Enjoyed by Over 200 Attendees Every Year!
Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for
over 200 years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard. And when
Burns immortalized haggis in verse, he created a central link that is
maintained to this day.
The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory.
The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive
the haggis.
THE FORMAT FOR THE BURNS SUPPER
Chairperson's opening address
A few welcoming words start the evening and the meal commences with the Selkirk Grace.
The company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, (traditionally Poosie Nancy, the owner of the pub that Burns attended also frequented by beggars,) carrying the haggis to the top table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap.
The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To A Haggis, with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight', he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife.
It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whiskey.
The company will then dine. A typical Bill o' Fare could be:
Cock-a-leekie soup
Haggis warm reeking, rich wi' Champit Tatties, Bashed Neeps
Typsy Laird (sherry trifle)
A Tassie o' coffee
The Immortal Memory
One of the central features of the evening: An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of
Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.
Toast To The Lassies
The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies
for preparing the food and a time to toast the 'lassies' in Burns' life. The tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end
on a conciliatory note.
Response
The turn of the lassies to detail men's foibles. Again, should be humorous but not insulting.
Poem and Songs
Once the speeches are complete, the evening continues with songs and poems. These should be a good variety to fully show the different
moods of Burns muse. Favorites for recitations are Tam o' Shanter, Address to the Unco Guid, To A Mouse and Holly Willie's Prayer.
The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking hands and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the program.
Wear Your Kilt or Tartan!
When you put on your Clan's colors you are putting on your family's history. The tartan and subsequent highland dress should always be worn with dignity and with an understanding and observation of the tradition they represent. It is a uniform and an icon. People normally take immense care in correctly wearing proper Highland Dress, and that is what it deserves, because men have died in war wearing it and men and women have suffered death, transportation, privation, and hardship because the tartan was their native wear and they refused to obey the 18th century ban on tartan promulgated by the Hanoverian Government after the
1745 Jacobite Rising failed.
It is important to stress that Highland dress is referred to as "Scottish attire" both in Scotland, and by those of Scots descent or affiliation around the world, and rightfully so. It is not a costume but attire, and it is important to remember this. (As J.C. Thompson says in his wonderful book, "So You're Going top Wear the Kilt?" ". . . The kilt is perfectly normal dress for any man of Scottish ancestry or connections, and anyone who feels differently is simply displaying their ignorance.")
Modern Highland Dress for Men
Highland Dress is just not for special occasions. It can be worn at anytime. Men who wear the kilt regularly find that it is a sensible, comfortable garment which can be worn with ordinary shirts or sweaters. It does not necessarily need all the accessories listed below. The kilt is the most important item of highland dress. It usually reaches just to the top of, or slightly above, the knee. There is often a kilt pin attached to the front flap for decoration. What you do or don't wear under the kilt is your own business. A good Scotsman will not tell when asked. (When asked what is worn under the kilt, especially by a lady, a typical reply is "nothing worn m'am, everything is in perfect working order", usually accompanied by a wink).
Any ordinary shirt or sweater may be worn with the kilt. Some men, when attending a very formal occasion in the evening, like to wear a lace jabot around the neckline, and sometimes frilled cuffs, and for very formal affairs a fly plaid which is pinned to the shoulder with a brooch and drapes behind. Others prefer a plain shirt and tie, or an evening dress shirt and bow tie. A belt is usually worn at the waist, over the kilt. The buckle is often brass or silver, and sometimes has detailed carving on it, or is set with a cairngorm, which is a semi-precious amber-colored stone found in the mountains of Scotland.
Special kilt jackets can be bought, which are jackets and blazers with a different cut than those worn with trousers, and are usually shorter to better show off the kilt. One for everyday wear could perhaps be a tweed jacket; another for formal evening wear is often black, although other colors are sometimes worn.
Some typical jackets are:
The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory.
The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive
the haggis.
THE FORMAT FOR THE BURNS SUPPER
Chairperson's opening address
A few welcoming words start the evening and the meal commences with the Selkirk Grace.
The company are asked to stand to receive the haggis. A piper then leads the chef, (traditionally Poosie Nancy, the owner of the pub that Burns attended also frequented by beggars,) carrying the haggis to the top table, while the guests accompany them with a slow handclap.
The chairman or invited guest then recites Burns' famous poem To A Haggis, with great enthusiasm. When he reaches the line 'an cut you up wi' ready slight', he cuts open the haggis with a sharp knife.
It's customary for the company to applaud the speaker then stand and toast the haggis with a glass of whiskey.
