WHO was Robert Burns?
Burns Check
When it was proposed that a Robert Burns tartan should be created, the first idea had been to base it on the Campbell tartan - a clan with which the Burns family were connected - but after much discussion it was decided more appropriate to model it on the black and white Shepherd's Check. The overcheck introduced 'the hodden grey and a' that' a line from Rabbie Burns famous song "A Man's a Man for a' That". Finally a little flavour of green fields was added.
Lang Syne
If you have ever attended a Scottish wedding, ceilidh or to be honest any celebration, at the end of the evening we do like to belt out the words of Auld Lang Syne. Robert Burns wrote the poem Auld Lang Syne in 1788 and it has been set to a traditional folk song traditionally sung at New Year. The phrase "for auld lang syne" essentially boils down to "for (the sake of) old times", calling for the preservation of our oldest, dearest friendships as we reflect on the year past on New Year's Eve, and recall past joys and sorrows and who we shared these with.
1. Robert Burns Tartan Decoration 2. Brushed Wool Tartan Scarf Wool Tartan and Velvet Stole 4. Wool Tartan Bow Tie 5. Wool Tartan Tie 6. Tartan Petal Brooch 7. Velvet and Wool Tartan Evening Bag
Kitten Heels
Rabbie Burns, the beloved Scottish poet, was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire. His early life was marked by poverty and hard work on his family's farm. Despite these challenges, young Burns displayed a remarkable talent for poetry, inspired by the beauty of the Scottish countryside and the lives of ordinary people. His first major work, "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect", published in 1786, brought him widespread acclaim and financial success. This collection showcased his unique ability to capture the spirit of Scotland through his vivid imagery, humour, and heartfelt emotion. His legacy as a poet and songwriter continues to inspire and delight readers and listeners around the world.
The South of Scotland was Robert Burns’ homeland. While many other places are associated with Burns, the poet spent the last eight years of his life in and around Dumfries. Here he built a farm at Ellisland near Dumfries where he lived with his young family, writing a quarter of his songs and poems including Auld Lang Syne and Tam o Shanter. His final years were spent at his home in Dumfries where he lived until his untimely death at the age of 37. You can set off on your own journey to see how Burns and his family were celebrated locally, from the statue that immortalises his wife, Jean Armour, to their final resting place in Burns mausoleum.
5 Scan to read more about Burns
1. Men's Tartan Trousers - Classic Fit
2. Wool Tartan Cummerbund 3. Wool Tartan Mini
Rosette Sash 4. Tartan Kilt Flashes 5. The Muckle
Peerie Poak Tartan Clutch Bag 6. Wool Tartan Cufflinks
7. Evening Wear Box for Couples - Auld Lang Syne
WHAT TO WEAR
Burns Night is a time to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage. For formal events, traditional Highland wear is often worn. Men may opt for a kilt and Prince Charlie jacket, while women can choose a tartan dress or skirt with a sash. However, even for less formal gatherings, a touch of tartan can add a festive flair. There are endless possibilities for incorporating tartan into your Burns Night look.
2. Tartan All Round Pleated Skirt & Tartan Bolero Jacket
3. Man: 8 Yard Kilt, Prince Charlie Jacket, Tartan Bow Tie, Formal Dress Sporran, Kilt Socks & Ghillie Brogues/Kilt Shoes Boy: Boy's Wool Tartan Kilt, Boy's Wool Tartan Bow Tie, Boy's Kilt Socks, Boy's Ghillie Brogues/Kilt Shoes 4. Woman: The Kate Coat Man: Men's Tartan Trousers - Slim Fit 5. Woman: Fine Pleated Skirt, The Muckle Peerie Poak Tartan Clutch Bag & Tartan Kitten Heels Man: As main image
6. Woman: Tartan Shift Dress with Elbow Length Sleeve, Tartan Bolero Jacket & Tartan Purse Man: Men's Double Breasted Tartan Dinner Jacket, Men's Tartan Trousers - Classic Fit & Wool Tartan Cummerbund
Her: Tartan All Round Pleated Skirt, Wool Tartan and Faux Fur Stole (Soft Brown fur), Tartan Kitten Heels & The Muckle Peerie Poak Tartan Clutch Bag Him: 6 Yard Kilt, Tweed Kilt Jacket & Waistcoat, Wool Tartan Tie, Tartan Sporran, Kilt Socks, Tartan Kilt Flashes & Ghillie Brogues/Kilt Shoes
WHICH TARTAN To Wear
The choice of tartan for a Burns Night often depends on your personal connection to Scotland. If you have your own family or clan tartan, now's the time to wear it with pride, or if you prefer, opt for a tartan specifically associated with Rabbie - find out more on page 2. Use our Tartan Finder to search by name to find your clan and tartan from a choice of over 1,000, or use the filter to choose your favourite colour. If you need some help and advice finding your tartan our Customer Service team offers a genuine Scottish welcome.
