How to have a non-traditional Burns night in Scotland - from sushi to bottomless brunch
Many will be sitting down to haggis, neeps and tatties on 25 January but there’s so much more on offer this Burns night finds Rosalind Erskine.
A month on from Christmas day is Burns night and, for me, it has become an annual tradition to host friends for a traditional Burns supper of haggis, neeps and tatties followed by cranachan and a fair few drams of whisky. We don’t go as far as a poetry recital (none of us really remember the poems we had to learn in primary school), but it’s a lovely way to break up the dark days of January, and something to look forward to after the Christmas festivities are a distant memory.
While I use Burns night as an excuse to celebrate at home, there are many events happening in bars, restaurants and venues across Scotland - from the traditional to the very modern - meaning you can have the Burns night you choose.
If you fancy a Traitor's-style Burns night, head to Glenapp Castle for a weekend of archery, history and a grand Burns supper. There’s also open-fire cooking at the stunning Linn House in Speyside who are, once again, hosting Ana Ortiz and special guest: Sameer Taneja, executive chef of the Michelin Starred Benares Restaurant, Mayfair.
For something completely different and totally modern, on Sunday 25 January, The Palmerston in Edinburgh will host a kitchen takeover by renowned Bristol-based Korean restaurant Bokman. Exclusively for the dinner, Bokman's owners Kyu Jeong Jeon and Duncan Robertson have created a three-course menu, mixing Bokman classics with one-off creations that combine Scotland's larder with Korean culinary heritage, ingredients and techniques.
While Flight Club in Edinburgh is honouring Burns Night with a twist on its bottomless brunch with a Scotch whisky cocktail on arrival, followed by a bottle of Prosecco or four bottles of beer, and bottomless sourdough pizza paddles.
Whisky brands are, naturally, getting in on the action with many partnering with venues to host Burns supper. Before hosting my friends on Saturday, I’ll be at the Kimpton Blythswood Square Burns night, which is in collaboration with The Dalmore and designer in residence, Siobhan Mackenzie. There will be whisky cocktails, canapes, a three course meal, live music, poetry and film screenings in the cinema room.
Up in Speyside, Murray McDavid is taking over Dallas Dhu House in Forres to play host to an evening of traditional Scottish hospitality and exceptional whisky. While over in Glasgow Bruichladdich and Five March are teaming up for a Burns lunch and dinner on the 25 January. Or, if you fancy pairing sushi and whisky Sticks’n’Sushi’s newly opened Glasgow restaurant are hosting a Nikka whisky night on 21 January.
If you’re worried you missed the action over the weekend, Leith businesses Ardfern and Woven whisky will start you week right with a Burns evening on 26 January.
With so much on, it’s great to see our national bard being celebrated with good food and drink. But more importantly, it’s a brilliant way to chase away those January blues, spend some time with loved ones and support our fabulous hospitality venues and whisky brands.
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