The company will then dine. A typical Bill o' Fare could be:
Cock-a-leekie soup
Haggis warm reeking, rich wi' Champit Tatties, Bashed Neeps
Typsy Laird (sherry trifle)
A Tassie o' coffee
The Immortal Memory
One of the central features of the evening: An invited guest is asked to give a short speech on Burns. There are many different types of
Immortal Memory speeches, from light-hearted to literary, but the aim is the same - to outline the greatness and relevance of the poet today.
Toast To The Lassies
The main speech is followed by a more light-hearted address to the women in the audience. Originally this was a thank you to the ladies
for preparing the food and a time to toast the 'lassies' in Burns' life. The tone should be witty, but never offensive, and should always end
on a conciliatory note.
Response
The turn of the lassies to detail men's foibles. Again, should be humorous but not insulting.
Poem and Songs
Once the speeches are complete, the evening continues with songs and poems. These should be a good variety to fully show the different
moods of Burns muse. Favorites for recitations are Tam o' Shanter, Address to the Unco Guid, To A Mouse and Holly Willie's Prayer.
The evening will culminate with the company standing, linking hands and singing Auld Lang Syne to conclude the program.
Wear Your Kilt or Tartan!
When you put on your Clan's colors you are putting on your family's history. The tartan and subsequent highland dress should always be worn with dignity and with an understanding and observation of the tradition they represent. It is a uniform and an icon. People normally take immense care in correctly wearing proper Highland Dress, and that is what it deserves, because men have died in war wearing it and men and women have suffered death, transportation, privation, and hardship because the tartan was their native wear and they refused to obey the 18th century ban on tartan promulgated by the Hanoverian Government after the
1745 Jacobite Rising failed.
It is important to stress that Highland dress is referred to as "Scottish attire" both in Scotland, and by those of Scots descent or affiliation around the world, and rightfully so. It is not a costume but attire, and it is important to remember this. (As J.C. Thompson says in his wonderful book, "So You're Going top Wear the Kilt?" ". . . The kilt is perfectly normal dress for any man of Scottish ancestry or connections, and anyone who feels differently is simply displaying their ignorance.")
Modern Highland Dress for Men
Highland Dress is just not for special occasions. It can be worn at anytime. Men who wear the kilt regularly find that it is a sensible, comfortable garment which can be worn with ordinary shirts or sweaters. It does not necessarily need all the accessories listed below. The kilt is the most important item of highland dress. It usually reaches just to the top of, or slightly above, the knee. There is often a kilt pin attached to the front flap for decoration. What you do or don't wear under the kilt is your own business. A good Scotsman will not tell when asked. (When asked what is worn under the kilt, especially by a lady, a typical reply is "nothing worn m'am, everything is in perfect working order", usually accompanied by a wink).
Any ordinary shirt or sweater may be worn with the kilt. Some men, when attending a very formal occasion in the evening, like to wear a lace jabot around the neckline, and sometimes frilled cuffs, and for very formal affairs a fly plaid which is pinned to the shoulder with a brooch and drapes behind. Others prefer a plain shirt and tie, or an evening dress shirt and bow tie. A belt is usually worn at the waist, over the kilt. The buckle is often brass or silver, and sometimes has detailed carving on it, or is set with a cairngorm, which is a semi-precious amber-colored stone found in the mountains of Scotland.
Special kilt jackets can be bought, which are jackets and blazers with a different cut than those worn with trousers, and are usually shorter to better show off the kilt. One for everyday wear could perhaps be a tweed jacket; another for formal evening wear is often black, although other colors are sometimes worn.
Some typical jackets are:
- Prince Charlie - This is a black, formal,
jacket with tails behind, a short front, straight sleeves with no
cuff, and typically silver or chrome buttons. It is not meant
to be buttoned in front, and is usually worn with a matching black
waist coat (vest), though it is seen often today without the vest
and with a belt instead. It is almost always worn with a standard
tuxedo shirt and black or tartan bowtie. (A fly plaid is not
typically worn with the Prince Charlie though it is seen more often
lately).
- Argyll - This is usually a black, single breasted jacket with "gauntlet cuffs" (cuffs which are rolled back to about mid-forearm) and silver buttons. It is considered "semi-formal" wear and can be worn for daywear or semi-formal evening occasions. Most men start with an Argyll as it gives them the most options. Variations of the Argyll exist, such as tweed versions in various colors, and even some variants with sleeves more like the Prince Charlie. The Argyll is typically worn with a standard white dress shirt and tie.
- Montrose Doublet
- The Montrose Doublet is a close fitting, double breasted
jacket that is usually seen on very formal, full dress
occasions (for the Groom or father of the Groom in weddings,
etc.) which only comes to the waist, and is worn with a belt.
