Looking for something to do to celebrate Burns Night? Well, here’s our round-up of virtual celebrations and food and drink:
Burns Big Night In (with National Trust for Scotland) (Saturday, 23 January, 7 – 830pm)
This virtual event will present music from Scottish folk band Talisk, a cocktail masterclass courtesy of The Glenlivet, some exclusive insights into the life of Robert Burns from the experts, plus some very special guests who’ll bring the traditional Burns Supper to life including the world-famous Address to the Haggis.
As an optional extra, revellers can order a ‘Box of Braw’ for two to be delivered to their home. Filled with treats and a few wee nips to set the evening off the box also contains some exclusive Burns-related memorabilia including a print of Burns’ original Auld Lang Syne manuscript.
Ticket prices from £18 per person (extra cost for the Box of Braw). For more information and to book, click here.
Burns Night – Spirit of Scotland Tour
January 28th 8pm ET
We invite you to come to celebrate Robert “Rabbie” Burns – Scotland’s Bard. With the compliments of the Scottish Government, we present The Dram Good Laddies, who will take us on an unforgettable evening of libations, laughter, storytelling and history throughout a virtual tour of Scotland. We shall end the evening with some Burns poetry and an Address to the Haggis! It promises to be a night you will never forget.
Register now for your chance to join The Scottish Government Burns Night and see the greatest wee country in the world – SCOTLAND!
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS
Big Burns Supper (25 January, 7pm)
Scotland’s largest contemporary Burns celebration Big Burns Supper is going digital for the first time in 2021. Marking the festival’s 10th anniversary, Janey Godley’s Big Burns Supper dishes up a very special broadcast connecting Scotland to the world with contributions from local, national and international artists to help celebrate Burns Night in a way that helps give everyone a much-needed lift and a laugh.
Broadcast for free across Big Burns Supper’s Facebook and YouTube channels, the special 75-minute digital broadcast welcome back a cracking selection of artists including KT Tunstall, Dougie Maclean, Donovan, Tide Lines and Skerryvore who have performed at the festival over the last ten years. Scots comic Janey Godley will host from her own living room as she prepares a Burns supper while introducing guests and festival friends throughout the evening. Edinburgh Festival favourites Le Haggis will also be making an appearance providing burlesque, comedy and mayhem.
The event is free. For more information, click here.
Macsween Burns Supper (25 January, 7pm)
Edinburgh-based haggis brand Macsween is aiming to bring (possibly) the largest virtual Burns Supper to homes across the globe. Teaming up with Scottish comedy actor Karen Dunbar, alongside Dr. Rachel Barrie, master blender for Benriach distillery and described as The First Lady of Scotch whisky’, the event will be aired on Macsween’s Facebook page at 7pm.
The event will be broadcast here and anyone can join in the fun for free.
Burns&Beyond (23 – 25 January)
Burns&Beyond with Johnnie Walker returns in January 2021, celebrating the life and legacy of Robert Burns through traditional and contemporary art and culture from across Scotland and Beyond.
Set against a theme of Love, Hope and Kindness, Burns&Beyond 2021 presents a free online programme of live music and poetry from Lucky Middlemass’s Tavern, curated by both Aidan O’Rourke (Lau) and arts collective Neu! Reekie!, a series of online performances to help everyone celebrate their very own Burns Night at Hame and an online celebration of the Burns Collection at the National Museum of Scotland. Following a sell-out appearance at last year’s festival which helped raise over £10,000 for charity, KT Tunstall returns with a special online Burns&Beyond performance of Ae Fond Kiss.
For the full programme, click here.
Burns Night whisky tastings with Once upon a Whisky and the Glasgow Distillery Company
(21, 25 and 28 January, 7pm – 8.30pm)
For this online whisky tasting, guests can try five premium whiskies from the Glasgow Distillery Company (which are home delivered) and discover all the secrets behind the first whisky distillery in Glasgow in over 100 years.
