People from all over the UK will be attending Burns Night celebrations this evening as the nation gets together to honour the life and works of renowned Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns (1759-1796), on what would have been his birthday.
We hope to inspire some exceptionally Scottish celebrations tonight with a list of our favourite Robbie Burns day-related Guinness World Records titles...
1. Largest Burns supper
The largest Burns supper ever was held in Glasgow last year, with an incredible 645 guests. The party was hosted by the Lord Provosts Burns Supper 2015 and sponsored by The Glenrothes Single Malt Whisky. Over £100,000 was raised on the night for charities including the Lord Provosts Malawi Fund and Bobath Scotland.
2. Largest bagpipe ensemble
It is traditional for Burns Night partiers to be welcomed in by a piper, but this is most important for the evening’s star guest – the haggis. Guests stand to welcome the feast which should be brought in on a silver platter in a procession of the chef, the piper and the person who will address the haggis.
Larger gatherings may even invite a bagpipe band. However, the largest bagpipe ensemble consisted of 333 participants at an event organised by the Art of Living Foundation in the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 16 May 2012. The attempt used traditional Bulgarian "kaba gaida" bagpipes which are from the Rhodope region of Bulgaria.
3. Largest haggis
In 2014, thirty years after Hall’s of Scotland first earned a world record for the largest haggis, the meat producer decided that the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh was the perfect opportunity to reclaim their title.
Weighing in at almost a ton (1,010kg), the new record-setting haggis measured an impressive 2.5 m in length and a metre in width and height – doubling the size set by the previous title holder.
The challenge was tackled by a 12-strong team of Hall’s staff, with the finished haggis so large that it had to be transported to the show on the back of a truck.
4. Largest serving of mashed potato
The Burns supper haggis is conventionally partnered with “neeps and tatties” – mashed potato and swede.
The largest serving of mashed potatoes is 1042 kg (2297 lbs) achieved by the Futuroscope and Joël Robuchon (both France) in Poitiers, France on 29 September 2012. The quality of the mash was checked throughout the attempt and was served to the Futuroscope park's visitors on the day.
5. Oldest operating Scotch whiskey distillery
Without a doubt, Scotland’s finest malt whiskey will be flowing all night.
The oldest operating Scotch whisky distillery is the Strathisla Distillery in Keith, Banffshire, Scotland which was founded in 1786.
6. Most kilts put on in one minute
Get into the Scottish spirit by wearing tartan – or see if you can beat Rachel Walker’s (UK) record for the most kilts put on in 60 seconds as a party game. The current total is four.
7. Most caber tosses in three minutes
Caber tossing is not essential, but having a go at the traditional Scottish sport could add another layer of fun to Burns Night revelries.
The most caber tosses in three minutes is 14 and was achieved by Kevin Fast (Canada) in Quinte West, Ontario, Canada, on 7 September 2013. Kevin used two cabers during the attempt, each 16 ft 6 in (5.02 m) in length and weighing 92 lb (41.73 kg). Kevin is a multiple Guinness World Records title holder and he is showing no signs of slowing down in his record breaking efforts.
8. Most frequently sung songs
Usually the evening ends with dancing and everyone joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne. The song (originally the Strathspey I Fee'd a Lad at Michaelmass) is one of the most frequently sung songs in English, some words of which were written by Robert Burns himself.
