First up was the "Big" Burns' Supper, an annual charity event, held at the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal for the past few years. The event in 2009 took place on January 24, and the city's glitterati turned out in droves of tuxedo-and-kilt-clad men and begowned women (at 25,000 HUF per plate) to honor Robert Burns and his works.

And, naturally, to have some haggis and drink a little scotch. The food is always wonderful at this posh five-star hotel and the formal dinner is preceded by pipers and Burns' own Address to a Haggis. Proceeds from this event go to various children's health care centers and hospitals throughout Hungary.

Next, Patrick and Zsuzsa at the Caledonia Pub always insist on a truly traditional celebration by holding their gathering on Burns' actual birthdate, January 25. So, last Sunday, the Caledonia Pub, on Mozsar utca behind Jokai ter, sponsored a Burns' Brunch (3,900 HUF per person), consisting of Scottish Onion soup, haggis, neeps and tatties (all served in a Drambuie sauce), Glen Moray Chocolate Truffle Torte (scrumptious and almost too rich to finish!), and "a large glass of whisky for the toasts."

The atmosphere was more publike than that of the Big Burns' Supper, as the whisky flowed freely and the kilts twirled in a manly fashion. The pipers piped and the Toasters were pretty well toasted by the end of the festivities. Thanks, Patrick and Zsuzsa. Up the Rebels! Och, aye!

The third event, always held on the Tuesday following Burns' birthday, is the "Wee" Burns' Supper. This one, at 4,000 HUF per plate this year, is for folks who don't want to buy or rent (or otherwise don't have handy) a tuxedo or ball gown, and is held at St. Columba's Scottish mission on Vörösmarty utca.

Actually, other than a somewhat less grandly baroque setting than the Corinthia's main ballroom, the food, pipers and whisky are pretty much the same. It feels more like a Scottish ceilidh than a formal dinner. In addition, attendees also get to practice their Scottish reel dancing. A good time is invariably had by all.

If you didn't know about any or all of these functions, you've been missing out on one of the highlight weeks of the winter social season. Next year check XpatLoop.com and make a point of choosing one of the above, or more, then grab your tartan and start practicing your highland fling. For now you can check out photos from the 'Big Burns' event by clicking here.

By Gary Lukatch for XpatLoop.com

Photo courtesy of Tamás Rajna