Celebrate Burns Night on the wild side
Posted 20 Jan 2025 in Edinburgh Zoo
Ode to a Haggis
This Burns Night, we're raising a dram (and a bucket of water) to Haggis, our adorable pygmy hippo. Grab your tartan and your favourite Burns poems and celebrate Scotland's traditions with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)!
In honour of the Bard's way with words, our new take on the Address to a Haggis is a toast to both Scottish tradition and one of our most beloved zoo residents. Enjoy Robert Burns' Ode to our Haggis.
Scotland's newest wee legend
In Scottish folklore, the haggis is a mythical creature that roams the Highlands. It has two legs shorter on one side, allowing it to run around the steep hills.
Allegedly, there are two types of haggis — one with shorter right legs and one with shorter left legs. They can only run in circles and live on opposite sides of the mountains to avoid competition.
While we can't promise you'll spot a haggis in the wild, our Haggis is just as special! You can find her exploring and playing in the water at Edinburgh Zoo with mum, Gloria, by her side and dad, Otto, close by.
Visit Haggis
A hippo for your home
Take home your own wee Haggis with our eco hippo soft toy!
Made from 100% recyclable materials, she's not only cute but good for the environment. Add a touch of zoo to your Burns Night celebrations and shop our hippo products today.
Adopt a Haggis
If you're looking for a unique way to celebrate Burns Night, why not adopt your own Haggis?
Your adoption helps us care for our hippos as well as supports conservation, education and research projects in Scotland and around the world.
From Loch Ness to the Jurassic
The legend of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster is one of Scotland's most famous myths. Nessie is said to live in Loch Ness near Inverness in the Highlands and is often said to resemble a plesiosaur, a long-necked dinosaur.
The earliest reference to Nessie dates back to 565 AD and sightings are still happening today, although modern technology (such as underwater cameras and sonar scans) have failed to produce any definitive evidence of Nessie.
While the existence of Nessie remains unknown, you can adopt one of her ancient cousins with our dinosaur adoptions! From T-rex to Triceratops, your prehistorical pal awaits.
Adopt a dino
Celebrate Scottish wildlife
Willow the wildcat
Join Willow, a fierce wee wildcat, as her and her family search for a new home in a Scottish forest.
With beautiful illustrations of Scottish landscapes and native Scotish animals, treat yourself to this enchanting story.
Purr-fectly wild
Take home a feline friend with our RZSS exclusive wildcat kitten toy.
Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, this wildcat was make for the Saving Wildcats project and supports our education project in Nepal.
Highland hugs
This cuddly Highland cow soft toy is the real 'mane' event!
Featuring its signature shaggy coat and horns, bring the Highlands into your home with Scotland's most iconic animal.
Goats milk soap
Treat yourself to our eco-friendly goats milk soap this Burns Night.
Our gift box includes nine varieties of essential oil soap bars, giving you a real treat for your skin and the perfect excuse to pamper yourself!
Whether you're chasing a wild haggis around the Highlands or visiting our hippos at the zoo, we wish you a Burns Night full of laughter, legends and love for Scottish traditions. Slàinte Mhath!
