Shiplake Turns Scottish for Burns Night

The end of January marks the annual celebration of Burns Night; a day dedicated to the life, works and spirit of great Scottish poet Robert Burns. Robert Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and considered to be pioneer of the Romantic movement. Falling on or around 25 January every year, the event - ever-popular in Scotland - has taken on an international significance, with people from all across the globe partaking in activities that mark the birthday of Scotland’s Bard. The tradition started a few years after the poet’s death in 1796, when his friends commemorated his career on the date of his death each year. From there, Burns Supper took ahold and, more than two centuries later, is celebrated nationwide today.

Burns Night celebrations range from formal suppers to large and rather raucous gatherings and the traditional Scottish dish of haggis is often enjoyed. Traditional evenings include recitals of Robert’s poems, whiskey drinking and a haggis dinner. With Headmaster Gregg Davies’s affiliation with Scotland, it is only fitting that the day has been celebrated with traditional cuisine and musical accompaniments here at Shiplake College.

Year 12 pupil James Croser has long been a lover of the bagpipes and took up the instrument himself. An avid supporter of traditional dress, the notion that Robert Burns himself would have worn a kilt is still disputed today. However, Shiplake’s James donned a kilt, sporran and kilt hose, and really looked the picture, before shouldering his bagpipes and entertaining the crowd at lunchtime with a traditional Scottish song. Pupils were then served with haggis, accompanied with potatoes (tatties), as is traditional on Burns Night - although sadly no shot of whiskey! A large number of pupils were brave enough to try the dish, although there is some leftover... Happy Burns Night to all!