Burns Night 2023

There are rumours that Robert Burns' poetry inspired Michael Jackson's hit song 'Thriller' – but is there any truth to the stories?

In the early 1990s, Jackson and Gest worked together on the musical, based on the life and works of the Ayrshire poet. [American](/topic/american) producer and television personality, David Gest, who was close friends with Jackson, confirmed that the star was a big fan of [Robert Burns](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topic/robert-burns). He did indeed claim that the 1983 music video for ‘Thriller’ was inspired by Burns’ gothic poem [‘Tam o’ Shanter’](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/burns-night-2023-10-of-robert-burns-best-poems-and-songs-from-scots-wha-hae-to-tam-oshanter-3999134). [Burns Night](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/burns-night-in-edinburgh-15-photos-of-burns-night-celebrations-over-the-years-in-edinburgh-3992397), an urban legend re-surfaces, claiming that the ‘King of Pop’s’ best-known song was inspired by one of the bard’s poems. When you listen to Thriller, you hear a little bit of Tam o’Shanter in there.” Michael believed in the project so much.

It's that time of year again when celebrations are held around the world in honour of Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns.

Lower the haggis cakes into the hot oil and fry for 3–4 minutes until golden. Place the crispy potato on the side and serve at once. Once chilled, unwrap the haggis and cut into 2.5 cm slices. Turn the haggis out onto a sheet of cling film and shape into a roll, about 5 cm in diameter. Take it out of the bladder and put into a large bowl. Remove from the heat, drop in the turnip slices and leave to infuse for 2–3 hours.

Starting from just £16.99, the range includes two of the supermarket's Glen Monarch tipples winning gold at last year's International Spirits Challenge 2022.

Hailing from one of the world’s most prestigious distilleries, it’s an indulgent treat for Burns Night. The supermarket recommends pairing the dram with Scottish smoked salmon canapes for a Burns Night appetiser that’s sure to impress any guest. Touted to be rich and malty, Aldi’s Highland single malt whisky is characterised by subtle notes of dried fruits and cinnamon sticks, which leave a long-lasting length that is both mellow and oaky. Aldi’s Islay single malt whisky is traditionally peat-smoked and is said to feature scents of heather and a slight sea air, complete with a rich nutty finish and lingering smoky-sweet malty notes. The result is a fruit, honey, cocoa, gingerbread, red pepper, brazil nut, toffee and mulled wine spiced blend that’s said to be bright and vivid. [Aldi.co.uk](https://tidd.ly/3inFQCv) Starting from just £16.99, the range includes two of the supermarket’s Glen Monarch tipples winning gold at last year’s International Spirits Challenge 2022. [best Scottish single malt whiskies](https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/spirits/best-scotch-whisky-single-malt-b2255240.html) for celebrating Burns Night [Aldi.co.uk](https://tidd.ly/3XaEHge) [Aldi.co.uk](https://tidd.ly/3GwHqde) Falling each year on 25 January, it is marked with a traditional supper, music and of course, whiskey. [Scotland’s best spirits](https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/spirits/best-scotch-whisky-single-malt-b2255240.html).

The event in honour of the poet brings in more than $245 million a year to Scotland's economy.

Among the other stops on the tour are the marble statue of the poet that stares down the length of the High Street, the Theatre Royal, which first opened its doors in 1792, and the mausoleum where the remains of Burns and his family are buried. The buildings are included on the Burns' Trail, a treasure map of Scotland's literary heritage that leads tourists through the town the poet made famous. A new mural has also been painted across the road from his house, conveniently found on Burns Street, depicting a scene from the narrative poem Tam O'Shanter.

Since 1801, Robert Burns Night has been observed yearly to honour his life as a prominent Scottish bard.

Thus, the poet will celebrate his 264th birthday this year, which will fall on a Wednesday. "A good friend of mine hit me with a bottle one night, gave me six staples in my head and the next day couldn't remember doing it," he recounted. There are numerous occasions where revellers can take part in ceilidhs and poetry readings of Robert Burns' greatest works, such as those that take place in Edinburgh. What is Burns Night?Burns Night, which is observed annually in Scotland to commemorate the birth of the nation's national poet Robert Burns, is regarded as our "other national day" in addition to St. He also blamed the spike in deaths on street valium -- thought to contain benzodiazepines like the potent Etizolam, but often simply a "cocktail of everything" -- which is increasingly rife. He added that he had resisted the so-called "street benzos" after seeing their "Jekyll and Hyde" effect.

A talented 18th century Edinburgh cook's all-but-forgotten recipe for fabled haggis may have secured its status as Scotland's national dish and a Burns ...

As all good Burns scholars will know, it was during this time that the Ayrshire poet penned his legendary Address to a Haggis. It paved the way for modern dining in the city and likely had an enormous impact on our cuisine. A coincidence? [The notorious Edinburgh pub once dubbed 'a waiting room for prison'](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/notorious-edinburgh-pub-once-dubbed-25891976) [Forgotten station near Edinburgh built by aristocrat you can see still signs of today](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/forgotten-station-near-edinburgh-built-25894855) [Incredible Edinburgh photographs show us city life as it was in 1983](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/incredible-edinburgh-photographs-show-city-25894427) [The private Edinburgh train station only Queen Victoria was allowed to use](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/private-edinburgh-train-station-only-25882701) [Throwback footage of holidaymaker's trip to Edinburgh in 1960s resurfaces](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history/throwback-footage-holidaymakers-trip-edinburgh-25883457) [there is evidence to suggest](https://threadinburgh.scot/2022/10/24/the-thread-about-mrs-maciver-edinburghs-first-cookery-teacher-and-writer-who-published-the-first-known-recipe-for-haggis-and-a-little-about-the-early-history-of-that-dish/) that its rise was at least partly down to the culinary skills of one little-known [Edinburgh](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/history) cook. [Burns Night](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/best-in-edinburgh/burns-night-2023-top-edinburgh-26061306), there's one culinary item that's almost certain to be on the menu.

Burns Night is here and to celebrate, The Spirits Business editorial team has recommended some drams to toast the Scottish bard.

This gem of a dram has also become my go-to for upgrading my Old Fashioneds when entertaining at home. The liquid is warming with toffee notes and a distinct fruitiness. This particular whisky was such an easy drinker – soft and mellow, with a gentle tropical fruitiness that paired beautifully with warm summer nights – it quickly became my first bottle kill. This is a different kind of ‘exclusive’ bottling from me, as its one that can only be picked up in a gift shop… Again, keeping to the whisky-based cocktail theme, Bunnahabhain produces the perfect Scotch for an Old Fashioned. Just over a month since my visit, Burns Night seems like the perfect time to enjoy another dram of this smoky 10-year-old. It has been designed for mixing in a number of cocktails, and simples ones at that, containing two to four ingredients. Have I considered booking a holiday that leaves from Heathrow Terminal 5 just so I can scoop up a bottle from The Macallan Airport Boutique? I vividly remember the smouldering smokiness wafting from my glass of The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked. This whisky makes me feel like the woman in the Galaxy chocolate advert – it’s silky, luxurious, and definitely something I don’t want to share if I can help it. Further sips offer warming hints of ginger, with nuttiness of sweet marzipan, and then more of that rich chocolate (though not just any chocolate – we’re talking the posh chocolates you get at Christmas). This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.