Dram O’Shanter: Burns celebration at Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Johnnie Walker Princes Street is inviting guests to toast the Bard at a very special evening dedicated to all things Burns on 25 January 2023.

The team at Edinburgh’s most exciting whisky experience has created a night not to be missed in the venue’s rooftop Explorers’ Bothy Bar, including a Cranachan clarified milk punch, created exclusively for the evening.

Dram O’Shanter’s menu includes four very special whiskies, paired with creative canapes: 

  • Haggis donut served with a whisky sauce and a dram of Mortlach Special Releases 2022
  • Whisky cured Scottish salmon with beetroot crème fraîche on a Stornoway oatcake served with a dram of Caol Ila Distillers Edition
  • Arbroath Smokie vol-au-vent topped with caviar & crispy leek served with a dram of Talisker 18 Year Old
  • Blackthorn salted chocolate cup topped with candied orange served with a dram of Royal Lochnagar 17 Year Old 175th anniversary
  • Cranachan clarified milk punch cocktail to finish

Vegan and gluten-free options can also be requested.

Attendees will also enjoy a number of live performances including Burns poems, songs and music as well as a contemporary Address to the Haggis as part of the night.

Dram O’Shanter takes place from 6-7.30pm on 25 -28 January 2023.

For more information and to book visit: 

https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-gb/visit-us-princes-street/book-whisky-tasting/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=press_release&utm_campaign=ds_jwps_burnsexperience_13012023#id=burns-whisky-tasting-experience

Rabbie’s back on Bernard Street!

Leith’s iconic Burns statue returned to its home on Bernard Street as Scotland prepared to celebrate the national bard.

The 19th century bronze sculpture was put into storage in December 2019 to make way for Trams to Newhaven construction. It has since undergone specialist conservation work before its reinstatement at Bernard Street’s junction with Constitution Street.

Yesterday, on the morning of Burns Night (Tuesday, 25 January), Council leaders, tram project officers and contractors were joined by conservationists and former Edinburgh Makar Alan Spence to unveil the monument.

They also marked the placement of a new time capsule underneath the statue, alongside an original capsule discovered in 2019, which contained relics from both the late 19th century and the 1960s.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m delighted to see this much-loved Robert Burns statue returned to its home in Leith – and spruced up thanks to specialist conservation work – just in time for Burns night.

It’s fantastic that so many members of the community have been able to contribute to the new time capsule placed underneath the statue. Thanks to their input we’ll be able to share an insight into Leith today with future generations, just like our 19th century forebears did when they buried the original time capsule.

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “What better way to celebrate Scotland’s national bard than the unveiling of this newly-restored statue?

Its return also marks progress being made on the Trams to Newhaven project, as the area begins to take shape. I’m excited to see what the coming months will bring as ongoing improvements are delivered.”

In November last year the Trams to Newhaven project reached its two-year point and, despite challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, including a 13-week site shutdown, remains on track for opening for revenue service in Spring 2023.

The next main phase of construction between Coatfield Lane and Queen Charlotte Street began this week, while it is hoped the current stage of work on Picardy Place, which has resulted in some changes to traffic management, will be complete by spring. The entire section from York Place to London Road is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.

On Tuesday, Alan Spence read out a specially written poem, which has been added to the 2021 time capsule created for the statue’s reinstatement. The capsule also contains poems and stories by Victoria Primary School pupils, a letter from the Edinburgh Burns Club, coins from 2021 and a face mask, amongst other artefacts.

This has been placed in a purpose-carved socket in the plinth underneath the monument along with the original time capsule, which originates from when the statue was first erected in 1898.

This was opened when the statue was moved in December 2019 and its contents include newspapers, coins and a letter from the Leith Burns Club. From 1961, there were newspapers and a letter from the people who had opened the original time capsule.

Meanwhile, Lord Hardie’s Edinburgh Tram Inquiry trundles on … EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING I wonder what Rabbie would have said about that!

Find out more about the Trams to Newhaven project online.

Burns Night: First Minister reflects on importance of Scotland’s national bard

Looking ahead to Burns Night 2018, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We’re very proud in Scotland that Burns Night is celebrated every year in towns and cities right around the world – from New Zealand to Norway and from Mexico to Malawi.

“Here in Scotland, there are events taking place the length and breadth of the country: from Dumfries’s Big Burns Supper, an 11 day festival, to Inverness’ Stramash – a celebration of Burns which this year has a special focus on children and young people. And of course Burns suppers will be taking place in homes and social venues throughout the land.

“I always think it’s remarkable and admirable that Scotland’s most celebrated national figure isn’t a politician, a soldier, or a king or queen, but is instead a writer – someone whose songs and poems have enriched millions of people’s lives.

“I think that says something about the continuing importance of culture in our lives. And of course it also highlights the enduring value of Burns’ work – the way his sympathy, humour and passion still speak profoundly to us today.

“For those qualities, and many more, Burns will be remembered and celebrated, ‘till a the seas gang dry.’

“So wherever you are, in Scotland or around the world, I hope you have a fantastic Burns Night.  And I hope you’ll join me in taking time to toast the immortal memory of the great Rabbie Burns.”

Information and tips on celebrating Burns Night is available online.

There’s a local opportunity to celebrate the life and works of Rabbie Burns at North Edinburgh’s very own Community Ceilidh on Saturday 3 February at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

Tickets are still available – see below for details:

 

 

 

OOR BURNS NIGHT @ CRAIGROYSTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

On Thursday 30th January Craigroyston Community High School will be celebrating Burns Night in their own special style. The fun starts at 6.30 pm and will end by 9pm. School students, adult learners and staff across all the subjects in the school will be involved and, of course, there will be haggis, neeps and tatties and brilliant entertainment.

Tickets cost £1.50 per adult and 50p per child. These must be purchased in advance from the school Reception.

Blue Flint (who just finished touring with the Proclaimers) have volunteered to provide the musical entertainment. The junior school choir will be singing, pupils from the Drama & English department will be involved in Burns recitals and the address to the haggis and a surprise piper will pipe in the haggis! Adult cookery tutors are overseeing the cooking, which is being done by adult students.

Donations for the raffle and quiz include – gold ear rings designed and crafted by a professional jewellery designer (who has also worked with our young people here in the school), a free family swimming pass, and vouchers from Morrison’s Supermarket amongst others. The quiz will be Burns-related and questions are being set by each department to ensure a wide range of knowledge is required.

Come along on 30th and join in this fantastic evening.

Sainsbury’s adds spice to Drylaw Burns Supper

Just thought I would let you know about the recent event at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

The store provided the ingredients for a Burns Supper that was enjoyed by the North West Support Services Monday Cooking Club, the Jubilee Club and the Youth Club.  They had a great time celebrating the life of our
great bard, Robert Burns.SAM_1272

The photograph shows service users from the centre and some of our colleagues.

Shay, Sainsbury’s

North Edinburgh’s bubbling over with Burns

There will be at least two local opportunities to celebrate the birth of the Bard next Friday (25th January).

The Prentice Centre in Granton Mains is the venue for an afternoon debate and discussion on Scotland’s future (something Burns himself cared passionately about) while in the evening at North Edinburgh Arts the Transition Group’s latest World Cafe event will have a definite tartan flavour with a menu packed with Scottish favourites.

See flyers below for more details:

prenticeburns

WorldCafeBurns