Celebrate Burns Night in South Scotland

Don your finest tartan, Burns Night is just around the corner! Celebrations in the South of Scotland and around the world are getting ready to commence.

Celebrating Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Poet, on the 25th of January every year is a tradition that is inextricably linked to the South. Dumfries bills itself as Home of Burns Night with a festival lasting over two weeks offering a range of activities and artists. The town and surrounding area is where the ploughman poet spent much of his life. First staying at Ellisland Farm and later in the town centre in what is now known as Robert Burns House. The bard even etched some verses into a window of his local watering hole, the Globe Inn. Today you can take a tour to learn more about his time here.

So, as Scots and Scotland-lovers alike gather to celebrate his life and work, we have rounded up some of the events held in his honour. Whether you plan to host your own Burns Night at home or are going out to celebrate, read on. 

Big Burns Supper

The Big Burns Supper is back and bigger than ever, cementing Dumfries’ reputation as the Home of Burns Night. Events start on Friday 17th January 2025 with many events family friendly, including the Dumfries Carnival all weekend long. There’s a haggis hunt, Mostly Ghostly tours each afternoon focusing on Dumfries’ otherworldly past, and plenty of creative fun including Haggis Pizza making! Music options abound over the weekend and the fun spills into the next week with Wet Wet Wet playing on Friday 24th and then a huge Burns celebration with Eddi Reader hosting Burns Night Live on the 25th itself. Or perhaps you’d rather try a Burns Supper on a Bus? Or underwater? And once the night is over the musican options continue with choices for everyone from the Belfast Community Gospel Choir to jazz with Alex Ho and Tom Remon to Clubland Classical with the Kaleidoscope Orchestra. And there is more, so don’t miss out on the biggest celebration of Burns in Dumfries!

Celebrate where he lived

Auld Aquaintance Cottage

While the Farm and Museum are closed through the winter, you can have an authentic Burns experience by booking the Auld Aquaintance Cottage on the property. The accommodation sleeps five guests and furry guests are also welcome. Have a Burns supper on the site where the great man took inspiration and penned some of his most famous works.

Friars Carse Hotel

In Burns’ time, this modern country house hotel was known as Glenriddell, home to his friend Captain Robert Riddell. Burns almost certainly composed some of his works on the grounds of the property as Riddell allowed him the use of an architectural folly known as the Hermitage.

Burns night in

If you’re planning to host your own Burns Supper, add locally prepared treats to your spread. Head to one of the local butchers in the South of Scotland for freshly prepared haggis or pick up cheese from one of our many farm shops. Perhaps the end of the evening can be celebrated with whisky, honey and oatmeal ice cream from Cream o’ Galloway. And to elevate your Address to the Haggis, make sure to serve one of the whiskies from these parts, too – Annandale, Bladnoch and the Borders Distillery all offer excellent choices for the evening. 

For a twist on a traditional Burns Night at home, pick up a bottle of Haggis Gin by Scottish Borders based DeliQuescent in specialist local shops or order online.

Burns night out

The Globe Inn – Dumfries

Where better to head than the Bard’s favourite Howff? Book now and enjoy an evening of great music, great food, and great entertainment. The evening begins with guests greeted by a piper on arrival, moves to the bar with a complimentary rascally cocktail and then experience gastronomical delights with the 5-course tasting menu. Between courses enjoy performances of Burns songs, stories and much more.

The Globe recently won the Scottish Thistle Awards’ Best Eating Experience and is mentioned in the Michelin Guide. And if you miss out for the big night, don’t worry as you can celebrate through out the year. How about a tour to find out why The Globe was voted Scotland’s most historic pub? Or book private dining in the very room Burns’ himself once ate?

Annandale Distillery – Annan

You can get into the spirit of things throughout the month and take a classic distillery tour at Annandale Distillery to celebrate Burns! The one-hour tour will include five tastings – including its unpeated whisky, Man o’Words, which is named after Burns who was the exciseman in the area. Finish off in the Cafe for lunch, where something appropriately Burns is sure to be on the menu. Or take in one of their traditional afternoon teas.