The Burns Project

9 January, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Ayr
12 January, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness
14 January, Haddo House, Aberdeenshire
17 to 25 January, The Georgian House, Edinburgh

Get your commemorations and celebrations of the Scottish bard going early. Actor and writer James Clements performs the Burns Project this January, following a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Based on unprecedented access to the poet’s private letters, it brings to life a man full of complexities and contradictions, capable of both deep love and callousness, of great progressiveness and political inconsistencies. Tickets from £18.50

Big Burns Supper Festival

15 to 25 January, Dumfries

If piping in a haggis, reading poetry, making toasts and enjoying a hearty Burns supper isn’t enough for you, you need to head to Dumfries. The historic town is going big on Burns, hosting a ten-day Burns-themed extravaganza. There’s a light trail, with the Burns Light – a projection of Rabbie’s story projected onto his mausoleum – as the centrepiece. There’s Dumfries Carnival on 17 January, with 2,000 lantern bearing performers in a parade. There’s immersive art. There’s even cabaret – Le Haggis. Like we said – it’s an extravaganza!

Burns Supper

22 January, Prestonfield House, Edinburgh

Wit, wine, whisky and wisdom are on the table at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh. This year, their annual three-course Burns Supper will raise funds for Prostate Scotland. Don your black tie or kilt – this is a fancy do – and take advantage of this great excuse to celebrate and do good at the same time. Tickets from £95 per person.

Burns Night Escape

23 to 25 January, The Treehouses at Lanrick, Perthshire

Escape to the woods for Burns Night and coorie in one of five eco-friendly luxury treehouses. Set in the canopy of ancient trees by the River Teith, it’s a magical spot in winter, made more special for Burns. Expect an exclusive whisky tasting hosted by the expert team at Deanston Distillery, followed by a three-course open-fire dining experience at the Lanrick Fishing Hut, curated by the talented team at Rors Kitchen. £655 per treehouse, based on two adults sharing.

Burns Supper, The Free Company

23 and 24 January, Balerno, Edinburgh

Book a babysitter, pull on your gladrags and settle in for a feast in honour of the Bard at The Free Company. Featuring a “playful take” on the classic feast, with a piped in haggis, there’s also be storytelling from Nial Moorjani and lively ceilidhing beneath the beams of the Milking Byre. Tickets £85.

Burns Night on the Tall Ship Glenlee

24 January, Glasgow

Dinner, drams and dancing on a tall ship. What’s not to love? With whisky from locals The Clydeside Distillery, it’s a great chance to round up pals, dress up in your finest and take a table. Tickets from £75pp.

Burns Ceilidh Supper

23 and 24 January, Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen

Burns Night at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen

Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom is the place to be if you want a traditional knees up – haggis, neeps and tatties, cranachan cheesecake and a ceilidh from the Iron Broo Ceilidh Band. It’s always a great atmosphere – so good, they run it twice. Tickets from £40.

Grand Burns Supper Banquet

23 to 24 January, Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire

Glenapp Castle, piper — Photograph: Nathan Rollinson

In the heart of Burns country, Glenapp Castle is a splendid spot to celebrate the Scottish poet. The Grand Burns Supper Banquet is the centrepiece of a two-night stay, of course, complete with toasts and a ceilidh. But guests can get more immersed into the world of Burns on their stay. Take part in an archery lesson on the castle lawn (a nod to Burns’ membership of the Royal Company of Archers) or take advantage of the castle’s Tesla and go for a drive to explore Burns country. From £235 per person, per night.

Burns Supper

23, 24 and 25 January, Contini, Edinburgh

From the rousing skirl of the pipes as a locally-produced haggis is marched in and addressed, to a hearty four-course feast paired with a wee dram – Contini do Burns Night with no holds barred. There’s the obligatory ceilidh too, for reels and jigs to guarantee smiles and sore feet. Tickets from £70pp.

Kelvingrove Burns Night Concert

January 25, Celtic Connections, Glasgow

There’s no shortage of trad music in Glasgow in January – Celtic Connections is Europe’s biggest winter festival of folk, roots, and world music. It goes without saying that they honour Scotland’s bard – not with supper, but with plenty of song. This year there’s a lineup of music and spoken word in the beautiful setting of Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Tickets £26.88.

Isaac McHale x Stuart Ralston Burns Night

25 January, Lyla, Edinburgh

It’s a Michelin-star mash up. For one night only, two of Scotland’s most celebrated chef talents, Stuart Ralston (Founder of The Aizle Hospitality Group) and Isaac McHale (Chef Owner of The Clove Club**) will join forces for a four hands Burns Night dinner at Ralston’s Lyla* Restaurant in Edinburgh. It’s ten-course tasting menu that pays homage to shared Scottish heritage, with the haggis forming a central part of the multi-course experience, served in the 28-seater dining room. From £225 per person including a welcome drink, with the option of adding the wine pairing on top.

Burns Feast

25 January, Five March, Glasgow

Iconic Glasgow West End restaurant Five March celebrate the Bard with a four-course Burns feast in civilised manner, with both afternoon and evening sittings. The restaurant is offering a ‘modern twist’ to the classic haggis, neeps and tatties dinner and partnering with Islay distillery Bruichladdich for signature serves paired to each course. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options are available. Tickets £65pp.

Whisky tasting experience

100 Princes Street, Edinburgh

With all the raising of drams for Burns in January, it’s not a bad idea to find a whisky you like. Or if you’re already a fan, to treat yourself to tasting something exceptional. Dario Orsili, Head Bartender at 100 Princes Street, runs regular whisky tasting experiences, sharing stories alongside exceptional and delicious whiskies from the hotel’s extensive collection.

9 January, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Ayr12 January, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness14 January, Haddo House, Aberdeenshire 17 to 25 January, The Georgian House, Edinburgh

Great chieftain of the puddin’ race! Where and how to celebrate Rabbie Burns this January

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