January 25 is almost upon us, with Burns Night parties happening all across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Celebrating Scots poet Robert Burns is nothing new. The very first Burns supper was arranged by the poet’s friends, who gathered on the fifth anniversary of his death, in 1801, to remember him. Since then, people across Scotland and the world have gathered yearly to honour the life and poetry of the wordsmith.
To help you get excited for this year’s festivities, here are 15 photos of Edinburgh Burns Night celebrations over the years.
. Burns Nights of the past
Here are 15 pictures of Edinburgh Burns Night celebrations over the years. Photo: ESME ALLEN
. A flying haggis
A haggis is piped aboard a BUA aircraft to London at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh for a flying Burns Supper. Photo: Albert Jordan
. Addressing the Haggis
A speaker addresses the haggis at a Burns Supper in Edinburgh's Kintore Rooms on Queen Street, in January 1974. Photo: Stan warburton
. Toast to the Lassies
In 1964, a local women's guild threw a celebratory Burns Supper in Moredun. Photo: Unknown
. A wee dram
Four Edinburgh men enjoy a chat and a dram of whisky at the Heather Club Burns Supper in 1963. Photo: Unknown
5. The arrival of the haggis
The haggis is held aloft by a chef while it is piped in at the Evening News Burns Supper in the Assembly Rooms in 1997. Photo: Julie Bull
6. THE PIPER MICHAEL KNOTT (17) FROM THE CURRIE KIRK BOYS BRIGADE PIPE BAND CHATTING WITH JAMES ALLEN CARRYING THE HAGGIS WITH A PICTURE OF ROBBIE BURNS, THE MAN HIMSELF, IN THE FOREGROUND AT THE KIRK O' FIELD PARISH CHURCH SOCIAL CLUB BURNS SUPPER
A 17-year-old piper chats with the chef, next to a picture of Robert Burns, at the Kirk O'Field Parish Church Social Club Burns Supper in 2002. Photo: ESME ALLEN
7. Supper time
Attendees wait excitedly for their dinner as the haggis is brought in, at the Edinburgh and Leith Rover Scouts and Rangers Burns Supper in 1964. Photo: Unknown
8. A gathering of poets
Poets Norman MacCaig, Hugh MacDiarmid and Sydney Goodsir Smith chat at a Burns Supper in Newhaven in 1959. Photo: Unknown