Burns Night (25 January) marks the birthday of our national bard – Robert Burns. Burns Night 2021 will look a little different to previous ones, however there are still lots of ways to celebrate. Why not share some of these great options with Scotland lovers on your social media channels?
Virtual Burns events for 2021
Celtic Connections: 15 January – 2 February. The world-famous Celtic Connections is going digital for the first time. Across 19 days, including Burns Night, performances will be available to view online with some of the biggest names on the Scottish music scene and beyond appearing on screens across the world.
Burns Big Night In (with National Trust for Scotland): 23 January. This special virtual event, hosted by Edith Bowman, comes from the cottage where Burns was born in 1759, with music from folk band Talisk, a cocktail masterclass courtesy of The Glenlivet, exclusive expert insights into the life of Robert Burns, plus some exciting names from the world of comedy and poetry who’ll present a lively and engaging take on the traditional Burns Supper.
Big Burns Supper: 25 January. To mark the festival’s 10th anniversary, Janey Godley’s Big Burns Supper dishes up a special broadcast connecting Scotland to the world with contributions from local, national and international artists. Broadcast free of charge across Big Burns Supper’s Facebook and YouTube channels, the special broadcast welcomes back artists including KT Tunstall, Dougie Maclean, Donovan, Tide Lines and Skerryvore.
Macsween Burns Supper: 25 January 2021. Edinburgh-based haggis brand Macsween is aiming to bring (possibly) the largest virtual Burns Supper to homes across the globe via its Facebook page. The broadcast will see Scottish comedy actor Karen Dunbar alongside Dr Rachel Barrie – master blender for Benriach distillery and described as ‘The First Lady of Scotch Whisky’.
Burns&Beyond: 23 – 25 January. Burns&Beyond with Johnnie Walker will celebrate the life and legacy of Robert Burns through traditional and contemporary art and culture. The free online programme will see live music and poetry from Lucky Middlemass’s Tavern, curated by Aidan O’Rourke (Lau) and arts collective Neu! Reekie!, a celebration of the Burns Collection at the National Museum of Scotland and KT Tunstall will perform Ae Fond Kiss.
Burns Night Ceilidh with the Nest Collective: 25 January. Dance along at home to a live ceilidh band (with COVID-safe demonstration dancers), listen to contributions from special guest musicians, and enjoy the Burns ceremony itself. Host Sam Lee will guide viewers through the evening.
SBH Scotland – World's Biggest Burns: 25 January. Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland has joined forces with Grant’s Haggis and Endura to bring the world together for one special hour of big Burns and entertainment. The event will be broadcast on the organisation’s YouTube and Facebook channels with performances from comedians Janey Godley and Fred MacAuley, and the world’s leading Robert Burns performer, Chris Tait, as well as Travis front man, Fran Healy.
Food and drink deliveries to celebrate at home
Burns Night whisky tastings with Once upon a Whisky and the Glasgow Distillery Company: 21, 25 and 28 January. Guests who buy tickets for the online tastings can try five premium whiskies from the Glasgow Distillery Company (which are home delivered) and discover all the secrets behind the first whisky distillery in Glasgow in over 100 years.
‘Burns Box’ and virtual poetry readings from Edinburgh’s Wedgwood the Restaurant. Available UK-wide to celebrate Burns Night in lockdown. The Scottish feast includes a copy of Address to a Haggis, a dram of whisky to toast Scotland’s national bard and a five-course Burns supper created by chef patron Paul Wedgwood. To finish off the experience Paul Wedgwood will take to Wedgwood’s social media on 25 January to pay tribute to the poet, reading the Address to a Haggis at 7:30pm with a dram of whisky.
Mac & Wild’s Burns Night taco kit. Showcasing incredible produce from the Highlands, Mac & Wild offers many of the essentials needed for the ideal Burns supper, delivered to the door. From a haggis recipe e-book, to wild venison and lamb haggis, a cocktail minibar and even a Burns Night Haggis taco kit, it’s a taste of Scotland at home (UK only deliveries).
The world’s first neep tonic water. Using neeps from an Aberdeenshire farm, Claire Rennie, founder of small-batch Scottish tonic water Walter Gregor’s has created the world’s first neep tonic water in time for toasting Burns. Launched on 13 January, the Scottish Neep Tonic is a limited edition and is only available on the Walter Gregor’s website for delivery in the month of January. It is made on site in Aberdeenshire and contains only natural ingredients.
Virtual Burns Night resources to download
You can download loads of resources for a virtual Burns Night celebration at VisitScotland.com and Scotland.org – including menus, activities and hosting tips.