Memphis Scottish Society

Robert Burns 1759-1796

The Legend of Burns Nicht

The most powerful law in the scientific world is the law of unintended consequences! In 1801, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Burns, nine men who knew him met for dinner in Burns Cottage in Alloway to celebrate his life and works. The Master of Ceremonies was a local minister – a liberal theologian and an equally liberal host. Hamilton Paul and his guests shared Masonic brotherhood with Rabbie and Paul devised an evening which looked a bit like a lodge ceremonial, centred on a fine fat haggis; with recitation and singing of Burns’s works and a toast (in verse) to the memory of their friend and hero.

It was such a jolly evening, all agreed to meet again the following January for a Birthday Dinner for the bard, little knowing that they had invented a global phenomenon that we know as the BURNS SUPPER – which still broadly follows the Reverend’s original plan.

Burns’s popularity grew rapidly after his untimely death and the idea of meeting annually to share his poems and songs in the bonds of friendship caught the public imagination. Some Ayrshire merchants in Greenock followed with the first Burns Club Supper in January 1802 and the West coast towns with strong links to Rabbie reached out and joined in the new festival: Paisley, Irvine, Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

Typically, a dozen or more men sat down to dine – as often working men as the middle classes – sometimes in a bar Rab had frequented. But the real link was his poetry with its message of love, freedom and the essential value of humanity. Many early suppers were organised by Burns Clubs who exist today, but a big boost in participation came with the big literary Burns Suppers, the original organised by Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh in 1815 with Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd giving the Immortal Memory. [read more]

Used by kind permission of scotland.org

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Clark McGinn comes from Ayr but has been speaking at Burns Suppers for what his audience often says is a long, long time. He is the author of the popular ‘The Ultimate Burns Supper Book’ based on his experiences internationally and has just published ‘The Ultimate Guide To Being Scottish’

Memphis Scottish Society’s
27th Annual
Burns Nicht Dinner

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The Memphis Scottish Society invites all lovers of Robert Burns and Scotland to join for our Burns Nicht Dinner, a feast not only for your palate but for your other senses as well, delighting the eye with the vibrant hues of the tartan and the flash of the kilt and the ear with Burns’ beloved poems and songs, speeches in tribute to him, bantering toasts and the skirl of the pipes.

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Woodland Hills Ballroom

at the intersection of Houston Levee Road (Hall Road) & Woodland Hills Drive
10000 Woodland Hills Drive
Cordova, TN 38018
[Map]

Saturday, 23 January, 2010

Seating & Social Hour 6 PM Dinner 7 PM Cash Bar

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Piping in the Haggis

Bagpipes, drums, Scottish dancing, poetry and dinner, all to celebrate Robert Burns, Scotland’s favorite bard


Entertainment by
Ed Miller

Ed Miller has been hailed as “one of the finest singers to come out of the Scottish folk song Revival” and as “one of Scotland’s best singing exports.” Originally from Edinburgh, he has for many years been based in Austin, where he gained graduate degrees in Folklore and Geography at the University of Texas. Ed performs at concerts, clubs, house concerts, festivals, Highland Games and Burns Suppers, as well as for lectures and workshops, and has recorded 8 CDs of Scottish songs.

Price*	Level	Includes
$50.00	Members	-
$60.00	Non-Member	Buy 2 and become a member!
$70.00	Patrons	(Preferential seating, private reception and whisky tasting at 5:00 PM)
$100.00	Benefactor	Same as Patron benefits, plus acknowledgment in program

*Seniors over 65 entitled to $10 discount. Table of 10: $500. Vegetarian entrée available with advance notice.

Please register by January 15, 2010
if you are planning to attend!

Other Links

Burns Nicht on Facebook | Tell us how you will celebrate
More info on Burns Nicht | Burns Nicht interactive
Make your own funny Burns Nicht ceilidh dance