Are you all sorted for Burns Night, that annual excuse for an unashamedly Scots-infused celebration?
If like me, January has been whizzing by, here’s a few last minute suggestions dotted around the Capital to ensure you don’t miss out on your dose of haggis revelry.
Once more, The Alma in Islington, N1, felt that restricting celebrations to one night wasn’t enough.
Starting Wednesday 18 Jan, we’re nearing the end of seven days of “Tasty Tartan Tucker”, culminating in Burns Night itself, where the piper will herald the arrival of the haggis.
There’s a fleet of Scottish ales on tap, delicacies such as Ecclefechan Tart, Arbroath Smokies and MacMoule Mariniere, plus those adorned in kilts score a free drink.
Just south of the river, the Tower Bridge Draft House‘s fab kitchen is teaming up with both new-wave Scots brewers, Harviestoun and one of the oldest malt whisky distilleries, Glen Garioch (pronounced Geery), to show that whisky isn’t the only Burns-friendly libation.
Traditional Scots fare will include Scotch Broth and Cranachan as well as The Chieftain o’ the Pudding Race. Draft House founder, the charmingly entertaining Charlie McVeigh (pictured) will be your host, talking you through the beers, along with Harviestoun and Glen Garioch reps. And all for £25.
Over at The Rib Room & Bar in Knightsbridge, not only is there a swanky dinner (£50) on offer, but head to the bar for a heather-infused gin cocktail, called, appropriately Slainte, and a Flaming Bobby Burns, a ‘blazer cocktail’ featuring Glenmorangie Astar Single Malt Whisky, aged sweet Antica Formula Vermouth and Benedictine poured alight from one glass to the next.
Back in Clapham, The Avalon has a tutored whisky tasting paired with Celtic-inspired canapés – not a fried Mars Bar in sight.
For those planning your own festivities at home, take a peak at the friendly video from recently-launched website, WhiskyMarketPlace.com. Co-founder Pierre Thiebaut doesn’t just offer whisky tasting tips, but does a “show and tell” on some tempting looking recipes as well.
If you’d like to know more about the traditions and the history, check out the Burns Supper page on www.Scotland.org.net, which also has a handy guide to events around the globe. There’s even a free Burns app, complete with 550 poems and songs.
Plenty of chance to perfect the famed Address to a Haggis, noted down below for those like me not so familiar with the words.
Details
- The Draft House, Tower Bridge, 25, January, 6.30pm, £25
- Denbies, Dorking, 28 January
- The Alma, free entry throughout the week, but booking essential; 020 7359 4536
- The Avalon, 25 January, 6.30pm, £15, limited places; please call 020 8675 8613 or email [email protected]
Address to a Haggis
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race!
Aboon them a’ yet tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o’a grace
As lang’s my arm
Ye Pow’rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o’ fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But if ye wish her gratefu’ pray’r
Gie her a haggis!
Thanks to Charles MacLean’s gem of a book: The Scottish Toast Master for the above and the translations below:
Fair fa’ – may good befall; sonsie – comely, jolly; aboon – above; painch – paunch; thairm – intestines; wordy – wrthy; skinking ware – slops, thin liquid stuff; that joups in luggies – slops around in pails or two-handed bowls.