Burns Night

Reasons to love Scotland

Every year on 25 January, Scotland celebrates the life of its national poet, Robert Burns. In honour of Burns Day, we reveal some of the things we love most about our northern neighbours

Deep fried Mars bars
Scotland’s national dish is so wrong, it’s right... On paper, Mars bars most definitely shouldn't be deep-fried but, once you’ve had a bite of a bar that’s been slathered in batter, you’ll understand what the fuss is all about. However contrary to urban myth, Scots don’t just eat deep fried Mars bars - they’re also partial to porridge, shortbread (surely the best biscuit ever?) and haggis: a savoury dish containing sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, that’s then mixed with onions and oatmeal. It sounds vile but if you manage to forget what haggis is made of, it's actually surprisingly tasty!

 

Kilts
It’s long been said that "a man in a kilt is a man and a half" and here at JAT we’re inclined to agree. Scotland’s national dress isn’t cheap - standard traditional kilts are made from wool and retail for around £350 - but add a certain stature to its wearer. Speaking of which, what does one wear under a kilt?  True Scots favour "going commando”...

Image courtesy of Scotland Shop Tartanhttps://www.scotlandshop.com).

Tartan
Forget what you think you know: the pattern of interlocking stripes isn’t plaid. Rather it’s tartan. Traditionally different tartans were associated with different clans so, if like me, your clan name is 'Keith', you would typically choose to sport the Keith tartan. However if you don't have any Scottish relatives, you can still wear tartan: simply opt for a universal tartan such as Highland Granite, Heritage of Scotland or Flower of Scotland.

Whisky 
Blame it on Mad Men’s Don Draper and Roger Sterling (both of whom are frequently seen on screen sipping the brown stuff) but whisky is the tipple of choice for 2015. However the Scots have always been mad about single malt. There are around 98 active malt distilleries in Scotland, with whisky accounting for more than 85 per cent of Scottish food and drink exports. Slàinte!

Andy Murray
The wild haired one from Dunblane is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s biggest heroes having beaten Novak Djokovic in straight sets back in June 2013, to become the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years. He also won something that few ever expected would happen during his dour teenage days: our hearts.


Why do you love Scotland? Let us know by posting a comment below!

 

Where to celebrate Burns Night

Every year on 25 January (which falls on a Sunday in 2015), Scotland celebrates the life of its national poet, Robert Burns.  Wondering where to marking Burns Night? Help is at hand: Haute Time has the low-down on five haute spots sure to get you into the Scottish spirit without leaving London

  • 1. Rabbit

    On Saturday 24 January, newly-opened Chelsea restaurant, Rabbit will be celebrating Burns night by offering diners the perfect traditional Scottish Burns feast - think a special home-made haggis - fit for the bard himself. So for an authentic Burns night baw don your kilts and hop down to King’s Road…

    172 Kings Road, SW3

  • 2. Randall & Aubins


    This winter, Burns night will be celebrated at the acclaimed Randall & Aubin restaurant with a finger-licking menu of Mussels in a whisky, caramelised onion and peppercorn sauce with fries and a Premium 1936 beer. Applauding Scotland's greatest poet, the Soho institution will be serving up the delicious menu not just for Burns Night but throughout the whole of January. Result.

    14- 16 Brewer St, W1

  • 3. M Restaurants

    On Saturday 24 January, M Restaurants will be celebrating Robbie Burns night with an evening of delicious Scottish dishes, which the bard himself would be happy to tuck into. With a very special Glenmorangie marinated short rib Aberdeen Angus steak on offer for this night only and a warming whiskey cocktail to match, diners will be ready to do the highland fling before the night is out. M will also be asking its Twitter followers to pen their own poem that Burns himself would be proud of in just 140 characters: the winner will receive a magnum of gorgeous Glenmorangie. Sláinte!

    2-3 Threadneedle Walk, 60 Threadneedle Street, EC2

  • 4. Mr Fogg’s


    Mr Fogg and his household staff will partner with their good friends from Scotland, Glenmorangie 10 Year Old Original Whisky, to host Bruton Lane's very own Burns Night celebration on Saturday 24 January. Guests will be welcomed by delightful little performances from a talented, tip top bagpiper, before they are all invited to toast the haggis with a glass of Glenmorangies finest and enjoy some delicious haggis canapés. The evening will then continue with a poetry recital that shall of course showcase a selection of Robert Burns best works. In true Scottish spirit, all household staff shall also be temporarily swapping their traditional Gieves & Hawkes military uniforms for a range of rather fetching and suitably festive kilts. Equally, Mr Foggs male guests shall also be encouraged to sport sporrans and kilts too.

    15 Bruton Lane, W1

  • 5. The Wild Game

    Elsewhere The Wild Game Co will be celebrating Burns night with a whole week dedicated to the Scottish bard. Each day of the week will feature a different variety of haggis including wild boar with the week culminating in a traditional Burns Supper at their newly launched Charlotte Street pop-up. Diners can enjoy the finest haggis and venison sourced directly from the Scottish Highlands, in a charmingly rustic setting. And in keeping with tradition, on the evening of the 24 January, The Wild Game Co. have arranged for the haggis to be piped in and several of Robbie Burns poems to read allowed. The evening will end with a live sing-a-long of the Bards most famous poem: Auld Lang Syne.

    65 Charlotte Street, W1