If you find January is already starting to drag then don't worry, because Burns Night is just around the corner.
Not just another excuse to end Dry January early, Burns Night is celebrated each year to mark the birthday of poet Robert Burns.
Honoured each year with haggis, whiskey, poetry and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the evening is perhaps most famous for the Burns Supper and the traditional toast, Address to a Haggis.
This year may only be a few days' old but it's a great even to celebrate - whether you have Scottish roots or not.
When is Burns Night?
Burns Night is held on January 25 each year and marks the day Scottish poet Robert Burns was born in 1759.
Burns is mainly known for Auld Lang Syne, which is sung throughout Scotland and the world when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Most people celebrate Burns Night with a hearty feast, a glass of whisky (a wee dram) and speeches through dinner.
Who was Robert Burns and why do we celebrate Burns Night?
Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and he is often referred to as Rabbie Burns or the Bard of Ayrshire.
He was considered to be a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and after his death he became a cultural icon.
Burns died in July 1796 and his friends celebrated his life and career on his birthday the following year and thus a Scottish tradition was born.
What's on the Burns night menu?
Haggis, neeps, tatties and a wee dram.
Or, if those words made no sense to you, haggis is a type of sausage prepared in a sheep’s stomach which is then minced with onion, oatmeal, suet (raw beef or lamb fat), spices, and salt, mixed with stock. And it's deceptively delicious.
Neeps are turnips and swedes and tatties are potatoes. A wee dram is a glass of whisky – perfect to wash down the haggis.
For dessert, many whip up a Tipsy Laird (a whisky trifle) or cranachan (made of whipped cream, whisky, honey, raspberries and toasted oatmeal).
During formal and traditional meals there will often be bagpipes playing in the background.
Why are there speeches on Burns Night?
Speeches have become synonymous with Burns Night and the evening traditionally begins with The Selkirk Grace – a thanksgiving using the Scots language.
After this has been said, haggis is generally brought in to the sound of bagpipes and a tribute called ‘Address to the Haggis’ and ‘Toast to the Haggis’ is paid to the dish before consuming.
A short speech to remember Burns' life or poetry called the Immortal Memory should be followed by a ‘Toast to the Lassies’ (a light-hearted speech on women given by a male guest) and then the Reply to the Laddies – the ladies’ chance to respond. This will be followed by the singing of Burns' songs or the reading of his poems.
The host will then call a guest to give the vote of thanks after which everyone stands, joins hands and sings Auld Lang Syne to bring the evening to an end.
