Each January 25, Scots and friends around the world raise a toast to Robert Burns, Scotland's beloved national poet. A Burns Night supper blends warmth and wit: the centerpiece is haggis, a savory pudding made from minced meat, oats, and spices, served with neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes). Add plenty of good cheer, readings of Burns's verse, and a dram of whisky, and you have a celebration that ends with a rousing chorus of 'Auld Lang Syne.' Even if you're celebrating stateside, these traditions are easy to adopt—set the table, cue the poetry, and let the toasts flow.

In Ayr, Ayrshire, the Burns National Heritage Park anchors the festivities where they began. Here you can step inside the thatched cottage where Burns was born, explore the museum’s manuscripts, and stroll to the Brig o' Doon, a graceful 15th-century stone bridge immortalized in his poem 'Tam o' Shanter,' and the Auld Kirk, a haunting old church that inspired the same tale. Together, these landmarks turn a visit into a story you can walk. Whether you join a local ceilidh—a lively Scottish social gathering with traditional music and dancing—or simply pass the haggis with friends, Burns Night is about community, humor, and heartfelt words that still travel far.