A LEADING four-star hotel is preparing to host its annual Burns Night celebrations.

On January 20, fans of the famous Scottish bard Robert Burns will be able to enjoy a traditional meal of haggis, neeps, tatties and whiskey to the sounds of pipes and drums at Congresbury's Cadbury House. 

In July 1801, the first Burns supper was held in honour of the anniversary of the bard's death. It was so successful that another celebration was held on what would have been Burns' birthday, and is now honoured across the globe.

The Cadbury House website reads: "Spend an exciting night at Cadbury House where age old traditions will come together to celebrate Robert Burns, and Scottish history. 

"Join us from 6:30pm when the bar will open, ready to be sat down for 7:30pm for a four course dinner with whiskey and a traditional bagpipe to address the haggis. The evening will close at 11pm."

For starters, guests will be served with a parsnip and Scottish heather honey soup. This will then be followed by the obligatory course of haggis, neeps and tatties served with a whisky sauce.

The cutting of the haggis will be accompanied by Burns' famous poem, Address to a Haggis.

The main course will include a braised featherblade of beef, dauphinoise potato, braised red cabbage, chantenay carrots and red wine jus while a vegetarian option of a vegetable wellington with wild mushroom fricassée is also available.

Guests can enjoy a cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert which includes cream, fresh raspberries and Scottish oats to finish.

Gareth Ireland, general manager said: “We’ve held Burns suppers at Cadbury House for many years and are always fun occasions. Everyone enjoys a hearty feast, which includes haggis of course, plus plenty of whisky. There are lots of traditions and we hold true to many of these during our own Burns night.

“Lots of people come dressed in traditional Scottish kilts and tartans which adds to the overall ambience and occasion and I’m sure will be the same again.

“The piper band and drummers really is an amazing spectacle and adds further to the whole evening.”

The cost of the night is £45 per person, and places can be reserved by contacting the hotel.