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Burns Night 2010

Burns Night Supper

Monday, January 25, 2010

Celebrations begin at 7.30pm

Dinner served at 8.00pm

BOOKINGS ONLY

Please telephone us on 01829 760200 for a booking form and to reserve your table or download a leaflet from the homepage of our website

Join us at The Alvanley Arms for a special Burns Night Supper.

We welcome you with a wee dram, in front of our log burning fire, before we pipe the haggis and pay tribute to Rabbie Burns. Celebrations include live bagpipes, traditional Scottish fayre, a wide selection of malt whiskies and prizes for the lucky winners of our Scottish themed quiz

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, ‘Rabbie Burns’ the world famous Scottish poet, was born in Alloway, Ayrshire in 1759. He was born in a small cottage now known as Burns Cottage. His family were poor farmers. Burns was the eldest of seven children.

The Bard

From a very young age Burns had a huge appetite for reading and learning. This interest in literature, together with his experiences, made him a prolific poet. Not just in Scottish terms, but worldwide he was a genius. He was well known locally as a seducer of women and had a great love of whisky. His passion for women and thirst for drinking play major parts in his poems. His inspiration is drawn from background, environment, and his Scottish heritage.

At the age of 27 his first works ‘The Kilmarnock Edition’ were published. Some of his famous poems include Auld Lang Syne, Tam O’Shanter, and Red, Red, Rose. His works were written in Scottish dialect.

Burns Suppers

Every year on the 25th January, the anniversary of his birth, the life and works of Robert Burns are celebrated with special suppers all around the globe. The haggis is piped in and addressed along with the ladies and the whisky. Burns’ famous poem ‘To a Haggis’ is recited.

To a Haggis

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 of a grace

As lang's my arm.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,

An cut you up wi ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like onie ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm-reekin, rich!

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill o fare,

Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware

That jaups in luggies:

But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,

Gie her a Haggis.

English Translation

Fair and full is your honest, jolly face,

Great chieftain of the sausage race!

Above them all you take your place,

Stomach, tripe, or intestines:

Well are you worthy of a grace

As long as my arm.

His knife see rustic Labour wipe,

And cut you up with ready slight,

Trenching your gushing entrails bright,

Like any ditch;

And then, O what a glorious sight,

Warm steaming, rich!

You powers, who make mankind your care,

And dish them out their bill of fare,

Old Scotland wants no watery stuff,

That splashes in small wooden dishes;

But if you wish her grateful prayer,

Give her [Scotland] a Haggis!

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