"The Scottish Government are funding five events as part of the Scottish Winter Festival programme:
Big Burns Supper, 24-26 Jan - Dumfries
Live from Dumfries, the home of the World’s Biggest Burns Night Celebration – presenting a light inspired carnival parade, featuring a cast of over 2,000 as they reignite the spirit of Homecoming in the Southern Capital on Burns Night through a massive creative performance project including an original soundtrack, giant puppetry and a host of colourful characters who are all looking to get home in time for the parade. The World’s Biggest Burns Supper will be a region-wide public engagement project that will draw on communities throughout Dumfries & Galloway to create a platform for increased visitor growth and celebration, leading to the Biggest Burns Night Celebration in the World.Two signature events will help create a celebration that will put Dumfries firmly on the map, as the first destination for Burns Night in the World – providing the region with a legacy that will continue after the event cycle.
Scottish Storytelling Centre, variety of events until 25 Jan - Edinburgh
This will be a fun, family friendly series of events that will promote Scotland’s rich history in a modern and unique manner.Explore Robert Burns' master narrative and learn how to recite Tam O’ Shanter, join Linten Adie and friends from the Scots Music Groupfor an afternoon of songs and music to celebrate Robert Burns, be inspired and entertained in a fun, interactive afternoon of storytelling or enjoy a Burns Supper in the beautiful setting of the Storytelling Café, hosted by storytellers David Campbell and Linda Bandelier, with clarsach player Katie Harrigan. There are a wide range of events taking place throughout the weekend for Scots and Scots at heart to enjoy.
Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, 25 Jan - Burns Museum, Alloway
This prestigious international Award is presented annually to an individual or group who has saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service, 'hands on' charitable/volunteer work, or other acts. Winners receive the equivalent of 1759 guineas – a sum which signifies the year of the Bard’s birth and the coinage then in circulation – as well as a specially commissioned hand-crafted award.
Burns Life of the Poet, 25 Jan - Eden Court, Inverness
Join us on the 25 January 2014 as we kick the evening off in the city center with our hilarious Haggis Highland Games and then accompany us on our procession through the streets of the city centre, across the river and over to Eden Court. As soon as we arrive there will be an eye-catching outdoor projection display, plus all around the building bite-sized drama performances based around key moments in the Bard’s life will take place. The icing on the cake will be a traditional Ceilidh in the OneTouch Theatre (we’ll even teach you a few standard dances like Strip the Willow and The Dashing White Sergeant).
Burns Unbound, 25-26 Jan, NMS Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride
Join us at the National Museum of Rural Life for a celebration of the works of Robert Burns and the Scottish traditions associated with this time of year. Enjoy a packed programme featuring family craft activities, costumed characters, gallery trails, music, storytelling, theatre, and food and drink themed around some of the national bard’s most famous works. You can also explore our 1950s working farm, Georgian farmhouse and award-winning museum, open all day. Burns Unbound! We are proud to be part of the celebrations for Homecoming Scotland 2014. Spread the word and join our celebrations!"
If you can't make it to one of the events, then there is a range of fun and interative information available over at www.scotland.org/burns.
For those of you looking for ideas of things to do with your little ones, have a look at the post I did last year for Play Talk Read... 30 braw things to do before you're three.
I also spotted a flyer on my travels for the Guy's Restaurant & Bar Charity Burns Night 2014 and it looks to be a good night out. Would appear that tickets are still available too.
Have you got your haggis ready?
A burns night supper over at happythought
