The Poet Behind the Celebration

Robert Burns (January 25, 1759 - July 21 1796) was a famous poet born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. Some of his most famous poems include To A Mouse, Auld Lang Syne, and Tam O'Shanter. Burns is seen as the national poet of Scotland. Much of his work is written in a "light" Scots accent known as Lowland Scots, rather than English. His poem and song A Man's A Man For A' That was sung at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. His poem (and song) Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay (the last day of the year), and Scots Wha Hae served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country.

Burns Night, effectively a second national day, is celebrated on 25 January with Burns suppers around the world, and is still more widely observed than the official national day, Saint Andrew's Day. Burns suppers are most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but occur wherever there are Burns Clubs, Scottish Societies, expatriate Scots, or lovers of Burns' poetry. Burns suppers may be either formal or informal. Informal suppers typically include haggis (a traditional Scottish dish), Scotch whisky and the recitation of Burns' poetry. Formal dinners are hosted by organisations such as the Freemasons or St Andrews Societies and occasionally end in a céilidh (a traditional Gaelic social dance event) when ladies are present.

Tam O'Shanter

This is the title of a long, humorous poem by Robert Burns written in 1891, which tells the frightening story of a farmer called Tam O'Shanter who is chased by witches.

To the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns

The title of a toast (= when people drink a glass of alcohol to show respect for someone) to the poet Robert Burns, usually made at parties on Burns Night.