Burns Night events in Kent in January 2024
Published: 05:00, 18 January 2024
Updated: 09:14, 19 January 2024
Scottish holiday Burns Night is just around the corner, but it’s not just our northern friends who celebrate the traditional event.
There are plenty of places in Kent that are serving up hearty plates of haggis, neeps and tatties and a warming glass of whisky to honour the life and legacy of poet Robert Burns.
The Five Bells Inn, in East Brabourne near Ashford, is throwing an early Burns Night party this week, with a tasty helping of Scottish dishes in place of its usual pub grub menu on Saturday, January 20.
There will also be a nighttime parade of pipers and flaming torches making its way from the pub to Brabourne Church, all to commemorate the 18th century poet.
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to join the festivities, as nationwide pub chain Wetherspoon is bringing back its annual Burns Week event.
The budget boozer will give punters a chance to sample its limited edition menu, which includes haggis, neeps and tatties and a Caledonian burger with whisky sauce, as well as Cairngorm Nessie’s Monster Mash beer and Glenfiddich and Glenmorangie whisky.
You can get these Scottish treats as part of a meal deal, which includes your choice of drink with either of the main meals, at locations all over the country from Monday, January 22 to Sunday, January 28.
No matter what you think of the ear-splitting instrument, it simply wouldn't be Burns Night without some bagpipes.
The Hook and Hatchet in Hucking, near Maidstone, is putting on a three-course meal for under £30 with entertainment from a professional bagpiper on Thursday, January 25.
Many Scots will tell you that Burns Night is a great excuse to raise a glass to the influential writer, so Squerryes Estate in Westerham is honouring that tradition this year.
The vineyard will be putting on a six-course tasting menu with wine pairings and drinks from Port Charlotte and Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie whisky producers.
The menu will be inspired by Scottish meals and ingredients from the estate and is available on Thursday, January 25.
Ale house and tapas bar This Ancient Boro, in Tenterden, is swapping small plates for Scottish delicacies for one night only.
On Thursday, January 25, the bar will be treating diners to a special Burns Night menu with five courses, including smoked salmon, cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, cranachan and homemade shortbread.
Two Shepherd Neame pubs will also be putting on a Burns Night celebration this year, with a special set menu of Scottish delights.
There will be Cullen skink soup, followed by haggis, neeps and tatties, venison steak and a dessert of cranachan. Diners can also enjoy a free dram of Glenfiddich whisky and a tutored tasting session.
The meal will be on offer on Wednesday, January 24 at the Sun Inn in Faversham and Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27 at the Vine Inn in Tenterden.
To round off the weekend, there are two final meals on offer - a menu of cock-a-leekie soup, whisky braised beef and a vegan option at Hall Place in Bexley and a five-course meal followed by bagpipes and dancing at the Albion House in Ramsgate - to make sure you get your fill of Scottish fare.
These two venues will be laying on their Burns Night dinners on Saturday, January 27.
Burns Night officially takes place on Thursday, January 25.
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Sam Lawrie