Burns Night: Toast to 'the Lassies'

What the toast to the lassies is all about

The toast to the lassies is a traditional part of any Burns Supper, sitting alongside the Address to a Haggis and the Immortal Memory as one of the evening's set pieces. Its origins are somewhat murky, though it likely developed as a way to honour women more broadly, reflecting Burns' own frequent writing about love and relationships. Over time it has taken on a life of its own.

The speech often leans towards humour, with the speaker poking gentle fun at women before a reply from the lassies gives a woman the chance to take aim at the men. That said, the tone varies considerably depending on the event. Some Burns Suppers treat this as a chance for witty banter, while others keep things more sincere. Not every gathering includes the reply, so check with your hosts beforehand to understand the format.

At many suppers, this toast signals a shift in the evening. Earlier speeches tend to focus on Burns himself and his poetry in a more serious register. The toast to the lassies often marks the point where the formal proceedings begin to loosen and the celebration picks up pace.

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Getting the tone right

If humour is expected, the key is making sure it never tips into meanness. You are aiming for warmth and wit rather than anything that might cause genuine offence. The best versions feel like affectionate ribbing between friends who genuinely like each other.

Think carefully about your audience. A Burns Supper at a local community hall calls for a different approach than one at a corporate event or a family gathering. What works in one room may feel uncomfortable in another. If you are speaking at an event outside Scotland, be aware that traditions may be adapted and your audience might include people less familiar with the conventions.

Jokes that rely on tired stereotypes about men and women tend to land poorly with modern audiences. Humour has moved on considerably, and material that might have worked decades ago can now make a room go quiet. If something makes you hesitate while writing it, cut it. There is plenty of room for observational comedy that does not depend on reducing anyone to a cliché.

When a reply from the lassies is planned, the exchange works best when both speakers commit to the same spirit of playfulness. But remember that not every Burns Supper includes this back and forth, so tailor your speech to the actual format of the evening.

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Including Robert Burns in your speech

Audiences will expect at least a nod to Burns himself, since the whole evening is held in his honour. If you know his work well, weaving in references will come naturally. If you are less familiar with the poet, a little research will turn up plenty of usable material.

Burns wrote extensively about women, love and relationships, giving you no shortage of options. Some of his shorter poems and songs work well as brief quotations in a speech. A few lines can satisfy the tradition without requiring you to become a Burns scholar overnight.

Poems such as "Green Grow the Rashes, O" or "A Red, Red Rose" offer lines that can fit different moods, whether you want something playful or something more romantic. The Scottish Poetry Library website holds a good collection of Burns' work if you need a starting point.

Be thoughtful about context when quoting Burns. His work comes from a particular historical moment, and some pieces may not sit comfortably in a contemporary speech without careful framing. Choose quotations that genuinely support the tone you are trying to create rather than forcing in references for the sake of tradition.

You do not need long passages. A short quote, introduced naturally, shows respect for the occasion without turning your speech into a literary lecture.

Writing and delivering your speech

Keep your speech to around five to seven minutes. That gives you enough time to develop your material while holding attention. People want to enjoy themselves and get on with the evening.

Structure matters even when the aim is entertainment. A strong opening line will get the room on your side. A clear thread running through the middle keeps people engaged. A memorable finish, ideally leading into the actual toast, sends everyone off well.

Practice your delivery beforehand. Timing matters enormously, and reading your words aloud will help you spot where laughs should fall. It will also reveal sentences that run too long or rhythms that feel awkward on the tongue.

On the night, speak clearly and resist the urge to rush. Give the audience time to react. If something lands well, let the laughter settle before moving on. You do not need to be a professional comedian. Sincerity and a genuine smile will carry you a long way.

Finally, remember to actually propose the toast at the end. Raise your glass, invite the room to join you, and say the words: "To the lassies." In the moment it can be easy to forget the whole point of why you are standing up there.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Toast Generator lets you need a quick toast for a dinner, celebration, or special moment? Tell us the occasion and get a short, polished toast ready to raise your glass. Try it now →