A picture of Scottish poet Robert Burns, whose birthday is marked each year with Burns Night celebrations around the world. Burns, born in 1759, is widely regarded as Scotland’s national bard. (Poetry Foundation/website)

By BattlefordsNOW Staff

CULTURE

Haggis, pipes and Highland dancing to set the stage for Battlefords’ Robbie Burns Night

Jan 13, 2026 | 4:29 PM

For some, it’s the haggis that raises eyebrows. For others, it’s the sound of bagpipes, the swirl of Highland dancers or the chance to sample a dram of scotch on a cold January night.

All of it comes together Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Alex Dillabough Centre, when the Battlefords Highland Dance Association hosts its annual Robbie Burns Night — a community celebration marking the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns.

Burns suppers are held around the world, and the Battlefords’ version has deep local roots.

“It’s really a huge birthday party,” said Amanda Maunula, president of the Highland Dance Association Parents’ Board.

“Battleford’s Highland Dance Association has been hosting an annual Burns Night, including supper and ceilidh, for about 60 years.”

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Doors open at 5 p.m., with a full evening planned that includes a roast beef dinner, haggis tasting, scotch tasting, raffles, Highland dancing, pipes and drums, and a ceilidh — pronounced “kay-lee” — to close out the night.

A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish and Irish social gathering featuring folk music, dancing, and storytelling.

Local Highland dancers will perform alongside the Battlefords’ Legion Branch #9 Pipes and Drums, joined by guests from Branch #63 in Saskatoon. Live music by Back of the Bus and a DJ will carry the night into the final ceilidh.

While music and dance anchor the evening, haggis often steals the early spotlight.

“The haggis would definitely be one of them. It is something that draws people,” Maunula said, adding that scotch tasting has become more popular in the last couple of years.

Traditionally, haggis is made from sheep’s offal mixed with oats, suet, onions and spices, and cooked inside a sheep’s stomach, though modern versions commonly use lamb, beef or pork and are prepared in artificial casings, according to Wilderness Scotland.

“I think it can be an acquired taste and until you try it, you don’t really know,” she said. “It’s probably a mind over matter thing.”

The haggis served at the event follows the modern preparation and is sourced from a supplier in Edmonton and reheated on site.

From left, 1050 CJNB morning host Grant Schutte, Amanda Maunula, president of the Highland Dance Association Parents Board, and her daughter, Sophie Maunula, pose in the 1050 CJNB studio in North Battleford on Jan. 13, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Haggis

Despite the food and drink, Maunula emphasized that Robbie Burns Night is meant to be welcoming and family-friendly.

“You don’t have to be Scottish to attend this event. You can come from anywhere, come and just enjoy the night with us.”

Attendance typically sits around 300 people, she said, with turnout often boosted by graduating dancers and the appeal of a once-a-year winter gathering.

“It’s just a really great night out,” Maunula said. “It’s something different and it only happens once a year.”

Tickets must be purchased in advance through the association’s Facebook page, with sales closing Sunday, Jan. 18.

“If you want to come out and take part in our Scottish Night, please go to our Facebook page and contact us for tickets,” Maunula said.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com