The special day in Scottish calendars celebrates Robert Burns’ birthday of January 25, with people coming together to recite poetry by the legendary Bard, sing his songs, drink whisky and enjoy haggis, neeps and tatties.
We’ve found some great photos of Edinburgh celebrations of the Ayrshire poet’s birthday over the years and some rather strange events taking place to mark the occasion, including a haggis being piped onto a flight from the city to London in the 60s.
We also found photos of a Burns Supper on Arthur’s Seat, Scotland’s rugby stars enjoying our traditional dish, a reverend with a pile of holy haggis, local residents heading to Moscow for a Burns Night celebration, and kind supermarket staff feeding the homeless on Burns Night.
5. Haggis with Caribbean twist
Edinburgh woman Carol Stobie with Cuban Damian Ayla Diaz. Carol organised a Cuban Burns Night at the Counting House to raise funds for charity, before heading to the Caribbean country. | TSPL Photo: Sean Bell
6. Have a jig
Edinburgh butcher Charles MacSween promoting his world-famous haggis ahead of Burns Night in January 1986. | TSPL Photo: National World
7. Carving the haggis
The late Margo MacDonald MSP in 2004 getting ready to carve up a haggis at the annual St Columba's Hospice Burns Supper, which was attended by around 850 guests at the Corn Exhange. | TSPL Photo: National World
8. Piped in
The haggis is piped in at the Edinburgh High Constables' Burns Supper in January 1980. | TSPL Photo: National World