Trade gets set for Burns

Burns will be toasted at Ackergill Tower.

THE final preparations are being made in the Scottish trade for events marking the birth of Robert Burns tomorrow (January 25).

Luxury hotel Ackergill Tower in Wick has been marketing a Burns Night weekend (January 25-27).
The package, priced £395 per person, includes food and wine, traditional Scottish festivities and outdoor activities at what is described as “one of Scotland’s most magnificent coastal retreats”.
Highlights include a gourmet dinner in the hotel’s Grand Hall (luxury kilts provided for men), clay pigeon shooting and spa treatments in the Beach House.
The head chef at The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh has devised a special Burns Night menu, which is available between 5.30pm and 9.30pm tomorrow evening. Paul Hart’s menu, which is priced £35 and can be tailored for gluten-free and vegetarian diets, comprises cock-a-leekie soup, haggis (smoked flat iron steak with haggis, neeps and tatties), cranachan and cheese.
Steak in Edinburgh is also offering a Burns Night menu; the £30 price tag includes a three-course meal, live music and a dram.
In the off-trade, The Whisky Shop chain has produced its own guide to Burns Night, complete with its suggestions for the best whiskies to accompany haggis, neeps and tatties. The recommendations include Longmorn 16 year old (£64.99), Strathisla 12 year old (£34.99), Scapa 16 year old (£69.99) and Auchentoshan 12 year old (£36.99). “Burns Night is a traditional Scottish celebration and it is important to have the right whisky to complement the distinctive flavour of spicy haggis,” said MD Andrew Torrance.

Image – Burns will be toasted at Ackergill Tower.