Robert Burns Night is on 25^th January every year, around Burns’ birthday.. It combines haggis, whisky and poetry with a great night out.

Burns Night celebrates good fellowships and the works of Robert Burns, a national poet. 

Today there are Burns Nights all over the country, and most start with a grace, generally the Selkirk Grace which is attributed to Burns.

Some have meat and cannot eat.
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we have meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

Then it’s time to address the haggis; a piper leads the procession of the haggis which the chef carries on a platter.  They circle the room, the guests clapping them in time to the music. 

There is a fundraising appeal to save Robert Burns' Cottage with the National Trust for Scotland

And then the haggis is presented in front of the Addresser who recites the Address to the Haggis.  He gives the chef and piper a glass of whisky, and everyone toasts the haggis.  And then it’s time for the chef to leave with the haggis and prepare it for the meal.  Of course, it’s usual for other courses to be served – pudding, for example!

After eating, there’s speeches and entertainment, which all kick off with a toast the monarch – the Loyal Toast.  And then there’s a toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, followed by a Toast to the Lassies – Burns appreciated women. And then there’s a reply to the Toast to the Lassies which is generally funny.   Finally, the ladies present applaud and toast the “Laddies” present.

There maybe more toasting after that – the guests, absent friends, Scotland and a vote of thanks.    There’s certainly entertainment, generally with recitations and music. 

And the night ends with – what else – a rendition of Auld Lang Syne and three cheers! 

For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

The first one was held back in 1801 in Burns Cottage, Alloway – you can visit it at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.  The three room cottage is where Burns was born and lived until he was 7 years old – and you can see the box bed he shared with three of his siblings!  They lived side by side with their farm animals, and eat their meals in the kitchen together.  

At the moment the National Trust for Scotland is running a fundraising appeal for urgent restoration works that need to be done on the cottage.  You can donate here

There’s great news from those fabulous people at gift experience company Into the Blue.

And they have a number of Gourmet Gifts and Subscriptions you could take a look at if you want a gift for someone who loves food.

There are Spice Boxes, a 241 Curry Card, and a Date Night Subscription Box.

For anyone with a sweet tooth, there’s a  Hotel Chocolat Adventure Subscriptions, a Luxury Chocolate Brownie Subscription, a Two Person Brownie Heart Subscription and a Monthly Sweet Subscription.

Lovers of drink aren’t forgotten either, with subscriptions for those who love to taste whisky or wine, and a monthly fresly roasted coffee subscriptions.

If your loved one enjoys dining out a lot, you could take a look at a 12 month gourmet society membership, a Dine Club Membership or a 12 Month Tastecard Membership.  

And finally, there’s even a Cookery Book Club! 

Why not browse Into the Blue’s website and take a look for yourself!  Happy Browsing! 

This offer even applies to experiences on special offer already!

Whatever the weather…..

Whatever the weather, there’s something to see at ZSL’s London Zoo.   In fact, they’ve put up a list of suggestions on their website to give you a few pointers.

If it’s pouring with rain, fear not…

Enter London’s Rainforest Life and come face to face with species such as sloths, tamanduas and Emperor tamarins.  Then go to the Night Zone to see what the nocturnal animals get up to after dark….

See Rainforest Life

Go to the Blackburn Pavillion where you’ll find many birds, some free flying…..

Learn more about life cycles, biodiversity and climate change in Butterfly Paradise – you’re surrounded by the hundreds of butterflies chosen to represent the 100,000 species existing on the planet

Then you could go to BUGS which stands for Biodiversity Underpinning Global Survival, a biodiversity and conservation exhibit.  It’s the main place where invertebrates (who have no backbone) are, and there’s the UK’s first ever walk-through spider exhibit, too!

The Reptile House goes back to 1926 and here you’ll find reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, lizards, frogs and crocodiles! 

Behind the Reptile House, you’ll find the home of Ganas, a Komodo Dragon.  Komodo Dragons have incredibly sharp teeth and toxic saliva that can fell a buffalo.  You wouldn’t want to mess with a Komodo Dragon.

The good news is that many of the outdoor exhibits have sheltered spaces where you can watch the animals out of the rain.  There’s the train station at Land of the Lions, two big viewing areas at Tiger Territory and the western lowland gorillas’ jungle gym at Gorilla Kingdom mean you can watch under cover.

The Lemur area has a big indoor area for people and lemurs, whilst you can see inside the indoor area for pygmy hippos Thug and Nicky.

You can always stop off for a hot drink and something to each in the Terrace restaurant – and then why not just take a peek at the penguins, even if it is still raining and just brave the weather?

So even if there’s a deluge, there’s plenty of things to see……   so why not head off to ZSL London Zoo to see them for yourself?