It’s that time of year again when we celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, an Ayrshire lad who helped to show the world our poetic side … and our love of a good party. Whether you like to go trad with a full-blown Burns Supper, or prefer do things a little differently, there is a Burns celebration for everyone. Here are five very different ways to join in this year.
The fast and the curious: Drive Thru Burns Supper
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway is staging what could be a world first … a Drive Thru Burns Supper. Motor up to the car park, order your supper and enjoy it in the comfort of your own car with your choice of poetry and song. Enjoy haggis (or veggie haggis) neeps and tatties, a Tunnock’s tea cake and a can of Irn Bru. Or mix it up with haggis bon-bons and skinny fries. Children’s meals even come in a miniature Burns Cottage box.
Saturday January 26 & Sunday January 27, 3pm, £6.50/£5.25/£4
Check Robert Burns Birthplace Museum DriveThru
It’s coming hame: Burns Hame Toun
Join revellers on the High Street in Ayr to celebrate 260 years since the birth of Robert Burns. The day will feature a host of musical performances, dancing, readings, horse and cart rides, family fun and walking tours. The man himself is set to make an appearance and best of all … the entire day is free.
Sunday January 27, free, check www.burnsfestival.com
A toast with … toast: A Burns breakfast
You know all about Burns Suppers … but at Trump Turnberry you can enjoy a fantastic Burns Breakfast. Haggis is the perfect accompaniment to a couple of poached eggs on a delicious base of potato and with a smothering of hollandaise sauce. With pastries, cereals, smoked fish and even a Holy Grass Scottish Vodka Bloody Mary on the buffet … what’s not to love?
Weekdays 7-10:30am, weekends 7-11am, £26, check www.turnberry.co.uk
The OG: The Burns Cottage Burns Supper
The first Burns supper was held here in July 1801, just over five years after the death of Robert Burns. A few of his close friends came together to remember him by cooking a meal, performing some of his works and giving a speech in honour of their late friend. The night was so successful that they continued it every year on date of Burns’ birthday.
This evening promises to be an unforgettable event with piper, toasts, recitations, music and speeches. Tickets usually sell out for this exclusive event … but mark it in the diary for next year.
January 25, £250, check Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Burns Supper
Teetotal: Enjoy a Mossgiel latte
As well as being a poet, Robert burns was also a dairy farmer, working away at Mossgiel near Mauchline. There has been a dairy farm at Mossgiel ever since and guess what? It’s still there today and it is producing gallons of delicious organic milk. It’s even gone plastic-free so you can rest assured that you won’t be adding to the world’s woes when you toast the Bard’s birthday with a frothy Mossgiel latte.
Available at Unity Grill and the Bhaile Craft Bakery (where you can also grab a haggis/veggie and potato pie) in Ayr, and Mauchline’s The Many Thanks gallery and cafe and The Fairburn Hotel. Check mossgielfarm.co.uk
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