The Montrose is usually seen worn with a lace jabot, and a fly
plaid on the shoulder.
- Sheriffmuir - The Sheriffmuir jacket is another very formal option to the Prince Charlie or Montrose. It has "Inverness Flaps" extending off the sides, from the waist. The jacket is typically worn with a shirt and vest and lace jabot and does not typically button in the front. A fly plaid is also generally worn with the Sheriffmuir for a complete "full dress" look.
Special jackets are not always necessary. A simple pullover would be quite acceptable. In cold weather, men who wear highland dress sometimes wear a large tweed cape known as an Inverness cape. Waterproof capes can also be worn when it is wet.
Some men like to wear a Balmoral bonnet with Highland Dress. Another type of bonnet, known as a Glengarry, is often worn by pipers.The kilt looks best when worn with knee-length hose (socks). These are usually held up with an elastic garter. Small strips of ribbon, known as garter flashers, hang down below turned-down tops of the socks. These can be in one color, or tartan. The shoes worn with the kilt can be anything from hiking boots with high socks in outdoor, casual occasions, to expensive "ghillie brogues". For most occasions, standard black dress shoes or brown shoes (in daywear situations) can be worn. For formal affairs one typically sees the black patent leather "Mary Jane" shoes with a large buckle, or black patent "ghillie brogues" which lace up around the ankles and have open tops. One sees standard black patent leather ghillie brogues worn with most variants of Highland dress, in everything from daywear, with a Jacobite shirt and Jacobite waist-coat or jacket, to the most full-dress Montrose or Sheriffmuir outfit. Ghillie brogues come in many varieties and colors and you can usually find a pair that is right for any given level of dress.
The sgian dubh (skee-an doo), or black knife, is often worn by men in Highland dress. The knife is tucked into the top of the right kilt hose, with just the top of the shaft showing. Although the original purpose of the sgian dubh was for skinning animals, it is nowadays largely ceremonial, although it does make a useful pen-knife. For formal, full-dress affairs, one typically will also see a jeweled "dirk" hanging from the belt. The dirk is a long knife, or a short sword, depending on how one looks at it. The dirk was the weapon of choice, and usually the first deployed, by the Highlanders of old. Today, the dirk is ceremonial and typically is only seen for full dress affairs and only with a Montrose or Sheriffmuir jacket. (It is recommended by many, that while the Prince Charlie coat is formal dress, that it be kept simple, and it is not recommended that one wear a dirk or a fly plaid with it).
The sporran, or kilt purse, is made of leather or hide, sometimes with a design on the flap. The sporran is hung high in front of the kilt on a plain strap attached to the waist of the kilt. The general rule is that the top of the sporran should hang about one one hands-width breadth below the navel. Sporrans come in three styles, plain leather variants for daywear and informal occasions, "semi-dress" variants in some combination of leather, fur, and sometimes chrome or silver to be worn for semi-formal daywear or evening occasions, and dress sporrans for formal and full dress affairs. The dress sporran is typically very expensive, and made from either horse hair, orvarious furs: mink, muskrat, rabbit, or seal-skin (in Scotland). Be warned that seal-skin is illegal in the U.S.! (You can face a stiff fine if you should buy one and get caught with it here in the States. Not all Scottish importers are up on this, and you will find some internet sites that will sell you a seal-skin sporran on-line. Be warned of the risks! This can also serve as a warning for those who travel to Scotland and buy one in ignorance before trying to bring it back through customs. There are many other options available for a dress sporran in the States). The dress sporran typically has an elaborate chrome or silver top with engraving work, and fur tassles with chains, etc.
The cap badge is worn on the balmoral or glengarry bonnet. It is nownet!
Many women wear kilted tartan skirts, frequently mid-calf length, with or without a kilt pin. Sporrans and kilts are never worn by women unless required to do so as part of the uniform of a mixed pipe band. A kilted tartan skirt is worn with the usual range of women's blouses, pullovers, and jackets; whatever is tasteful.
Nowadays, while gowns with tartan sashes are seen all over the world, they are especially seen at Scottish Highland Balls and Dances.
Sashes are worn across the upper half of the dress, from the right shoulder diagonally across to the left hip where the two ends are knotted together. A brooch pins the sash to the shoulder. The Queen of Great Britain or wife of the clan chief pins the sash to her left shoulder in opposition to the position of her clanswomen's sashes, as in the picture to the left.
(See Proper Way to Wear a Ladies Tartan Sash)
A style of dress known as Aboyne Dress is made up of a full-length tartan skirt, a white blouse, and a velvet waistcoat with a pinned-on sash. Pumps are also worn.
ROBERT BURNS SUPPER
