Everything you need to know about hosting the perfect (albeit intimate) Burns supper
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January 25th hosts one of the biggest nights in Scotland’s national calendar - Burns Night, marking the birth of the Bard and celebrating all that’s wonderful about Scotland. And of course, one of the biggest elements of Burns Night is a traditional Burns Supper, with all the trimmings and fanfare.
If you’re planning to host your own Burns supper this Saturday, be it an imitate affair or with loved ones over Zoom, read on for Hood’s guide to throwing the ideal Scots soiree, even if your numbers are more limited than you’d like them to be.
Setting the scene
It’s essential to set the right mood, whether your Burns Supper, regardless of that fact it’s likely an intimate affair.
Set the table with care, whether you’re catering for two or a larger family. We love the idea of a chic table runner scattered with elegant candlesticks, beautiful crockery, cutlery and a little dash of tartan too - who could resist?
There’s no need for a piper (unless you have one in your circle, of course!), instead you can set the scene with a playlist of the best Scottish artists - Team Hood are big fans of this one.
When it comes to the dress code, again, there’s no need to go OTT - you can of course request formalwear if that’s your vibe, but otherwise, just add a flash of tartan to your outfit for a little nod to the theme.
The food and drink
A traditional Burns supper is fairly straightforward, with hearty Scottish food on the menu. The only hard-and-fast rules are to serve haggis, neeps and tatties for the mains, with it being generally accepted that starters and desserts can be whatever you fancy - we recommend using your favourite Scottish ingredients though.
You could put together a grazing board or table to start your guests off, piled high with plenty of smoked salmon, delicious local Scottish cheeses, chutneys, oatcakes and fruit. Or for something more traditional, try serving a cock-a-leekie soup - this is a great recipe that will warm your guests in an instant, without overfilling them before the main event.
The main course is usually always a haggis, but don’t worry if you’re veggie. There are plenty of great vegetarian haggis options in the supermarkets these days! Serve your haggis with creamy mashed tatties, neeps and a whisky cream sauce; if fancy presentation is more your vibe, Simon Howie’s recipe for a stacked serving is perfect for an alternative take on the meal.
And for dessert, we think there’s nothing like the delicious cranachan to finish a meal. It’s super easy to pull together, and combines some hearty Scottish ingredients too - oats, whisky and raspberries, Scottish cream and local honey. This easy-to-follow recipe will help you whip up your cranachan in no time.
A tipple or two is also an essential part of a Burns celebration, so why not create a Scots-themed bar cart, stocked with your favourite Scottish tipples? It’s a sure-fire way to impress the guests and keep the party going into the wee small hours. Find some of Hood’s favourite Scottish spirits, beers and wines in this guide.
The traditions
As with any tradition going back so long, there are different takes on how a Burns supper should unfold. Each event is individual to the host, but it’s generally accepted that the running order should be along the lines of the following:
To start
The guests all gather, though this may be smaller this year, and the host says a few words to welcome everyone and introduce the evening. Everyone takes a seat at the table, and the Selkirk Grace is said.
The meal
The starter is served. After this, the haggis is piped in (you can find some appropriate music on Spotify), with the host then performing the famous Address to a Haggis. At the final line, the platter of haggis should be applauded and toasted by your guests, preferably with a dram of whisky! After the main meal, the dessert can then be served.
After dining
Someone should then perform the traditional tribute speech to Burns, Immortal Memory. You can then have another Burns recital, where someone can sing a Burns song or recite a poem of their choosing. Choose your speakers wisely for the next two elements—a Toast to the Lassies and then a Reply to the Toast of the Lassies, which are often thought of as the most humorous elements of any Burns celebration. To have more voices around the table, it might be a good idea to coordinate this element at least with friends and family over Zoom.
Once the laughter has subsided, you can have the final Burns recital of the evening, after which you can throw in whatever added elements you like - a ceilidh dance around the kitchen, a virtual quiz, or any other activity you like, as long as you’re having fun!
The end of the evening
When you’re all tuckered out and ready for the evening to end, the host gives a ‘vote of thanks’, thanking the guests for attending and suggesting politely that it’s time for everyone to leave. It also seems fitting for the last song of the evening to be Auld Lang Syne —the only way to round off a successful Burns Supper.