Despite lockdowns due to COVID-19, plans are underway to honor Scotland’s ploughman poet Robert Burns’ birthday throughout the world. Here is your resource guide to celebrate Robert Burns safely at home all week long.
Be sure to sign up for the global celebration planned by our friends at Scotland is Now on January 28th! Even though we cannot be together this year, we wish everyone good health today and every day.
Chicago Scots Celebrate Robert Burns
Gus Noble, President of Chicago Scots, shares a special message on the relevance of Robert Burns for the times we live in.
In the Kitchen with Scotland’s National Chef
Gary Maclean the National Chef of Scotland has two traditional Burns Supper recipes to share with you. Chicago Scots has an ongoing relationship with Gary who is Scotland’s first National Chef and past winner of Master Chef UK.
From his kitchen to yours, he has picked easy side dishes to accompany Haggis.
Burns’ Most Famous Song
Robert Burns wrote over three hundred songs in his short life. They celebrate love, friendship, work, and drink with often hilarious and tender sympathy.
His most popular song is Auld Lang Syne which is possibly the world’s most celebrated song. Chicago Scots featured the well-known tribute as part of our virtual 175th Anniversary celebration.
Read some expert advice about Robert Burns’ songs in this story from the Sunday Post.
Learn Scottish Sayings for Burns Night
Nothing will bring your celebration to life more than speaking like a Scot! Click here to learn Scottish saying for Burns Night.
Kids can check out a special tutorial on Scottish sayings created by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie of Noisemaker for Chicago Scots virtual Highland Games this summer. Join the popular Scottish cartoon character Oor Wullie to learn these favorite phrases. Its worth repeating!
The Enduring Popularity of Robert Burns
Explore the reasons for Burns enduring popularity. Robert Burns used small subjects to express big ideas.
This can be seen in poems like “To a Mouse“, as he draws a comparison between the lives of mice and men.
Eight Whiskies to Set Burns Night Alight
Toast the legacy of Robert Burns with one (or more) of these dram suggestions from the editors at the Financial Times.
If you have a preferred Burns Night whisky, let us know! Email info@chicagoscots.org with your favorite toast traditions.
Scotland’s Primer on all Things Burns for 2021
Check out Burns Night events around the world with our friends at Scotland is Now. Learn more about Bobby Burns, annual traditions and how to celebrate wherever you are!
Visit www.scotland.org/events/burns-night for more information.
Nicht wi’ Burns
An annual Chicago celebration started in 1970 Nicht wi’ Burns hasn’t missed a year since its founding. Enjoy the 40-min virtual celebration that includes an address to the Haggis by Gus Noble, president, Chicago Scots.
Congratulations to Nancy and Annika Strolle on the 2021 production and event Chair Donald Munro.
Other highlights include performances by the Chicago Stockyard Kilty Band, national anthems sung by James-Grant Robinson, Toast to the Lassies and Lads by Pam and Brian Green, Auld Lang Syne by Sylvia Pine and Rachel Barton Pine, the Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers and Nik Miller on how to make Scottish shortbread cookies.
A Tribute to Robert Burns
CLICK HERE to check out highlights from Sunday’s live stream concert in Scotland, An Evening with Nicky Spence – A Tribute to Robert Burns.
Available today and for two weeks from pirbrightarts.com; visit their website for more information and ticket prices.
See How Detroit Scots Celebrated
If you missed snagging a limited ticket for Detroit Scots Virtual Robert Burns dinner Saturday, you can enjoy the show at your leisure on YouTube. Gus Noble addressed the Haggis for his friends in Detroit in this virtual experience.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.