THE presents are all unwrapped, the last of the turkey’s been polished off and the turn of the year means it’s time for a period of quiet reflection ... and planning for Burns Night!
The bard’s birthday is just three weeks away, and Yes groups all over the country are gearing up for celebrations lasting well into February. Whether you’re joining in an organised supper or planning to raise a glass to Rabbie at home, we’ve got some suggestions to brighten your table or treat a discerning loved one.
If you’ve yet to send out your supper invitations, check out the beautifully designed cards from EatHaggis, our homegrown firm of the month and Clare Baird, whose collection quote Auld Land Syne and Scots What Hae as well as the romantic favourite A Red, Red Rose.
My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Card, £2.50 www.clarebaird.co.uk
Notebook, £10, www.eathaggis.com
If you haven’t committed the complete works of Burns to memory (shame on you!), or need a step-by-step guide for hosting your first supper, a visit to the Scottish Bookstore will sort you out.
Robert Burns for Beginners, £7.19,
The Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns, £5.39
www.scottishbookstore.com
Of course, no Burns Supper is complete without a dram or two, and Arran Whisky’s Robert Burns Single Malt is endorsed by The World Robert Burns Federation, no less.
The Robert Burns Single Malt, £31.99, www.arranwhisky.com
Up the ante by serving in a whisky barrel stave or handmade quaich from Highlands-based EL Woodturner Crafts, and add a lyrical touch to your table with a set of coasters from Alloway-based Flairboards that feature favourite lines from the Bard’s ballads, romantic songs and thought-provoking satires.
Hand Made Quaich with wooden base, £40, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ELwoodturnerCrafts
Wooden coasters, £9.99, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Flairboards
If you can’t face battling your way through the January sales for your supplies, Fine Scottish Hampers have boxes of treats with everything you need, from haggis (meat and veggie) and whisky sauce to clootie dumpling and tiffin.
Haggis supper hamper, £65.95, www.finescottishhampers.com
If not all of your guests are dram-drinkers, they can still get in on the whisky action during dessert with some Arran Whisky Cheddar or Famous Grouse cranachan whisky shortbread.
Arran Whisky Cheddar, www.arranscheeseshop.co.uk
Famous Grouse cranachan whisky shortbread, from Co-op stores
If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a supper hosted by a friend, you might be required to sing (or recite) for your supper but a hostess gift will no doubt be appreciated too.
Chrystal's Shortbread, www.nationalgalleries.org
Chrystal’s Shortbread, made by a small independent bakery near Loch Lomond, contains 20 hand-cut pieces made from a family recipe, presented in a gorgeous tin; Kat Martin’s simple but stylish pendants can by made in any tartan of your choosing; and Eat Haggis has a range of thoroughly Scottish homewares, T-shirts, notebooks and mugs that are guaranteed to raise a smile.
Tartan pendant, £11, www.etsy.com/uk/shop/katmartin2
If you want to go the extra mile, a pure lambswool scarf in “Burns check” tartan, made in Lochcarron’s Selkirk mill, will keep the cook cosy for the rest of the winter and serve as a reminder of what will hopefully have been a raucous, thoroughly Scottish evening of eating, drinking and merriment.
Burns check lambswool scarf, £25, www.lochcarron.co.uk
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