Despite having over 200 years notice that the birthday of Robert Burns is celebrated on the 25th of January each year, Helensburgh’s bars and restaurants are only now racing to secure performers.
If you attend an annually organised Burns’ Supper then you’ll most likely appreciate the time and effort that goes into planning an event that pays more than just lip service to Scotland’s Bard
However, in mid-January each year when local bars and restaurants are brainstorming for a way to get punters in during the quiet spell, that’s when the pace of Burns Supper organisation reaches fever pitch.
“I always thought it (Burns Night) was in February, as that’s when The Clyde Bar have theirs.” A local restaurateur told us on condition of anonymity, “So I thought we’d get in before them in late January, but it turns out Burns Night is on the 25th and finding competent performers to do a turn has been impossible!”
Such is the challenge in securing a last-minute performer to recite a Burns’ poem to set the tone for a night, most places just settle on holding a ‘Supper that boils down to over-charging for a meal that features some haggis. It’s possible that tartan or the Saltire will adorn the set menu to give it an air of authenticity but, really, your best bet is to look for a ‘Supper that has the word “annual” in the title.
With that in mind, all of us at the ‘Adviser hope our readers are able to enjoy a Burns Supper in whatever shape or form it takes. Cheers!
