BURNS SUPPERS

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Ayrshire on 25th January 1759. Every year around the world people share a common purpose to honor the life and works of the most famous of all Scottish poets.
Every Burns Supper has its own format and flavour which range from very formal occasions to less formal gatherings, but they all follow the same theme:- a Scottish meal of Haggis. tatties, and neeps, the drinking of Whiskey, recitals of some of Burn’s Songs and Poetry.
Having a Piper is an essential part of a Burns Supper. The Piper is traditionally used to greet the guests prior to the meal, Pipe in The Haggis with the chef to the tune “A Man’s a Man for A’ That” and following The address to the Haggis, normally recited by the host of the evening, to pipe the haggis out to the tune“My Love she’s but a lassie yet”.
The Piper may be asked to also play following the meal prior to the readings and songs that follow. Typically this would then be followed with a toast to the lassies, this is again one of the essential speeches at any Burns’ Supper, along with the lassies’ reply, now performs an important part of the rich theatre of the whole event.
Originally the address to the lassies was intended as a “thank you” for cooking the meal, a modern audience however looks forward to a witty and amusing speech poking fun ever so affectionately at the fairer sex, followed by a robust return of fire when the tables are turned!