You may follow the traditional format or make up your own - it's entirely up to you...as long as Macsween haggis is involved, of course. The formal version of a Burns Supper is well worth experiencing, whether you are a haggis virgin or experienced lover of the iconic dish.

If you are to organise or attend a formal Burns Supper, the following are the main attractions:

Enter the Haggis!

The host welcomes all guests with an Opening Address and the 'Selkirk Grace'.

The chef follows the piper to the top table carrying the haggis, after which the host or a guest recites 'To a Haggis'. This is best done with great theatre, especially the blood-curdling line, "An cut you up wi' ready slight", when the haggis is stabbed with a sharp knife. At the end of the recitation, everyone gets to their feet and toasts the haggis. Slainte Mhath!

Next, the main event - the haggis is served.  Once the meal is finished, the celebration gets fully underway.

The Immortal Memory is a short, lively and irreverent speech about Burns. There is no fixed format for this - you have to write your own! But don't panic - it's just like a best man's speech that tells of Burns' character and achievements in an affectionate and entertaining way. It ends, not surprisingly, with more toasting and more consumption of whisky.

Lads and Lassies

The laddishness continues with an address to the female guests, which is sometimes a little bit cheeky but always respectful. Yet another toast: 'Tae the Lassies!'

The 'Reply Fae the Lassies" is the ladies' chance to get their own back and burst the gentlemen's testosterone-fuelled balloon with their own witty and irreverent response.

The rest of the evening consists of music and more poems, and there is often Scottish country dancing. The evening always ends with everyone joining hands to sing 'Auld Lang Syne'.