~ ... Robert Burns . .Night Supper~
Scotia Pipers
50 Meldrum Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY2 5HX Scotland
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1592 595730         Mob: +44 (0)771 498 6414 eMail: info@scotiapipers.co.uk

Book NOW for Burns Night, this is the second busiest time of the year for Pipers.

Rabbie Burns Suppers

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on the 25th January 1759. Every year in and around the 25th January the world celebrates the life and work of the most famous of all Scottish poets, Robert Burns 'The Bard' (1759-1796) by having Burns Suppers.  Every Burns Supper has its own special form and flavour, but they all share the common purpose of honouring Scotland's Bard. They range from extremely formal occasions to informal rave ups of drunkards and louts, they all follow the same basic principles, the eating of a Scottish meal (Haggis, Mince, Tatties and Neeps),  the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of Burn's Songs and Poetry.

No Burns Supper would be complete without a Piper to pipe in the haggis. Whether it be in South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada, or Russia a Piper is an essential part of any Burns Supper. The Piper will lead the procession of the haggis into the room, which will be on a tray carried by Poosie Nancy (She was the owner of a pub that Burns attended which was frequented by beggars), the Haggis will be led to a table, where the address to the Haggis will take place, "To a Haggis" will be read by the chairman or a previously designated reciter, we can also do the address for you if you wish. A whisky is offered to the Piper, Nancy and the Reciter, (It is somewhat of a tradition that the Piper slings back the whisky down his throat in one gulp, all eyes are on his glass, we don't disappoint here) This scene is the most important part of any Burns Supper, the audience will lap up the atmosphere, the piper then leads the procession back out of the hall, then dinner can be served.

The Piper can play a selection of Burns work on the bagpipe later on in the night after all the formal speeches are finished and the crowd have had a dram or three. This will really get the audience buzzing, the Piper can stick to playing selections of Burn's work or we can play other Scottish or modern melodies, this is entirely dependent on your requirements.
Scotia Pipers can also provide you with your very own Rabbie Burns, complete with costume, let the bard himself recite his own poems.

The traditional end to any Burns night is the song "Auld Lang Syne", this is a great sentimental Scottish song, it is sung by everyone in the room, often grouped together in a big circle on the dance floor. This is a great emotional moment to bring the piper in,  you can either have the piper lead the song, then stop for the crowd to start singing, or conversely have the piper finish the song off. This really will be a stirring, lasting memory of the night for the guests, when they wake up with their "sare heids" in the morning.

Addressing the Haggis at a St Andrews Ball in the Athenaeum Inter Continental, Athens.

Burns Suppers for Beginners

It's always great to get new enquiries through from people holding Burns Nights for the very first time. We are more than happy to offer advice on the 'Essential Guide to a Burns Supper'. For tourists coming to Scotland we can also organise a full Burns Supper for your party.

Don't delay, book your Burns Supper Bagpiper today, Pipers are very hard to come by on the 25th January.

Scotia Pipers
50 Meldrum Road, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY2 5HX Scotland
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1592 595730  ...... Mob: +44 (0)771 498 6414 eMail: info@scotiapipers.co.uk

All material is ©copyright of Scotia Pipers 2000, do not reproduce in any form without prior written consent.