Since 1801 we've been celebrating the anniversary of Rabbie Burns birthday on 25th January 1759. There's more than one way to celebrate Burns Night which, this year, conveniently falls on a Friday.
Haggis, tatties and neeps, and a dram or two of whisky are usually involved. Perhaps a wee bobber too. Of course, words, Burns's words, such as the ever-popular Address to a Haggis, are usually an integral part.
So here's some events to get you going...
The Scottish Storytelling Centre celebrates the life of Robert Burns with story, song and poetry and a traditional supper. Storytellers Linda Bandelier, David Campbell and Donald Smith will be spinning yarns and Burns tonight and tomorrow at 7pm. Advance booking essential.
On Saturday, the Garvald Centre is hosting a Burn's Night fundraiser at the St Bride's Centre, with music from The Columcille Ceilidh Band - The Gherkins, Rise Kagona and special guests, and "a Sma' haggis included." That's from 8pm to midnight.
The monthly meeting of long-running Guid Crack Club, with Paraig MacNeil, will have a Burn's theme on Friday at 7.30pm. Meet at the Waverley Bar to exchange stories and yarns. All welcome. Cover is £3.
Also, not to be forgotten is the big bash at the Assembly Rooms - a Burns Night Charity Ceilidh along traditional lines, with Calum Marwick and his Ceilidh Band, a mini pipe band, highland dancers, toast to the haggis. That's on Saturday 26 January, 8pm-midnight.
One more wordy event on Burns Night itself is Edinburgh’s popular Big Word performance poetry event downstairs at the City Cafe from 8.30 to 11.30pm (doors 8pm, tickets £4/£3) where they promise to be celebrating "in contrary style". Local performers and wordsmiths such as A F Harrold, Shellsuit Massacre, Kevin Cadwallander and musician James Waterman will be providing entertainment with "a completely un-Burns related cabaret featuring no haggis, tartan or indeed, neeps..." If Burns were alive, maybe he'd be there too?