Onesie Totally Tartan

 

'Some hae meat and canna eat, 

An' some wad eat that want it, 

We hae meat an' we can eat, 

An' sae the Lord be thankit.'

'Selkirk Grace', attributed to Robert Burns

Burns Night is a celebration of the life and work of Robert Burns, who just so happens to be regarded as Scotland's national poet.  Robert Burns was born in  Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. He is best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is also in English and a light Scots dialect. His desire to keep the language alive made him a symbol of his birthplace's national identity. The poets friends first commemorated his contribution to Scottish culture soon after his death, and today Scots around the world mark the occasion on 25 January, mostly in the form of a supper.

The traditional supper celebration consists of several courses; soup, haggis, and steak pie followed by a dessert or cheese.

Here's a run down of a more traditional Burns Night Celebration;

Piping in the top table

At formal gatherings, it is traditional for the top table guests to be piped in. If you're having a smaller and less formal gathering, then you can play some Scottish music, traditional bagpipe music or your favourite contemporary Scottish band, and clap along to welcome your guests.

The 'Selkirk Grace'

The 'Selkirk Grace' is a short, yet important prayer, recited to usher in the meal.

Piping in the haggis

The haggis is the crowning glory of a Burns Supper. It is ceremonially carried to the table by the cook, accompanied by a lone bagpiper. Traditionally the chef carries the haggis in on a silver platter behind the piper and is followed by the person who will address the haggis with the Robert Burns poem 'Address the Haggis'.

Toast to the haggis

During the reading the haggis will be cut, traditionally by making a St Andrew's cross-shaped incision at it's centre, often during the line ‘An' cut you up wi' ready slight'’ meaning 'and cut you up with skill’. At the end of the recital, toasts are made to the haggis. 

Toast to the Lassies

Burns was renowned to be fond of women, so toasts are also made to the 'lassies' to thank them for preparing the food. Followed by a cheeky response from one of the lassies, the men then raise their glasses to the lassies.

The immortal memory

The immortal memory is one of the central features of the evening, and is a bit like a 'best man's speech'. The speech is a light-hearted account of the life and works of Robert Burns, usually containing faults and humour giving the audience an insight into Burns’ life and works in a witty, yet serious way.

Songs and Dancing

Burns songs and poems, and some traditional Scottish reeling music should come after the toasts. There can be anywhere from 1 - 4 entertainers across the whole evening (4 for the more formal and larger gatherings).

'Auld Lang Syne'

The evening normally concludes with the singing of Burns’ famous song about parting, 'Auld Lang Syne'. Everyone joins hands in a large circle and sings the words together and at the line 'And here's a hand', you cross each of your hands over to rejoin those standing on either side of you.   Tartan is widely associated with Scotland and is highly popular when celebrating Burns night. From table cloths and scarves, to skirts and cushions - and now onesies! January is a cold and frosty month, so what better way to celebrate Burns night than with your very own Tartan onesie? You're able to stay snug, while showing off the traditional tartan print! Check out Collection of Limited Edition Ready-made tartanonesies in our Log Cabin Onesie Collection, from Women's Small to Men's large, there's a Tartan onesie for every guest! - Our Collection Onesies are now HALF-PRICE by entering WINTER50 at the checkout. *Our Collection onesies are dispatched within three working days. Be sure to mention in the order instruction box that you would like your onesiefor Burns Night.