Happy Burns Night! Where to celebrate Scotland’s national poet in Exeter tonight

From the skirl of the bagpipes to the unmistakable aroma of haggis and whisky, Burns Night is being celebrated across Exeter tonight, with pubs, restaurants and venues embracing all things Scottish in honour of the national bard, Robert Burns.

Marked every year on 25 January, Burns Night is traditionally a time for poetry, music and food, and Exeter residents do not have to travel far to take part. 

From relaxed pub suppers to high-end dining experiences, venues across the city are putting on special menus and events to mark the occasion.

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At City Gate, by Exeter’s Iron Bridge, the atmosphere is warm and unmistakably Scottish this evening. A roaring log fire, candlelit tables and dimmed lights set the scene, while the kitchen serves up a Sunday roast with a Highland twist. 

Diners can opt for a haggis roast with all the trimmings for £19.50, or try haggis as a side dish alongside the pub’s usual roast options with a option of a curated selection of Scottish whiskies.

Over on Melbourne Street, The Hour Glass Inn is hosting a full Celtic celebration. Guests gather for a communal dinner featuring a traditional three-course menu, starting with cullen skink, followed by haggis, neeps and tatties, and finishing with cranachan. 

The evening includes a traditional Burns reading and live bagpipe music, offering a classic take on the annual celebration. 

Tickets are priced at £45 and include a welcome drink, with pre-booking required for the 7pm event.

For those looking for a more relaxed, music-led night, The Old Firehouse on New North Road is buzzing from 9pm. 

Local bands take to the stage as part of the venue’s regular live music programme, while the kitchen serves up a special Scottish-inspired pizza topped with potatoes, haggis and a creamy whisky sauce. 

With no tickets required, it’s a casual way to celebrate Burns Night with friends and a dram or two.

At the other end of the spectrum, Lympstone Manor’s Pool House Restaurant, just outside Exeter, is offering a luxury take on the tradition. 

Guests are treated to a four-course Scottish dinner created by Michael Caines’ team, complete with canapés, fizz on arrival, wine pairings, coffee and petit fours. 

Live bagpipe music and a formal “Address to a Haggis” form part of the evening, with seating from 7.30pm. 

Closer to the city centre, Browns on Haven Road, near Exeter Quayside, is running a Scottish-inspired menu across the weekend. 

Diners can choose classic dishes such as smoked salmon with capers and rye bread, haggis with neeps and tatties, and a traditional cranachan dessert. 

The menu is available as a set offering, with two courses for £26 or three for £32, and optional whisky pairings for those wanting to fully embrace the spirit of the night.

Whether it’s poetry and piping, comfort food and whisky, or a lively night of music, Burns Night is very much alive in Exeter this evening, giving residents plenty of ways to raise a glass to Scotland’s most famous poet.