Haggis, neeps and tatties: How to enjoy Scotland’s national dish, without any fuss

McIntosh of Strathmore
Why haggis, neeps and tatties aren’t just for Burns night – and how finding a haggis in the wild could mean you get your tea for free!

The haggis and Burns Night go together like Perthshire strawberries and Scots dairy cream, like a find blended whisky and a night in front of a peat fire.

But despite its huge popularity in and around the night of the Bard, January 25, it’s a hearty meal all year round, albeit it a particular winter warmer.

Why do we eat haggis on Burns night?

The Burns Supper – these days a celebration of poetry, song, speeches, toasts and of course, the haggis itself – was first celebrated in 1801 when Robert Burns’ friends gathered to commemorate the anniversary of his death. Now we host the celebration on his birthday, January 25, and incorporate the meal immortalised in his epic poem

“Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race! Aboon them a’ ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy of a grace As lang ‘s my arm.”

What’s included in a traditional Burns Supper?

You can’t have haggis without neeps and tatties, the platter that’s been lining stomachs, warming hearts, and powering Scots for generations. Scottish ready meal brand McIntosh of Strathmore has perfected the nation’s favourite meal, on sale in supermarkets near you.

McIntosh of Strathmore

Where did the legend of the haggis come from?

Purists among you will believe the haggis is sheep’s offal – like heart, liver, and lung – with onion, oatmeal, suet, and a heady mix of spices, served up in a artificial casing (a bit like a sausage skin). The ready-made variety is created in Forfar by McIntosh, using as many local ingredients as possible.

Romantics will tell tale of a wee hairy creature, living in the wilds and roaming Scottish mountains (with legs on one side shorter than the other so it can cope with the sloping hillsides!) and elusive and notoriously camera shy.

We know the one we want to believe.

How can I win my tea for free?

The fun-loving team at McIntosh of Strathmore are embracing their poetic licence and setting Scots a challenge around the cherished tradition … find a haggis in the wild (okay, in Scottish city centres) before Burns night, and your Burns Supper is on them.

As part of the campaign, McIntosh will be hiding in cities across Scotland, handing out delicious Haggis, Neeps & Tatties ready meals to anyone lucky enough to find them! (to give you a clue just look out for someone in a branded yellow beanie with the Rabbie Burns illustration on and a sign that says ‘free haggis’).Whether you’re a fan of traditional haggis or prefer a vegetarian option, McIntosh has got you covered.

We want to bring some fun to January, to help combat the January Blues. What’s more fun than bringing back a nostalgic game on an enormous scale? Burns Night is a massive celebration for Scottish people, let us help you celebrate by providing your Supper, that is if you can find us!

Spokesperson for McIntosh

It’s simple to get involved. Follow McIntosh of Strathmore on social media channels for clues and updates on their secret locations, then head out to find them. The first 50 people to track them down in each location will walk away with one of their delicious Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties ready meals—perfect for a Burns Night feast.

This campaign is more than just a meal giveaway—it’s a celebration of Scotland’s heritage and McIntosh’s commitment to bringing people together through hearty, traditional food. Burns Night is a time for community, and McIntosh is thrilled to help Scots everywhere enjoy this special occasion.

Put on your detective cap and get ready for a haggis hunt like no other! Let’s make this Burns Night a celebration to remember—together with McIntosh of Strathmore.

Enjoy a Burns Supper, any night of the year

McIntosh of Strathmore’s meals are an easy way to have a delicious ‘home cooked’ style meal within minutes.

McIntosh aim to bring convenience and quality of McIntosh meals together with the celebratory nature of Burns Night, highlighting how quick and easy it is to make a tasty haggis meal, without the fuss of having to make it from scratch.

Follow them on socials or visit the website for more details.

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