Your First Burns Night: What to Expect (and How to Enjoy it)
If you’ve never attended a Burns Night before, it’s normal to feel a little unsure about what you’re walking into. You might have heard words like haggis, toasts, or poetry, and wondered whether you’re expected to know the rules, understand the traditions, or even have Scottish heritage to belong in the room. The good news? Burns Night is not about perfection or prior knowledge. It’s about hospitality, shared experience, and honoring culture in a way that’s meant to bring people together.
Whether you’re attending your first Burns Night this year or simply curious about what happens at one, consider this your friendly guide — what to expect, what to enjoy, and how to feel comfortable stepping into a tradition that has welcomed newcomers for centuries.
What Is Burns Night, Exactly?
Burns Night is a celebration held in late January to honor the life and legacy of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. While Burns lived in the 18th century, his poetry and songs still resonate today, exploring themes of love, equality, friendship, and the dignity of everyday people. At its heart, Burns Night is a supper — but not just any dinner. It’s an evening that blends food, poetry, music, storytelling, remembrance, and good humor. Some Burns Suppers are formal, some are relaxed, but all are rooted in warmth and welcome.
You don’t need to be Scottish to attend. You don’t need to know the poems by heart. If you arrive curious and open, you’re already doing it right.
The Order of the Evening
While each Burns Night has its own personality, many follow a traditional order that has been passed down and adapted over time. This structure isn’t meant to feel rigid or intimidating — it’s simply a framework that helps the evening unfold with intention. From welcoming remarks to shared moments of reflection and celebration, each part of the program builds on the last. If it’s your first Burns Night, knowing the rhythm ahead of time can help you relax and stay present. You don’t need to memorize the order or anticipate every moment. Think of it like being guided through a story: you’re invited to listen, observe, and take part as the evening naturally moves forward.
The Selkirk Grace
The evening typically begins with a welcome and the Selkirk Grace, a short poem traditionally attributed to Robert Burns. It’s a simple expression of gratitude — for food, fellowship, and the moment — and sets the tone for the night ahead.
Piping in the Haggis
One of the most memorable moments of Burns Night is the piping in of the haggis. As the sound of the bagpipes fills the room, the haggis is carried in ceremoniously. Guests usually stand, marking the importance of the moment and signaling that this is no ordinary meal.
Address to a Haggis
The Address to a Haggis follows, often delivered with humor and dramatic flair. This poem praises the haggis as a symbol of honest sustenance and Scottish pride. You don’t need to understand every word — the spirit, performance, and shared laughter are what matter most.
What’s on the Menu?
While menus vary, Burns Night often features traditional Scottish dishes, such as:
Cock-a-leekie soup, a comforting chicken and leek soup
Cullen skink, a rich soup made with smoked haddock
Haggis, neeps, and tatties, the centerpiece of the meal
Cranachan, a dessert of oats, cream, honey, and berries
Clootie dumpling, a warmly spiced steamed pudding
Not every Burns Supper includes all of these dishes, but they offer a taste of the flavors commonly associated with the celebration. And no — haggis is not an animal.
Flowers of the Forest
Following the meal, the evening often turns reflective with Flowers of the Forest, a traditional lament played or sung in remembrance. This moment honors those who have passed and acknowledges loss with quiet dignity. For many attendees, it’s one of the most moving parts of the evening — a pause that reminds us of the depth and humanity woven into Scottish tradition.
The Toast to His Immortal Memory
After Flowers of the Forest, the heart of the evening arrives with The Toast to His Immortal Memory. This address reflects on the life, work, and enduring influence of Robert Burns — not just as a poet, but as a person who wrote about love, hardship, friendship, and the worth of ordinary people. The speaker often weaves together history, humor, and personal insight, helping everyone in the room — whether longtime admirer or first-time attendee — connect Burns’s words to modern life.
You don’t need to know Burns’s poetry to appreciate this moment. It serves as a reminder of why Burns Night exists at all: to honor ideas and values that still matter today.
Toasts to the Lassies and Lads
As the evening lightens, guests enjoy the Toast to the Lassies, a playful speech celebrating women, followed by the Response from the Lassies, which offers good-natured rebuttal and humor in return. These toasts are meant to be warm, witty, and fun — never cutting — and often bring some of the biggest laughs of the night.
Etiquette Tips
Burns Night is friendly, inclusive, and often filled with laughter — but it’s also thoughtfully structured to honor tradition and the people being celebrated. Certain moments are meant to be listened to closely, while others invite applause, participation, or shared amusement. Understanding a few basic etiquette cues can help you feel more comfortable and confident as a guest. When in doubt, simply follow the lead of those around you. The goal isn’t perfection, but respect — for the speakers, the traditions, and the shared experience that brings everyone together.
What to Do
Listen attentively during speeches and toasts
Stand when invited (if able) during toasts and piping.
Join in applause and laughter.
What Not to Do
Don’t interrupt speeches or readings.
Don’t stress about “doing it wrong.”
Don’t assume it’s all rigid formality — warmth is the goal.
5 Common Burns Night Myths (Debunked)
1. You have to be Scottish to attend.
You don’t. Burns Night is rooted in Scottish culture, but it has always been about sharing that culture, not guarding it. People from all backgrounds are welcome, and first-time attendees are often encouraged to come specifically because they’re curious. If you have an interest in history, poetry, music, or community, you belong in the room.
2. Burns Suppers must be strictly formal.
Not necessarily. While many Burns Nights follow a traditional order, the tone can vary widely. Some events are formal, others are relaxed, and many fall somewhere in between. The structure exists to guide the evening — not to test guests. You’re not expected to know every cue or tradition ahead of time. Simply listening, observing, and participating when invited is more than enough.
3. Haggis is an animal.
It isn’t — and no, it doesn’t roam the Highlands. Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish, not a creature. Like many heritage foods, it has inspired its share of tall tales and jokes over the years. Burns Night often leans into that humor, but rest assured: no mythical animals are involved.
4. You’ll offend someone by wearing the wrong tartan.
This is one of the most common concerns — and one of the most misunderstood. While tartans have historical associations with clans, most modern Burns Nights are welcoming and appreciative of interest in Scottish dress rather than strict about lineage. Wearing tartan as a sign of respect or admiration is generally seen as a compliment, not an offense. When in doubt, dressing neatly and thoughtfully matters far more than choosing a specific pattern.
5. You’re required to drink whisky.
You’re not. Whisky is traditionally used for toasts, but participation is about the gesture, not the drink itself. Water, wine, or another beverage is perfectly acceptable. No one will be offended if you choose not to drink whisky — the shared moment is what matters.
Honoring Community and Closing Out the Night
In addition to the traditional toasts, USCO’s Burns Night also celebrates community. During the evening, we recognize our Honor Clan and present meaningful awards, including the Jerrel R. Murray Volunteer of the Year Award and the USCO President’s Award, honoring those who give their time and heart to keeping Scottish culture alive in Oklahoma.
The night closes with Auld Lang Syne. Guests gather in a circle, link arms, and sing together — a powerful and unifying moment that often becomes a favorite memory for first-time attendees. It’s a fitting end to an evening centered on friendship, remembrance, and shared experience.
Join Us This Burns Night
If you’ve ever been curious about Burns Night, this year is a wonderful time to attend your first one. The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma invites you to join us for our upcoming Burns Night celebration — an evening of tradition, storytelling, music, and community. Whether you come on your own or bring a friend, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
If it’s your first Burns Night, you won’t be the only one — and you won’t be expected to know everything when you arrive. Just bring your curiosity, your appetite, and a willingness to take part in something meaningful!
