Every year on 25 January, Scots all over the world host a Burns Supper in honour of the Scottish Bard, Rabbie Burns.
This amazing event is a celebration of the life and works of Robert Burns and is a brilliant opportunity to host an evening filled with traditional Scottish food, drink, poetry and song with your friends and family – and while doing so, raising money for Waverley Care, Scotland’s HIV and hepatitis charity.
WHEN?
In 2026, Burns’ birthday falls on a Sunday, but you can celebrate whenever suits you best! Why not get your friends together on the Friday or Saturday for a weekend gathering? Or, if you’re a traditional Sunday roast connoisseur, why not swap your roast beef for haggis, neeps and tatties instead?
WHERE?
In Scotland, we’re famous for our warm hospitality and our love of a good get-together! Scots can be found all over the world, and the beauty of a Burns Supper is that you can host it anywhere – at home, in your local pub, a village hall, or your favourite restaurant. Wherever you are, the most important thing is to bring good people together and celebrate in true Caledonian style!
WHAT DO WE EAT AND DRINK?
Traditional Scottish fayre for a Burns Supper has to include the iconic Haggis, Neeps and Tatties as the main course. For a starter you can choose to indulge in a tasty Cullen Skink or Smoked Salmon. And for dessert, there’s the wonderful Cranachan, a Clootie Dumpling or some traditional Scottish Shortbread.
For the vegetarians among us, there are plenty of tasty twists on the traditional dishes available online – so everyone can join in the celebration!
And of course, no Burns Supper is complete without a wee dram of traditional whisky. Scotland’s biggest export, our finest single malts and blends can be found around the world. If whisky doesn’t take your fancy, why not serve Scotland’s other national drink – the glorious Irn Bru?
HOW DOES THE EVENING LOOK?
There are many traditional parts to a Burns Supper and you can use as many or as few as you like. The most important one is to “Address To The Haggis” before digging in. Download our resource below!
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT WAVERLEY CARE?
However you choose to celebrate, we’d love you to make your Burns Supper part of something even bigger – by helping to raise vital funds for Waverley Care.
You decide how much of the traditional celebration you’d like to include, and we’ll leave the rest to your creativity! Why not ask guests to bring along a dish to keep costs down, or sell tickets to your supper and donate the proceeds? You could even add some fun on the night with a raffle full of Scottish goodies or an auction of a delicious dram.
The simplest way to collect donations is by setting up a JustGiving page – it’s quick, easy, and means your support goes straight to helping people living with or affected by HIV and hepatitis in Scotland.
WHY SUPPORT WAVERLEY CARE?
Every ticket sold and donation made helps fund life-changing services, community projects, and outreach work for people affected by HIV and hepatitis across Scotland. By hosting a Burns Supper, you’re not just celebrating – you’re helping to create real, lasting change.
Your generosity brings us closer to our vision of a Scotland where everyone living with, or at risk of, HIV and hepatitis is treated with acceptance, support and respect.
And did you know? Scotland is on track to become one of the first countries in the world with no new HIV transmission by 2030. Your Burns Supper could help make that happen – turning a night of poetry, food and friendship into something truly life-changing.
ORGANISE YOUR EVENT TODAY
We’d love you to join with our supporters across the world in celebrating Robert Burns while raising awareness and funds for Waverley Care. For more information about us and for help in planning your event, contact us: fundraising@waverleycare.org
