The Saltire. Image: Smooth_O), from Wikimedia Commons

Burns Night is celebrated every year on January 25th in remembrance of Robert Burns Scotland’s famous poet.

It is a celebration imbibed with tradition, with typical dress and food. The main event is of course the haggis of which Robert Burns wrote Address to a Haggis.

During the festivities traditional bagpipe music is played as the haggis is brought to the table and the famous poem is read.

Here is the first stanza

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 worthy o’ a grace
As lang’s my arm.

I spoke to a native Scot about Robert Burns, haggis and what’s under the kilt.