Burns Night 2012

When it comes to gatecrashing the celebrations of other nations, the English are spectacularly speedy to invite themselves to any kind of party. St Patrick’s Day? Yeah, I think I’ve got an Irish uncle or Irish setter or something. Diwali? Yeah, I’m like totally into Buddhism or Hinduism and stuff, and there’s dancing? I’m in.

Yet when it comes to the closest thing that the Scottish have to a national day, Burns Night, we seem a little reticent to get involved. Perhaps it’s the fact that the night comes in January, a month where people are either trying to take it easy or are very much continuing that health kick, which, on average, only lasts until the first episode of Britain’s Got Talent hits our screens. Or perhaps it’s down to the fact that when it comes to muscling in on someone else’s party, the Scottish tend to be folk ye dinnae mess wih.

Yet despite the Scots’ reputation for being quick to ire, as seen in the recent skirmishes over the proposed Scottish independence, Burns Night is quite a genteel occasion. As you might expect with the celebration of Scotland’s finest poet Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. There are dinners and whisky tastings going on all over the capital on the 25th and The London Word has shortlisted where you can go to get either a portion of Scottish cuisine or utterly pished…

For anyone on a budget, you might want to start rooting around in the attic or see if you can borrow a kilt. This is because anyone who rocks up to Grazing, down by Monument, either wearing tartan or belching out ‘music’ on the bagpipes, will be given a free meal of the famed haggis, neeps and tatties (haggis, parsnips and potatoes for the uninitiated). For those unable to beg, steal or borrow, it’s from £6.50 a portion.

It is traditional to indulge in some haggis, neeps and tatties but it is good to have something else with it. You can find this at the Angel and Crown down by Covent Garden. Along with the haggis, there is the traditional cock-a-leekie to start and the Typsy Laird, a sherry triffle that will be warming as well as sweet.

It would be remiss to miss out on Scotland’s best-loved contribution to the world, that of whisky. For those looking to get a more nuanced understanding of this most wondrous of drinks, head down to the Avalon in Clapham. There you’ll be given a tutorial about the various different whiskies along with paired Scottish canapés so that you’ll be able to tell your Glenkinchie from your Dalwhinnie.

If you fancy spending Burns Night in style, the Rib Room in Knightsbridge has put together a five-course tasting menu. The meal takes in produce found all over Scotland and includes a cocktail on arrival.

Whatever you end up doing, have a great Burns Night. Even if it means using your best Sean Connery impression to have a good time.

Grazing
19 Great Tower Street
The City
EC3R 5AR

Tel: 020 7283 2932

The Angel & Crown
58 St. Martin’s Lane
Covent Garden
WC2N 4EA

Tel: 020 7748 5244      

The Avalon
16 Balham Hill
Balham
SW12 9EB

Tel: 020 8675 8613      

The Rib Room Bar & Restaurant
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Cadogan Place
Knightsbridge
SW1X 9PY