It is rare we need a reason for a party, but the chance to celebrate one of our most famous sons who took a small corner of Ayrshire to the world always stokes national pride across the country.

It is thought the first Burns supper was held by friends of the bard on the fifth anniversary of his death.

Over 250 years later, it is now a global event, with thousands of haggis' munched on and bagpipes blaring.

Whether you like to go trad with a full-blown Burns Supper, or prefer do things a little differently, there is a Burns celebration for everyone.

Here are six ways to celebrate Burns night wherever you are.

Head for the home toun

The Herald: BURNS AFLAME: Staff at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum light up for Alloway 1759. Picture by Christian Cooksey.

‘Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, for honest men and bonnie lasses’

We are never usually shy about celebrating our most famous sons and daughters, so perhaps it is no surprise that Ayrshire lays on a full programme of events around Burns night to mark the birth of one of their most famous exports.

‘Burns on the Beach’ on Friday, January 24, features a collection of unique light installations and a cosy bonfire on Ayr beach as part of a collaboration with Scotland’s ‘Year of Coasts and Water’.

However, some of the installations will be available to view on the night itself.

The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is also offering a free family Gala Day on January 25, featuring a host of activities, food and drink tastings, live music and in the evening, the Blazing Burns Night Spectacular with a ceilidh and choreographed fire show.

Find out more here.

Hunt a haggis in Glasgow

The Herald:

Most of us know that real Haggis live in the wild and are uncatchable by mere mortals or those living south of Berwick.

Thankfully, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society have announced they are planning to release some of their captive breeds around Glasgow for visitors to grab - with prizes available for those lucky enough to find one.

The Society is offering a range of bottles, memberships and tasting boxes for people who locate one of their 18 haggises.

Your only clue on the hunt is the hairy haggis’ will be placed in secret locations around Bath Street and near some iconic Glasgow landmarks on January 25.

Simply find one and take it to The Good Spirits on Bath Street to claim your prize.

We should say The Herald does not condone the trophy hunting of Haggis in any form, so please search responsibly.

Burns Fright

Given the macabre nature of some of Burns best known works, this mashup of a traditional supper and a chance to explore one of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations brings all the gothic glory of Tam O’Shanter to life over two nights in the capital.

Popular restaurant Wedgewood and the Real Mary King’s Close teamed up for the event, held on the 24th and 25th of January, last year, but it proved so popular, it has now returned for a second edition.

Guests are treated to a three-course meal, complete with haggis, neeps and tatties, before journeying below Edinburgh’s streets into the eerie buried close.

There’s no need to worry about facing the devil without usquabae however, as the evening ends with a dram in the Burgh courtroom

Find out more here.

Haggis under the stars

The Herald: Stargazing

Few Burns night events make use of Scotland’s natural environment, however this truly unique evening in the Highlands allows those marking the bard’s birthday to do so under a blanket of stars.

Hosted in the stunning surroundings of Abriachan Forest, Dark Sky Burns Night serves up traditional fayre with a stargazing twist.

Guests will be treated to a mixture of Burns poetry and skywatching exercises, narrated by leading astronomer Stephen Mackintosh.

As with all outdoor events in Scotland, this is weather permitting, so please do check the conditions before heading out.

Find out more here.

Tae’ a Mousse

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As the countdown to celebrating Scotland’s most famous bard (poet) begins and in celebration of Rabbie Burns and his legacy, Burns Night, we have one of Scotland’s favourite national dishes in the form of ice cream, Haggis! Meat free of course but with the many spicy notes associated with the iconic dish that is used to celebrate Rabbie Burns. We’ve also got a fine array of Scottish flavours including Irn Bru sorbet, Cranachan and of course one of our most popular flavours, tablet. In the words of the great man....... Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the pudding-race! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 In a week where we countdown to celebrating one of Scotland’s finest, tell us what your favourite thing about Scotland is? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #RabbieBurns #AddressToAHaggis #ScotsHistory #ScotlandsNationalCelebration #yearofcoastandwaters2020

Haggis, neeps and tatties? Completed it. Haggis Pizza? Got the t-shirt. Haggis Burger? Been there, done that.

Scotland’s national dish has become a trendy addition to several dishes in recent years, but an ice-cream parlour in Fife has taken it to new levels by introducing its own frozen haggis treats.

Jannettas in St Andrews has introduced Haggis-flavoured ice-cream in the week leading up to Burns night, using a unique blend of spices commonly found in the dish.

The recipe has been kept under close wraps, however the gelateria has let slip that it contains no meat.

Stay in

It is still January in Scotland and with the cold weather continuing to bite, few could be blamed for hunkering down with the tv on and the heating cranked up.

Thankfully, those choosing to wait out the freeze will not be kept from celebrating the bard’s birthday courtesy of Papa John’s - who have introduced their very own haggis pizza to celebrate Scotland’s national poet.

The traditional base comes topped with Macsween haggis and crispy potatoes, exactly as Burns would have wanted it...probably.

The limited edition Pizza is only available until February 24.