Click here for 2024 Burns Night Details
Who was Robert Burns?
Robert Burns is among the most respected and well-known poets in the world, and he is the most celebrated Scottish poet of all time. Many of his poems and songs have become part of the standard lexicon of traditions in the Western Hemisphere (e.g. “Auld Lang Syne”…). He was born in Scotland on January 25, 1759. For more than 200 years, Scots and their descendants have gathered to pay tribute to Robert Burns on or around January 25 in events known as Burns Suppers.
What Is a Burns Supper?
Burns Suppers come in a variety of formats. There are some traditional elements that must be included. In the past, our Burns Supper encompassed a Scottish meal, toasts, a Burns tribute, poetry, Highland costumes, pipe music, and Highland dancing.
Macdonald Pipe Band’s modern-day Burns Supper is more of a Burns Pub Night. The free 21+ event does not include dinner or dancing, but the rest of the trappings are present. We will have the Haggis presentation, complete with a piper-led parade through the venue and followed by a recitation of Burns’s famous address “To a Haggis.” There will be toasts and songs and a pipe band finale. A taste of haggis and whisky will be offered to all. The band will hold a basket raffle of wonderful prizes to raise funds for uniform and instrument parts and other band expenses.
For more information about Burns Suppers, check out this Visit Scotland link.
2024 MPB Burns Night
Our 2024 Burns Pub Night will take place Jan. 25, 2024, at Goodlander Cocktail Brewery, east of downtown Pittsburgh. For a map, click here.
We welcome everyone (21 and over) to join us in the revelry as we celebrate our famous bard. There is no cover charge. We encourage you to bring cash for the raffle and for a donation in return for the wee tasting of haggis and whisky. Donations to the band, a 501c3 nonprofit charity, also will be accepted via PayPal.
The entertainment includes poetry and song by various folks, the Address “To a Haggis” recited by David Bennett, several solo players on various instruments, and a rousing performance of the Macdonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh to cap the evening, closing with the Burns favorite, “Auld Lang Syne,” to be sung by all.
For more information, visit the band’s Event page on Facebook.