PRESS RELEASE 1st Jan 2026

Scotland’s biggest producer of haggis, Simon Howie, is giving Burns night a hairy twist this January, with a brand-new charity campaign celebrating one of Rabbie Burns most iconic features – his sideburns. Sideburns Night is a whisker focussed campaign putting a fresh twist on the January Burns Night traditions while raising money for an important cause.

Over the month of January, Simon Howie is challenging the people of the UK to grow a set of sideburns in time for Burns Night on 25 January and support SAMH, Scotland’s leading mental health charity.

Simon Howie sells upwards of 1 million haggis every January making it its busiest month of the year. However, out with Burns Night celebrations, January is known for being a month where, after the high of the festive holidays, people can be left feeling a bit blue. Simon Howie wanted to do something to shine a light on the importance of mental health and came up with Sideburns Night as a way of starting conversation and connection and to raise funds for SAMH who do vital work to support mental health in Scotland all year round.

Participants are encouraged to donate £5 to SAMH and share the link or QR code with friends for further donations or encourage them to also take part. They can also take it further by creating their own JustGiving page to collect donations from friends, family, and colleagues, boosting their support for the cause.

Simon Howie, owner of Simon Howie Foods said: “Burns Night is one of our favourite times of the year, but January isn’t like that for everyone. We hope people see the fun in Sideburns Night and that it can potentially grow into a successful annual fundraiser for SAMH. Whatever happens we hope that it brings a little bit of laughter and raises money for a good cause.”

Hazel Mcllwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeal at SAMH, said: “Sideburns Night is a fun and light-hearted way of getting across a very serious message. Mental health problems can impact us all year round, however, some of us may face a slump as we return to our routines after a period of celebration. We’re encouraging everyone to grow (or stick on!) your sideburns and kickstart 2026 with this fun challenge for Scotland’s mental health.”

To get involved in Simon Howie’s Side Burns Night all you have to do is cultivate a pair of sideburns throughout January, share your pics and spread the word and get sponsored through JustGiving/SideBurnsNight. And don’t worry if nature won’t allow you to grow those perfect sideburns just stick on a fake pair and join in the fun. Then on the 25 January enjoy a Burns Night supper with a full set of glorious chops knowing you’ve done something fun for a seriously good cause.

Grow. Show. Make a Difference.

Donate £5 to SAMH

Set up a fundraising page of your own.

#SideBurnsNight

-Ends-

Issued on behalf for Simon Howie by Frame
Alison Downs – alison.downs@frame.agency, 07917678061.
Abbie McDowall – abbie.mcdowall@frame.agency, 07709686469

 

Read more on our Side Burns Landing Page.