Family Friendly Robbie Burns Night Supper Menu

Robbie Burns was a poet and lyricist who lived in Scotland during the 18th century. You may think you don't know him, but if you have ever sung "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's Eve you are familiar with at least one of his works. Another you may know is "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose." The celebration of the poet's birthday, Robert Burns Day, is like a second national holiday for people of Scottish descent at home and abroad. The holiday falls January 25th, and is commonly marked by holding a Burns Night Supper.

Most people who have heard of Robbie Burns Day know the star of the feast is the haggis, a savoury pudding made from the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep. Burns' own "Address to a Haggis" is recited at the feast, as is the Selkirk Grace which is attributed to him.

If you can't find a Burns Supper in your neck of the woods, have no fear! You can create a Scottish meal at home to mark Robbie Burns Day with friends and family. The menu below is a fairly simple one, with emphasis on dishes that can be prepared easily at home. Purchase your haggis from a local butcher or Scottish speciality shop (you may have to place an order, so check in advance.) The rest of the food can be prepared at home. Several recipes are already linked, and more will be added as time permits. Check back for updates!

Burns Supper Bill o' Fare
Soup: Cock-a-leekie Soup or Scotch Broth
Main Dish: Haggis with Champit Tatties and Bashed Neeps
Dessert: Tipsy Laird or Cranachan, or choose a dish from this listing of Scottish desserts

Cheese and bannock or oatcakes is traditionally served at the end of the meal. If your gang is like mine and has trouble waiting for supper to be served, you may want to put out your cheese platter before the first course.

Wine can be served with your Burns supper, and of course a single malt Scotch whiskey will always be appreciated. If you want to serve the kids something a little decadent to drink on Burns Night, get them a Scottish soft drink like Irn Bru, Red Kola or Tizer. We were able to find these at our local fish and chips restaurant, which specializes in Scottish cuisine. Coffee and tea can be made available for those who drink it.

Burns Supper Substitutions
If you aren't sure your family will like haggis enough to make a main dish of it serve it as an appetizer instead, before the soup course. It can be eaten like a pate with crackers, oatcake or wedges of bannock. For your main dish, serve tatties and mince (ground beef with mashed potatoes,) Scotch pies with clapshot or rumbledethumps, or a stew made from lamb, venison or shin of beef. If you are fans of fish, you can also add in a fish course near the beginning of your supper. Salmon is popular, and can be prepared several different ways.

Vegetarian Burns Supper
If someone in your family eats vegetarian, you can make a vegetarian friendly Burns Night meal. Serve a potato and leek soup that will appeal to everybody. Offer skirlie potato cakes alongside the haggis for those who don't eat meat, or try a vegan haggis recipe.

You may want to emphasize the cheese platter a bit more, and perhaps add some meat-free Scotch eggs to your meal if you feel protein levels need a bit of a boost. Scottish desserts are generally fairly safe for vegetarians, as long as you avoid ingredients like suet and lard in the preparation.

Sources:
"How to organize a Burns supper." Rampant Scotland

"What makes a Burns supper?." World Burns Club

"Yes, you can have a vegetarian Burns Night supper." Veg-World