Burns Night Celebration (UPDATED)

FXBG Scots show their resiliency
By Wayne Amann
Scottish Society of Fredericksburg Publicity Committee

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — When Mother Nature delivered blizzard conditions here Jan. 31, various activities were brought to a virtual standstill, including the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg’s signature event. However, the SSF persevered.

Fast forward four months. The SSF’s 31st annual Robbie Burns Night, honoring Scotland’s iconic poet and lyricist Robert Burns, is now set for Saturday May 9, at the Fredericksburg Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 20 Sanford Drive, beginning with a social hour at 5 p.m, followed by the festivities at 6 p.m.

Beloved the world over, “Rabbie” as he was known by his contemporaries, spoke directly to the hearts of working class Scots, celebrating their lives with warmth, insight, humor and occasional satire.

The Scottish Society of Fredericksburg celebrates all things Scottish, including rekindling the life and works of this perennially popular ‘poet of the people’. SSF links itself with Scots worldwide during its local observance.

Born on Jan. 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland, Burns is known as the National Bard, Bard of Ayrshire and the Ploughman Poet, among various monickers. He’s widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is revered worldwide.

For those unfamiliar with the Burns Supper, a.k.a. Burns Night, the first one was held in memorium at Burns Cottage by his friends on July 21, 1801, the fifth anniversary of his death. Since then, the suppers have been held on or about his birth date by numerous Scottish organizations.

Local Burns Night attendees can look forward to the aforementioned social hour, a performance by the Highland Dancers and traditional Scottish bagpiping signaling the parading of the Haggis, (a liver, onions, oats and spices main dish). An Ode to the Haggis and the Selkirk Grace follow. The Welsh Band DragonFyre will also perform authentic Celtic music during the evening.

A buffet dinner of traditional Scottish and American favorites at 7 p.m. precedes a round of toasts, a speech about the life of Burns, a recital of his poems, a satiracal toast to the lassies, and their tart reply to the laddies. Attendees can participate in a cash-only raffle for Scottish-related items before the evening concludes with everyone singing “Auld Lang Syne,” which Burns himself wrote.

Dress is evening attire. Men wear kilts or jackets and ties while women and children wear something dressy.

If you have a family tartan or Celtic style jewelry, you’re encouraged to wear it. If you don’t know your tartan, or don’t have one, simply wear something plaid.

To attend the Burns Night festivities, if you have not previously done so, mail a check, payable to the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg, to Avril Bishop, 5 Hardwick Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. Checks must be received by Wednesday April 29. Admission is $70 for adults, and $35 for children 12 and younger. Enclose a list of attendees for name tags.

Holiday Inn has set aside rooms for attendees needing accommodations. To reserve a room, call the Holiday Inn Conference Center at (540) 368-8000 by Friday April 24, and give the discount code “FSS”.

Burns Night information is posted on the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg, VA Facebook page.

Event questions should be emailed to: scotfred1@aol.com

Newcomers interested in joining the Society will receive an application with their invitation by return email. Society brochures will be available at the Burns Night check-in desk.

In 2009, Burns was chosen as “The Greatest Scot” of all time by the Scottish public in a vote conducted by Scottish television channel STV, narrowly beating William Wallace, who was depicted in the Academy Award winning movie Braveheart.

So, save the date…May 9, 2026, and tell your friends!