A survey conducted by industry leadership organisation Scotland Food & Drink reveals that the nation still has a passion for the bard with around half (49%) of Scottish adults planning to celebrate Burns Night this year.
Date:
Tue, 24 Jan 2012
Source:
Scotland Food & Drink INSIGHTS
This comes as good news for Scotland’s haggis makers with almost 3 in 4 (73%) adults in Scotland claiming to eat or enjoy the national dish and more than 1.3 million* Scots (32%) are preparing to cook one at home for Burns celebrations. And despite the plethora of new ways to serve it, from pizza toppings to taco ingredient, it would seem that the old ones are still the best with the haggis with traditional casing proving to be the overwhelming favourite with 43% of the votes.
But haggis, neeps, tatties and whisky might not be the only products from Scotland’s larder on tables this week. Respondents to the survey cited venison (39%), salmon or trout (40%), beef (32%) and Scottish ales, stouts and lagers (42%) as contemporary alternatives to serve at a Burns supper.
The results also revealed a trend towards celebrating at home with just 3% of respondents planning to head out for a meal and 5% attending a traditional ceilidh.
Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said, “Burns Night is celebrated across the globe, and it’s great to see that many Scots, and Scots at heart, will be tucking in to haggis - as indeed will I.
“1.3 million people plan to cook our national dish at home this year - but haggis, neeps and tatties isn’t the only dish from Scotland’s larder being served in memory of our national Bard. Scottish venison, salmon or trout and beef will also be enjoyed nationwide along with Scottish ales, stouts and lagers as contemporary ‘dram’ alternatives. A fitting climax to Scotland’s winter festival programme and further proof that Scotland is a land of food and drink.
“If it’s haggis, neeps and tatties or haggis topped pizza, let’s all raise a glass of whisky to Burns and our national dish which solidly remains the great chieftain o' the pudding-race – slàinte math!”
Commenting on the survey, Andrew Niven, INSIGHTS Manager at Scotland Food & Drink commented, “It’s very encouraging to see so many consumers planning to celebrate Burns with a traditional supper at home and the passion for Scottish produce that this reflects. Cultural events like this are a fantastic opportunity for producers to drive sales and showcase the best of what Scotland has to offer, from the traditional to the contemporary. And while the economic situation has seen Scots tighten their belt when it comes to eating out, many innovative pubs and restaurants up and down the country will be attracting customers with their own tribute to one of Scotland’s finest exports, Robert Burns.”
Scotland Food & Drink’s chief executive James Withers commented, “Whilst it is fantastic that haggis still plays a significant role in our Burns Night celebrations, I am also encouraged by the fact that other iconic Scottish products such as venison, salmon and beef are finding their way into our celebratory meals. Scotland and its Land of Food and Drink image is all about the wide range of top quality Scottish dishes being prepared in both new and traditional ways and enjoyed by people of all ages and from all parts of the country.”
*Based on ONS statistics placing Scottish adult population at 4,184,261.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1011 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 10th - 12th January 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).
Find more about Scotland’s Winter Festivals here.