KILT OUTFIT Top Tips
The kilt is the key part of your outfit. Different weights of cloth and the yardage used to make your kilt affect the price and swing in the pleats. Choose from over 500 tartans! Sporrans are worn on the front of the kilt and should hang approximately 4 or 5 inches, no lower than a hand's width, from the top of the kilt. Your waistcoat buttons, tie, belt buckle, and sporran should all be centred and create a straight line running down the middle of your outfit. A Fly Paid can be the finishing touch for formal occasions.
Prince Charlie
The Prince Charlie is the most formal kilt jacket worn today and is the highlandwear take on black tie. A Prince Charlie outfit must be worn with a bow tie, but a Kilt Belt shouldn’t be worn with it.
A more versatile option is the Argyll jacket for more casual or daytime events in black, tweed or tartan. You can wear any kind of tie in your choice of plain wool or tartan with an Argyll. The Kilt Belt should only be worn with an Argyll jacket and in the absence of a waistcoat, in order to fill the gap between the shirt and the kilt.
The
The Argyll
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BURNS NIGHT MENU & Setting the Table
Burns Suppers must include several programme elements in order to be considered a proper Burns Night celebration, the centerpiece of which is The Address Tae The Haggis.
THE TABLE
Add a simple Scottish flavour with our tartan napkins or go the whole hog with a tartan tablecloth or runner and matching napkins.
THE MENU
Cock-a-leekie soup and Cullen Skink are both starters that you might find at a traditional Burns Supper and are sure to warm you up on a cold winter’s night. Haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) form the main course, with the haggis a focal point of the whole supper, often brought in to the tune of bagpipes.
Finish off your Burns Night with a traditional Scottish dessert such as Cranachan.
You can find the full running order on our blog.
Main & 2 & 3: Burns Check Tartan Napkins (sold in sets of 4) & Tartan Table Runners (available in 3 sizes), Big Wool Tartan Bow &
Sateen Ribbon
BURNS NIGHT Around the World
The first Burns Supper was held on what they thought was his birthday on 29 January 1802, but in 1803 they discovered from the Ayr parish records that the correct date was 25 January 1759.
The format of Burns Suppers has not changed since it was first celebrated. The basic format starts with a general welcome and announcements, followed with the Selkirk Grace. After the Grace comes the piping and cutting of the haggis, where Burns' famous Address To a Haggis is read and the haggis is cut open. The meal is served and then the reading called the "Immortal Memory", an overview of Burns' life and work, is given. "Toast to the Lassies" follows, which is a thanks to the ladies for preparing the food and to toast the lassies in Burns' life. "The Response" is then given; and the event usually concludes with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
In 1785 Burns was a guest at a Haggis Club in Kilmarnock where five lawyers met for dinner. When asked to say grace he instead chose to address the haggis. And so began the famous tradition that is still followed today at Burns Suppers across the globe...
Address
to a Haggis (the first verse)
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy o' a grace As lang's my arm.
Join the global celebration of Rabbie’s Birthday!
Share your unique stories and local traditions for celebrating our National Bard. How do you honour Burns in your community? Let's connect and share the spirit of Rabbie worldwide. Contact us today to share your story.
Burns Night just wouldn’t be the same without hearing the Address to a Haggis, the Selkirk Grace and a selection of Burns' best!
We are looking for adults, children and groups to send us their renditions, whether it be the words of Rabbie himself or simply a poem inspired by Scotland we want to hear it all! We’ll share our favourite entries throughout the month before announcing the winners on the 1st February.
