Burns Night

Tuesday, 25 January, is Burns Night: the night when Scots, not only in Scotland but all over the world, celebrate the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Just in case you've been invited to a Burns supper, or even if you haven't, here is the definitive B to S of all the things you need on Burns Night:

B

Bashit neeps
Mashed turnips or swede.

Bill o' fare
The menu.

C

Champit tatties
Mashed potatoes.

Cock-a-leekie soup
A Scottish soup made with chicken and leeks, traditionally served before the haggis.

D

Dram
A shot, or small measure, of whisky. You'll need a dram for the toast to the haggis.

H

Haggis
Don't let this put you off. A haggis is a large, round type of sausage. It's made from the heart, lungs and liver of a sheep that are boiled and mixed with oats and spices, then boiled in a bag made from the stomach of a sheep. It can also be eaten deep-fried, served with chips. Delicious!

K

Kilt
Not a skirt. Here's Michael McIntyre explaining his version of how Scotsmen came to wear kilts:

P

Pants
As in underpants. You won't need a pair if you're a man wearing a kilt; otherwise, kind of a wise choice, especially in January.

Piper
A person attached to a set of bagpipes hired to "pipe in" the haggis to the tune of "A Man's a Man For a' That".

Puddin'
Scottish for "dessert". Expect to find clootie dumpling, tipsy laird or cranachan on the bill o' fare (see B). But maybe not tiramisu.

S

Sporran
A flat bag made of leather, or leather and fur, worn in front of the kilt — because kilts don't have pockets. A manbag's not a popular option. Don't know why.

There you go, then — you're all set. Here's to Rabbie Burns!