Club, January 28
Enjoy a traditional two course dinner with songs, music and poetry, then get your dancing shoes on for a big ceilidh with The Mad Ferret Band at The Big Burns Bash in Kinross. (£25)
www.kleo.org.uk/diary/big-burns-bash
Burns & Beyond presents Kinnaris Quintet and Friends, Edinburgh, January 29
This one’s a real treat. An evening with some of Scotland’s finest traditional musical talents. Headlining is Glasgow-based Kinnaris Quintet, featuring an all-strings instrumental line-up of fiddles from Laura Wilkie, Aileen Reid and Fiona MacAskill, mandolin from Laura-Beth Salter and guitar from Jenn Butterworth. They’ll
be joined by special guests, award-winning vocalists Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis. (£20)
The Burns Night Dinner and Hoolie, Mosset Tavern, Forres, January 27
Take your partners for a right Highland hoolie at the Mosset Tavern in Forres. Come for a traditional Burns Supper followed by a ceilidh (adults £25/ children £15), or just the ceilidh (£5). With live music from Calum MacPhail and Sean Cousins of Ho-ro, this promises to be a cracking night out for all the family.
www.mossettavern.co.uk/product/burns-night-dinner-and-hoolie/
Burns Ceilidh Supper, Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom January 27 and 28
Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom is all set to make your Burns Night go with a swing. After a classic Burns Supper of haggis, neeps and tatties followed by sticky toffee pudding, the Iron Broo Ceilidh Band will put you through your paces and have you dancing all night. (£35)
www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/beach-ballroom/whats-beach-ballroom
Burns Feast at Ballintaggart Farm, Perthshire, January 28
Enjoy a very special long table dinner at beautiful Ballintaggart Farm. The menu features crispy homemade haggis with pickles and smoked potato, hand dived Isle of Skye scallops with dulse seaweed, wood-fired venison, confit venison breast, winter endive and celeriac, and rhubarb and whisky creme caramel with toasted oats. This promises to be a truly special evening, and a feast worth writing poetry about. (£55)
Alternatively, order a Ballintaggart Burns Box (£45) with all the goodies you’ll need for a memorable Burns night at home online at:
shop.ballintaggart.com/products/ballintaggart-burns-box
Burns Night at Garrison West, Fort William, January 27-29
Coorie in and celebrate the bard at Garrison West on Fort William High Street for a Burns Supper with a twist. Start with langoustine and scallop lasagne with langoustine bisque, followed by slow cooked beef with haggis, potato terrine, root vegetables and whisky jus. For pudding, it’s delicious clootie dumpling with custard and brown butter ice cream. We’re sure Burns would approve. (£45 – three courses and a dram)
The Rabbit, Troon, January 23-28
Chef Sagar Massey, a 2022 MasterChef: The Professionals finalist, fuses Scottish and Indian flavours in his very special Burns Night menu at The Rabbit.
Try haggis with spiced neeps, cumin and potato mousse, and rump of scotch beef with Kashmiri chilli skirlie, whisky and Arran mustard sauce.
On Burns Night, Massey is joined by Marine & Lawn’s executive chef Derek Johnstone on the pass for one night only with plenty of culinary surprises (£55).
www.sevenrooms.com/events/therabbit
Bairn Burns Supper, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, January 29
This one will get the wee ones birlin for Burns at a special ceilidh just for bairns and their grown-ups.
There will be stories and music, a wee bit of haggis to try, and plenty of dancing with ceilidh callers to show you the moves. (Free, ticketed)
www.burnsandbeyond.com/events/bairns-burns-supper/
Contini Edinburgh Burns Supper, January 27 and 28
Contini’s annual Burns ceilidh is a sell-out every year and a great night out.
The haggis is piped in and suitably addressed before a delicious seasonal menu is served with a dram. After dinner, take the floor with the Shenanigans. (£60)
