{"id":3914,"date":"2026-09-23T14:33:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T14:36:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T12:36:51","slug":"burns-night-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/burns-night-scotland\/","title":{"rendered":"Burns Night in Scotland: Traditions, Menu and Where to Go"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every January 25th, the Burns Night in Scotland<\/strong> Robert Burns, the national poet, was born on this day in 1759. Around haggis, poems, and a glass of whisky, Scots share a Burns Supper, with family, friends, or at the pub. Having lived in Edinburgh since 2012, we explain how the evening unfolds and the best places to experience it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who was Robert Burns?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in southwest Scotland. The son of a farmer, he wrote poems and songs in Scots, the vernacular of the Lowlands, from a very young age. He died in Dumfries in 1796, at only 37 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His writings, however, remain known throughout the world. In fact, the world sings one of his songs every New Year: "Auld Lang Syne," which Burns collected and rewrote. "Tam o' Shanter" and "To a Mouse" are also among his most famous poems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The origins of Burns Night in Scotland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first Burns Supper took place in July 1801 at the poet's birthplace in Alloway. Nine of his friends gathered there to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. They enjoyed the evening so much that they decided to hold it annually, and later to fix it on his birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the tradition has spread around the world. In Scotland, however, it remains a highlight of winter, between Hogmanay and spring. We also feature it in our guide to Scottish traditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The order of events at a Burns Supper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each evening follows a specific order, which the hosts adapt in their own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n