A Virtual Burns Nicht

In late January, Scots from around the world gather together to eat, drink and celebrate Scotland's national poet, the late Robert Burns. Unfortunately, this year many celebrations have been cancelled due to COVID.

So, like many other families, my family will be gathering at home tonight, enjoying some fine haggis, some good Scotch, and raising a glass to the memory of Rabbie Burns. And I hope you will do the same.

There are three parts of a traditional Burns Night that may be difficult to replicate in a home setting however, the Immortal Memory, the Toast to the Lassies and Reply to the Laddies, and the Address to the Haggis. So, as a public service, here are three videos from days gone by for your use and enjoyment.

First, the Immortal Memory.

And second, The Toast to the Lassies and the Reply to the Laddies.

And finally, as no Burns Night is complete without speaking in prose to a lump of meat, here is my amazing late father giving a rather unique Toast to the Haggis.

I hope this Burns Night allows you to create special memories with your family in a way that only Scotland can bring you.