On the birthday of Scotland’s national poet Rabbie Burns, Burns Night is an opportunity to have a kilt-raising, whiskey-filled good time in celebration. Even if you’re not in the big guy’s motherland for the day, join us for plenty of food, booze and partying.
Whether you choose to come along to both the Supper and the Ceildih, or just turn up to dance at the Ceilidh this promises to be fantastic evening.
THE SUPPER
High Grange is an award-winning BBQ Feast and Fire School venue nestled in its own woodland in the Blackdown Hills, but this time they are bringing their barbecues to the Marine Theatre! As with every year at their sold-out Burns Feasts, High Grange will offer fire-pit canapes while guests gather and listen to the sound of the bagpipes from piper Ben, before being seated at the communal tables for Luke’s home-made haggis, with neeps and tatties of course, and finishing with a lovely Cranachan pudding. Everything is cooked outside over fire. Sara is a Scot and we do this the traditional way – with the haggis piped in before the Ode To A Haggis and a whisky toast!
We will also be making a vegetarian haggis. Please note if you are a vegetarian when booking. We sadly cannot cater for other dietary requirements at this event.
“A fabulous meal, all cooked to perfection. Traditional Scottish Burns Night in Devon! We’ll be back”.
– Recent Burns Night Feast Attendees from Tripadvisor.
“Attended the Burns night feast. Truly magical atmosphere…Food magnificent, beautifully cooked and presented, service delightful”.
‘Burns Night, for me used to mean just looking forward to a nip or two of whiskey and the spectacle of someone squeezing a haunting tune from the bagpipes. However that all changed when I tasted the haggis that was made and delivered by Luke Mackay. Suddenly it became clear why this beautifully complex, savoury, succulent and significant cultural culinary product was the centrepiece of the celebration. In Luke’s hands, haggis is pure poetry and once a year isn’t enough’
– Steve Lamb
THE CEILIDH
Céilidh is derived from the Gaelic word to visit, and is linked with a time when house parties would host guests with entertainment ranging from telling stories and singing songs based on local folklore.
Over time the céilidh evolved into a structured step dance which requires a caller to shout out actions.
What to expect on Burns Night…… Rejig (the band) will be calling dances throughout the evening so even if you’ve never done Scottish Country Dancing before you’ll be instructed how! Sara has asked for all the traditional ones – the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Reel of the 51st and the Eightsome Reel, Dashing White Sergeant and many more all of which are easy to pick up. Rejig will also be singing some well known Burns songs in between….. you will be needing your dancing shoes for sure.
Rejig are a Devon-based 5 piece band playing an exciting blend of Scottish, Irish and self penned tunes, they have extensive experience of Burns Night ceilidhs and are a continuum of the long lived band, Jiggerypipery, “we realised after legendary piper James Robertson retired that there was still a place for the big sound we had, particularly at special occasions”…like Burns Night!
Piper Ben Scott is also Edinburgh-born. He’s an award-winning solo piper and also in a number of Pipe Bands including the prestigious National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. He has performed in many venues and at many Burns nights, and has travelled the world playing the bagpipes to audiences all over Europe and America.
THE EVENING’S PROGRAMME
7pm – Diners arrive, with fire-pit canapes served to the sounds of the bagpipes!
7.45pm – Diners will be seated at communal tables before the haggis is piped on and the Burns Supper is served.
9pm – Ceilidh guests arrive for a ceilidh led by renowned Burns night aficionados Rejiig, with a caller to lead everyone through the most popular Scottish dances.
Those who have tickets for both the supper and the céilidh will need to arrive at 7 p.m.
Those who have ticket for the céilidh alone will need to arrive at 9 p.m.
High Grange Website – www.highgrangedevon.com
