In halls, on campus or in the city

We might be a few weeks into January, but the festivities aren't over yet!

The 25th of January is a special day in Scottish history as it marks the birthday of famous poet and lyricist, Robert Burns. There's no doubt there'll be lots going on to commemorate this special holiday, so we've put together a list of how you can join in on some of the festivities!

But first for those of you who might not be familiar with the Burns night celebrations, here's a little bit of history for you:

What is Burns Night and where did it start?

Burns Night traditions have been around for over 200 years, with people coming together every year to pay tribute to the life and work of one of the most celebrated Scotsmen, Robert Burns.

Robert Burns, also known as the 'Bard' of Scotland, is a key figure in Sottish identity and his poetry is admired for the way it celebrated traditional Scottish culture, so much so that he is now considered the national poet of Scotland.

The annual commemoration began on the fifth anniversary of Robert Burns' death in 1801 and started as a supper held by the late poet's friends. 

Since then, this tradition has continued and is now a national celebration across Scotland, with parliament welcoming the celebrations as a key cultural heritage event. Today, Burns night is still celebrated with a 'Burns supper' where people get together share readings of Robert Burns' poems and also enjoy traditional Scottish dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties.

How you can celebrate this year! 🎉

1. Join one of our events

We love celebrating the history of Scotland, which is why we're hosting Celeidh celebrations at the Scottish Borders Campus! This is a great opportunity to find out more about Scottish traditions, try something new and meet new people.

2. Have a Burns Night Meal

Why not celebrate Burns Night the traditional way, by tucking into some Scottish delicacies. Your local area is sure to have some restaurants with themed menus – such as Amber Restaurant in Edinburgh, where you can get a Burns Night three-course meal for £35 (available only on the 25th January, don't forget to book your table in advance). 

Or book into Flight Club for a Burns Night Brunch in Edinburgh from £33 per person where you'll get a Scotch cocktail on arrival, bottomless pizza, an hour of social darts and more!

Or want to save a bit of money? Try your hand at making haggis, neeps and tatties at home with this super easy and affordable recipe. 

3. Celebrate with brunch and darts 🎯

Or book into Flight Club for a Burns Night Brunch in Edinburgh from £33 per person. You'll get a Scotch cocktail on arrival, bottomless pizza, an hour of social darts and more!

Looking for more? The Scottish Storytelling Centre is hosting a range of Burns-inspired events from an 'Address to a Haggis' to special performances – check out the full programme. 

However you choose to celebrate this special night of Scottish culture, we hope you have fun - Happy Burns Night!