Burns for Kids 2017 on BBC Radio Scotland

January 20, 2017

I just spent a colourful afternoon celebrating the work of Robert Burns and discussing family friendly Burns activities coming up across Scotland with Louise White on ‘Out for the Weekend’. So if you’re looking for events to attend with your family listen at 01.24.50 here and see what takes your interest.

REVEL WITH RABBIE, 22 January Stirling Castle 12-4pm. As well as discussing how to address a haggis the Stirling Lines will also be up conversation. The story of when Burns engraved onto a window pane of a hotel he was staying at, now The Golden Lion, his thoughts about the state of the nation.

“Here Stuarts once in glory reigii’d, And laws for Scotland’s weal ordain’d ; But now unroof‘d their palace stands, Their sceptre’s sway’d by other hands. The injur’d Stuart line is gone, A race outlandish fills their throne An idiot race, to honour lost : Who know them best despise them most.”  He didn’t mince his words…

BURNS FOR BEGINNERS, Edinburgh Castle Saturday 21 January 2017 to Wednesday 25 January 2017. Robert Burns, is one of Scotland’s literary greats, but what exactly was he talking about? Many youngsters don’t speak or read the Scots of Burns so this gentle and light-hearted introduction to the bard may work for all ages. Crowd participation is promised so should be colourful.

BURNS UNBOUND at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, 11am to 4pm, Sunday 22 January 2017. The museum is hosting a day of free family-friendly Burns activities in the Auditorium and Grand Gallery. Storytelling, learn to ceilidh dance, wee ones can sign up for a session of ‘Traditional Tunes for Tiny People’, and children’s theatre show (interactive show) called ‘Oor Rabbie’. [All afternoon folk musicians are providing entertainment for all ages.

BIG BURNS STRAMASH 2017: THE WEE BURNS CEILIDH 22 January. Inverness is promising a really lively weekend of activities at Eden Court. Throughout the day there are family friendly workshops, including lantern making, as well as stop by our cinema to see a very special film premiere of the Burns Stramash Up – a film made by local primary school children. The cafe is serving traditional Burns fayre, and after dark there’s a lantern lit procession along the River Ness. My favourite activity is the Wee Burns Ceilidhs to celebrate Rabbie Burns. Aimed at children under the age of 8, but older siblings and parents are welcome too. If ceilidhs are a playground for adults imagine what fun the kids will have.

BURNS BIG BIRTHDAY BASH Sun 29 Jan 9.00am-5.00pm Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. For the first time in over 100 years, the front door of Burns Cottage will be open in celebration of his birthday. A mix of events are organised including ‘Burns for bairns’ in the Education Pavilion, a World Haggis Hurling Championship 2017 between 1.00-3.00pm, traditional craft demonstrations in Burns Cottage and live traditional music (including Alistair McCulloch on the Gregg violin). This is the violin played by Burns’ dance instructor William Gregg, it’s a fun and relevant story for kids as Burns attended these dance classes which annoyed his dad beyond belief. It just shows that keeping up with the latest music, the latest dance trends always annoys your parents, whatever generation you belong to.

BURNS AT THE MAUCHLINE MUSEUM, Ayrshire, 28-29 January, 12 noon-4.00pm. A two day programme of free Burns events for the family including puppet making, storytelling, screen printing, kirkyard tours led by Mauchline Burns Club, poetry and music. A lot of history here too for adults and older children. Burns lived and worked in Mauchline between 1784 and 1788, and Burns and his wife Jean Armour actually lived in the building that is now the museum. As well as the special events there’s also artefacts and documents in the museum itself

TAM O’SHANTER Exhibition at Rozelle House Galleries in Ayr. Till 12 Mar the gallery is exhibiting the entire collection of paintings illustrating Tam o’Shanter by Alexander Goudie. This is only the second time these paintings have been publicly shown and the first time in Ayrshire.

BAIRN’S DAY OUT. They Big Burns Supper in Dumfries includes performances, music, comedy and events across the area from 20-29 January. Acts such as Lulu and Charlie Lansborough are performing but it’s also holding a Bairn’s Day Out 28 Jan 1.00pm at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries. Devised by mums the theatre will be transformed into a giant playground for children to enjoy performance and music. Hamish the Haggis will show the kids how to do the Highland Fling properly.

CURVEBALL SUGGESTIONS. If your kids are besotted with their dogs then the Pooch Pantry in Troon is holding a Doggy Burns Supper on 22 January from 2pm. Haggis flavoured doggy treats, whisky liqueurs for their owners and we will also be offering a prize for the best dressed dog in tartan. For kids who like the spice of life, the Raj Restaurant in Edinburgh mixing India and Scotland for Burns Night, think Haggis Pakora, Spicy Neeps and Bombay Tatties! The owner reassuringly describes the food as a “fiery treat” but says it “won’t blow your head off!” which makes me laugh.

STAY AT HOME. Great food, you can’t go wrong with haggis, neeps and tatties. Suitable even for very young children. Visit Scotland also has a great Rabbie for Kids set online that’s easy to download if you want an afternoon of activities in your own house. http://static.visitscotland.com/pdf/rabbie-for-kids.pdf

Have a great Burns night.

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