What's involved in hosting a Burns Supper?

[ohiopiper]

Not directly kilt related, and I apologize.

My wife and I are in the process of acquiring a new home, we enjoy hosting parties and informal gatherings. The new house will have room enough to host larger and more formal events.

If we were to take a stab at hosting a formal Burns Supper, what is involved? Figured I'd get actual input from those who would know rather than going to google and getting possibly less than informed opinion.

Those of you who are within driving distance of Streetsboro, Ohio, may consider yoursleves invited, should this come to pass.

Thank you.

[Schiehallion]

First a Haggis then neeps and tatties and Scotch.
A person to recite the Burns poem "To a Haggis" Those are the basics!

I start with a welcome drink of single malt from a quaich

When seated at table the host welcomes the guests and next

'The Selkirk Grace'

I serve Cullen Skink as a soup course.

Main, Haggis Neeps and Tatties with a whisky sauce

The Haggis piped in displayed held by the cook on a dish surrounded by the Tatties ( to stop it rolling off!) and processed to the table (a CD if no piper is ok) and the highlight the rendition of the poem recited with as good a Scots accent as you may have!!! and the haggis cut open with a Sgian Dbuh or other knife. Then a whisky toast to the haggis is offered

Pudding I like to serve Cranachen, or Tipsy Laird.

A person talks about the Immortal Memory of Burns by giving another poem or something of the life of the poet.

Toast in the UK are then to the Queen.

Toast to the lassies and a reply of thanks on their behalf.

Often each guest does a 'turn' but not essential. Make it your own tradition but the Haggis is the star of the evening.

Thanks is offered by one of the guests to the host and Auld Lang Syne is sung bringing the meal to a close.

There are wonderful posts on here and examples of the Burns "To a Haggis" being recited!

Enjoy on Burns night or as near to the 25th January as you can.

[OC Richard]

If we were to take a stab at hosting a formal Burns Supper, what is involved?

First and foremost, hire a piper, pay him well, and ply him with drink!

[artificer]

First and foremost, hire a piper, pay him well, and ply him with drink!

This message has been brought to you by pipers everywhere

[Brother Falldown]

The whiskey of course is for the pipes. It must simply be passed through the piper to achieve the desired effect!

[Cygnus]

I've been considering doing the same (though my home is much too small, thankfully my in-laws own a reception center).

I found this article from the World Burns Club website to be incredibly helpful and informative.

Good luck!

[macwilkin]

I've been considering doing the same (though my home is much too small, thankfully my in-laws own a reception center).

I found this article from the World Burns Club website to be incredibly helpful and informative.

Good luck!

I'll second this article, and add a few more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/robertburns/bur...ng_order.shtml
http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/...rns_supper.htm
http://www.milwburnsclub.org/bsupper.htm

The BEST guide, INMHO, is the late Hugh Douglas's Burns Supper Companion, published by Alloway Press in Scotland. Douglas was a noted Burnsian, and his wee book is a treasure-trove of information about not only Burns Night, but the bard himself. You can order a copy from Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...kelewisconsu06

Yours aye,

Todd

[Andrew2160]

Congratulations on getting your new home.
I hope things go well for you hosting a Burns Supper.

I have helped with the planning for a Burns Night in the Akron, Ohio area for the last couple years, so when the time gets closer I can give you some advice about where to get a haggis locally or if you or your wife are willing to try a good recipe for haggis. I can also send you a copy of the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns reading I did in 2010. Since your online name is Ohiopiper I am guessing you can pipe in the haggis.

Good luck,

[ohiopiper]

Yeah, i've tried to convince my wife that the whiskey is just for the pipes and they need it in vapor form. She's not buying it.

The house isn't a done deal, yet. We're in negotiations with the bank that currently owns it. Hoping to get a mutual agrerement and close by the end of October. The sticking point is the roof. It's not terrible, but obviously needs re-done. The Veterans Administration will not lend unless all is in good repair. So now we negotiate money for them having the roof done before closing.

[ohiopiper]

Almost forgot. Thank you, all, for the links. I'll save them to favorites and peruse them. And thank you for the offer of assistance, Andrew.