Scottish hospitality is sharpening its haggis knife in preparation for the annual celebration of the life and works of our national bard, Robert Burns.
With Burns Day taking place on the 25th of January, there are themed offerings planned at venues around the country, including traditional Burns supper, ceilidhs, tasting menu experiences, and even themed cocktails.
At Maryculter House in Aberdeenshire, they’ll be serving up the fullworks – a Burns Supper, a glass of whisky-punch and a ceilidh, with hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels, to put life and mettle in yir heels!
The Maryculter package includes an arrival cocktail, a four-course Burns Supper, a dram of whisky, an Immortal Memory recital and a ceilidh band.
On Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, all-day dining restaurant Luckenbooths will be celebrating the Bard on 25th and 26th January, with a piper welcoming guests at the entrance, and a glass of fizz or a dram to start their evening, before a five-course dinner complete with ‘Address to the Haggis’.
In the heart of Aberdeen, top Scottish chef Kevin Dalgleish will be hosting a Burns Supper at his restaurant Amuse on Friday 26 January, with Glenfiddich’s Whisky Ambassador, Mark Thomson. Chef patron Kevin will be creating a five-course menu with the best local and regional Scottish produce available from land to sea, while Mark will pair each course with Glenfiddich Whisky.
In Glasgow’s Cathedral Square, Celentano’s will be serving up a Burns-inspired dish on their menu, with a cocktail special to sip alongside it, from Wednesday the 24th to Saturday the 27th.
An Italian-inspired restaurant, built on a passion for sharing good food and drinks with family and friends, Celentano’s offers clever but wholesome dishes, made using the best seasonal ingredients from chef Dean Parker and Glasgow-born wife Anna.
Last year, their fresh tortellini filled with chef Parker’s handmade haggis, with a potato foam and pickled turnips went down a storm, especially when it was washed down with their Burns ‘Negroni’, made with Glenmorangie, vermouth bianco and fresh garden herbs.
This year, the team will be pulling together another twist on the classic Burns supper and a unique cocktail to serve alongside.
At the other end of Glasgow, the newly opened Fallachan Kitchen, nestled in a railway arch just beside SWG3, will celebrate Rabbie Burns by curating a multi-course tasting menu and whisky tasting throughout with Bruicladdich’s Global Brand Ambassador, Abi Clephane.
Fallachan Kitchen has been designed as an open kitchen with a 12-cover communal ‘chef’s table taking centre stage, with an industrial loft ambience.
Guests will be sampling some unique, un-released whiskies, Fallachan Scottish fare and the best of Burns patter. The experience will feature nine courses, a welcome Bruichladdich cocktail, three drams, and three wines.
There’s even a mission south of the border planned, as Tomás Gormley and his team from Edinburgh’s Skua travel to London for an evening dedicated to celebrating Rabbie Burns on the 26th of January at Fitzrovia’s famous venue, Carousel.
With a special Burns Night Supper, Chef Gormley will present a five course tasting menu showcasing his creations using the finest Scottish suppliers. To add a touch of warmth, the dinner will be held in partnership with Aberfeldy Single Malt Whisky.