Tickets are £35 (***only available for UK and EU residents) and can be booked here
‘ Burns Box’ and virtual poetry readings from Wedgwood the Restaurant
Edinburgh’s Wedgwood the Restaurant has launched a ‘Burns Box’, available UK nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night in lockdown. The Scottish feast includes a copy of Robert Burns’ famous poem Address to a Haggis, a dram of whisky to toast Scotland’s national bard and a five-course Burns supper created by chef patron Paul Wedgwood. The menu features Whisky and Douglas Fir cured salmon, Wild Highland heather moor grouse ham and a Chocolate and clootie dumpling brownie.
To finish off the experience Paul Wedgwood will be taking to Wedgwood’s social media on 25 January to pay tribute to the poet, reading the Address to a Haggis at 7:30pm with a wee dram of whisky.
The Burns Night box is priced at £140 for two people and includes free UK nationwide delivery. Additional wine selections from the Wedgwood wine cellar will also be available to order. Click here for more info.
Glenfiddich x Five March Burns Night Meal Kit
Delivering to 13 Glasgow postcode areas, Chef Pete MacKay at Five March has produced a quintessential Scottish menu for Burns Night. Featuring House cured salmon, buckwheat blinis, herb creme fraiche, salmon caviar and pickled fennel, followed by Venison, haggis croquette, cauliflower puree, swede kimchi, all dishes will be complete with detailed instructions on how to assemble each course yourself.
For vegetarians, Chef MacKay has created Roast baby carrots, labne, honey, togarashi and hazelnut oatcakes to start, and Lentil haggis, potato, beetroot fondant and shallot tart tatin for mains, with all dishes followed by a delectable dessert of Classic treacle tart, raspberry mascarpone cream.
Each package will be accompanied with a tasting kit of Glenfiddich’s celebrated 12, 15 and 18 Year Old bottles, as well as a virtual whisky tasting with Glenfiddich’s Brand Ambassadors who will explore each whisky and share their expertise.
For every dining experience purchased, Glenfiddich will donate £10 to either The Drinks Trust or The BEN in Scotland, as part of the William Grant & Sons’ UK #STANDFAST campaign to support the On Trade and Hospitality industry. Adam Handling will also match this for any of the ‘Hame by Adam Handling’ kits sold.
For more info click here.
Le Petit Cochon Burns Night meal for two
This stunning-looking meal for two consists of a mini Venison Wellington, potato & venison pie, haggis, neeps & tatties, bacon fat skirlie, jus.
You can collect on Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th January. Order by the 21st of January here.
Ian Brown Restaurant
This meal features the classic cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps and tatties and roast beef among other delights. What’s not to love about that? The three course meal is priced at £20pp, available from the 22nd – 24th of January.
Call 0141-638-8422, Email ian@ianbrownrestaurant.co.uk, or Facebook message to place your order.
More info here.
A Wee Dram
Burns Night meal & virtual whisky tasting at home with Ollie’s
Ollie’s bistro on Nithsdale Road has collaborated with Edrington-Beam Suntory and Highland Park to bring the ultimate Burns Night experience at home.
Collect a three-course Burns Night meal of Leek and Potato Soup, Haggis or Veggie Haggis with Neeps and Tatties and a Highland Park 12 year old whisky cream sauce and Cranachan made with Highland Park. As part of the meal you’ll also receive a dram of Highland Park 12 and access to an exclusive virtual whisky tasting with Edrington Beam Suntory.
Experience a virtual introduction to Highland Park from Whisky Specialist, Teddy Joseph as well as an address to the Haggis from Scott McCaffer and a fascinating whisky tasting with Martin Markvardsen. All orders can be collected from Ollies on Saturday 23rd between 11am – 3pm.
To order book on Ollie’s website between Sunday 17th – Wednesday 20th.
Cocktails: a Caorunn Burns Night Martini
Scottish gin makers Caorunn have come up with their own Burn’s Night cocktail, to celebrate Scottish distillation differently than just with whisky.
Their recipe for a ‘twisted’ version of the classic martini is made with Caorunn Gin, Old Pulteney Whisky and Vermouth with Apple.
Mix together 20ml Caorunn Gin with 5ml Old Pulteney 12y, 25ml Italicus, 30ml Vermouth Dry and garnish with a slice of apple.
