BURNS CELEBRATION

Taking on the Burns Challenge....

Burns Night is looming and the trials of this last year has meant the annual celebration of Scotland’s national poet has had to be dramatically redefined. The ontrade isn’t open, and you can’t invite anyone round for a rip-roaring night. But never fear, as Scotland’s on-trade has shown, a challenge is an opportunity and many have used the trying business times to diversify their business by offering takeaway, and many have joined forces with suppliers and whisky companies to allow their customers to celebrate in style. Well done to everyone who made the effort.

Wedgewood Restaurant, Edinburgh Edinburgh’s Wedgwood the Restaurant created a traditional five course feast for their customers and also included a copy of Robert Burns’ famous poem ‘Address to a Haggis’, and a dram of whisky to toast the national bard. Chef patron Paul Wedgwood ‘Burns Box’, offers: whisky and Douglas Fir cured salmon, wild Highland heather moor grouse ham and a chocolate and clootie dumpling brownie. Paul is also taking to social media on 25 January to pay tribute to the poet, he will read the Address to a Haggis at 7:30pm with a wee dram of whisky. Contini, Edinburgh Contini Edinburgh has taken the challenge to the extreme! Not only are delivering in their home town but are delivering their Burns extravaganza around the country too. Called ‘Celebrate Burns at Home’ it included a nip of Glengoyne 10 year old single malt Scotch Whisky. They’ve even sorted music, by creating a special Burns Spotify playlist supporting only Scottish artists and have included a link to a wee Address to the Haggis. Whisky Howff, Stonehaven Stonehaven’s Whisky Howff meanwhile embraced technology organising a virtual Burns Supper hosted by Colin Sim and Robert Lindsay of six°north. Graham Robson will give a live streamed address to the haggis on Zoom on 23rd January and they included five 30ml drams of whisky from Mr Sim’s collection, three beers from six°north and haggis, and neeps and tatties with a whisky sauce from The Marine Hotel.

The Tayberry, Broughty Ferry Chef Patron, Adam Newth who owns the his own take on a meal fit for the Bard and suggested his customers wash it down with his own Clootie Dumpling Gin & Tonic. Five March, Glasgow Glasgow’s Five March teamed up with Glenfiddich to offer a dine at home three course Burns Supper which included venison haggis and finished with a flight of 12, 15 & 18yr old whisky. It also provided directed customers to an online tasting with the fine folk at Glenfiddich!

Marlborough at Home, Broomhill This new restaurant and bar opened in Glasgow’s west end on the site of The Wee Lochan on Crow Road (see design feature) in December and Phil McDonald latest quickly adapted to the restrictions and is offering his customers a four courses Burns Supper prepared by Chef xxxxxxxxx Tigerlily, Edinburgh Tigerlily’s chef went all out with a fivecourse delivered meal and drinks. Their customers could enjoy a Glenmorangie 10yr Gingerbread Man cocktail before tucking into a feast which included Heatherfield Haggis Wellington and a Baked Johnnie Walker Cranachan Cheesecake.

Red Onion Glasgow Chef John Quigley is not just delivering a tasty meal to customers but should they pay a visit to his website, he eloquently describes what Burns Night is all about and he even recommends a Speyside whisky, which he says compliments the spicy nature of the haggis.

The Adamson, St Andrews Anyone who is familiar with St Andrews’ amazing restaurant scene will know all about The Adamson. Their Burns Night meal included a a special Burns Night cocktail and finished with homemade shortbread. The Burns cocktail was made with Glenmorangie, lemongrass & ginger, maple and lemon. Roca Dining, Ballater Ross Cochrane, executive head chef of the Rothesay Rooms and The Carriage in Ballater, launched his own Burns supper dinner menu, via his private firm Roca Dining. His five-course menu had a haggis amuse bouche; whisky cured salmon, a beef and confit onion pithivier with haggis potato and whisky cream with a cranachan dessert and chocolate and whisky fudge petit fours.

Anchorline, Glasgow Glasgow’s Anchorline offering a 3 course Burns supper as well as a Highland Tayberry in Broughty Ferry came up with

Park salted honey Old Fashioned cocktail, a nip of 12YO Highland Park and a link to a tasting video. It also delivered around the country.

The Burntisland Sands Hotel, Burntisland The Burntisland Sands Hotel also offered up its customer favourites to their doors with a Burns meal box. Their three-course meal included a printed copy of the Address Tae the Haggis so customers could hone their Burns skills.