Burns Night is the annual honorary celebration of Scotland’s most famous poet and Nottingham is celebrating it with a modern twist.
Robert Burns, who has written poems including Auld Lang Syne and Scots Wha Hae, is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
Traditionally Burns night is marked with a supper of haggis, tatties, whisky and poetry.
- Haggis is a savoury pudding containing sheep’s heart, liver and lungs – minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt.
- Traditionally it is cooked in the animal’s stomach, although an artificial casing is now often used.
- It is described as having a nutty texture and savoury flavour.
Scottish restaurant Loch Fyne, on King Street, is celebrating by offering diners a choice of two special Irn-Bru cocktails.
General manager Melanie Denton said: “The cocktails are new this year and we are expecting them to be quite popular.
“We have the Kraken cocktail which is a mix of Irn-Bru and Kraken rum, and the Irn-bru spritz which is made with prosecco, angostura bitters and lemon.”
The restaurant will serve a full Scottish-themed menu including haggis, tatties, Scottish salmon and cranachan creme brulee.
Melanie said: “As a Scottish restaurant we celebrate Burns night every year.
“It is a very busy night for us and we have been fully booked for two weeks.
“I have never known Burns Night here not to sell out.”
BrewDog Nottingham, on Broad Street, have added haggis, tatties and stovies – a meat, vegetable and potato dish – to their menu to mark the occasion.
Bartender Lee Turner said: “We will have a Scottish playlist – most probably The Proclaimers – on repeat all night, and a massive selection of Scottish whiskies and beers.
“There will be haggis with all the trimmings and our two Scottish girls Jemm and Fiona will be serving behind the bar from 6-12pm.”
For those wanting to enjoy the festivities at home, The Cheese Shop, in Flying Horse Walk, is selling a variety of Scottish cheeses as well as traditional and vegetarian haggis.
Shop owner Rob Freckingham said: “Every year our Scottish products are very popular – it’s surprising how many people in Nottingham do a Burns supper.
“Our haggis always sells out and we have a regular clientele who come back to buy it every year.
“There are loads of Scottish cheeses and a Scottish gin which is truly fantastic.”
The shop’s vegetarian haggis is made using kidney beans, lentils and vegetables instead of meat.
Rob said: “The taste of haggis is quite hard to describe – but the vegetarian one tastes similar to a vegetable stew without the juice.
“Some people are a bit squeamish at the thought of eating haggis – but personally I think it’s really tasty and something you have to try for yourself.”
- Embankment Pub and Kitchen, Arkwright Street – Wednesday, January 25
Whisky and cheese tasting with cigars, cheese and bottles of whisky available to buy.
- The Vat and Fiddle, Queensbridge Rd – Wednesday, January 25
Enjoy a wee dram with complimentary haggis, bashed neeps and tattie tasting.
- Filthy’s Nottingham, Weekday Cross – Wednesday, January 25
Music and 20% off all Scotch Whisky.
- Trent Lock Golf and Country Club, Long Eaton – Sunday, January, 29
Traditional Scottish food with live entertainment from Jimmy Willan.
- Edward’s Canteen Kitchen, Beeston – Friday, January 27
A seven course Burns supper complete with pipe music and free dram.
