Very lazy start to the day, eventually got out of bed at 1230... Coffee/breakfast and listened to 6Music for a bit. Did about an hours violin, not as good today. Think I need a proper chin rest, it's getting a bit annoying as violin moves around when I'm changing hand position. Also my bowing is just terrible, fingers are fine but the bowing is so different and I'm finding it really hard to get a decent sound out. Probably holding it wrong too!
The main event of the day was the ceilidh in the evening, which initially I hadn't planned on going to. I sought some advice from my sister and she persuaded me to go, bona fide scottish ceilidh, might not get another chance! I was picturing a grand hall, with big ceilidh band and a caller, and I'd heard food mentioned...
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| Bagpipes are pretty loud when you stand this close |
All of us students went in the end, I got a lift with Tom along with Brett and Helen. After following Eleanor down a few wrong turns we eventually found the ceilidh. Following the dulcit sounds of the bag pipe helped (cue cringe English photo next to a bagpiper, thanks Pippa!). Held in a community hall, as soon as we walked in realisation dawned that we may have misjudged it slightly. Brett made the apt comment that we may actually have been bringing the average age up, a clue being the selling of small bags of sweets on the reception desk. After navigating through a sea of children we settled at a table, complete with fake candle (no fire risk for the children) and spill proof paper lining.
Once the evening got going however it was actually pretty good fun. The ceilidh band were local kids, one accordian player and two violins. They did pretty well, could have used some drums (which did arrive later on). A few dances down, we then got stuck into the finger buffet food. I felt like I'd regressed to a primary school disco! Paper plates included. Also the ceilidh band didn't have a caller, but in true scottish style 'nay bother' - turns out all the scots in our group learnt celidh dances in PE!!! Unbelievable. So they were teaching me the steps the whole way through. Good life skills really, would have been more fun than the bleep test.
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| What country am I in again? Oh yes, the 10m wide flag on the wall... |
Following food we had an insight into the public health problems facing Scotland. The first of the so-called 'games' involved gambling kids competing against each other to win a bottle of Ben Nevis whiskey in a game of pound coin curling - they all stand about 10m away and roll a pound coin towards the bottle of whiskey, the closest coin winning the bottle. Silver lining = all procedes to mountain rescue!
After the nuturing of future gambling/alcohol addictions we were then treated to an acapella performance of two traditional songs in Gaelic. Although being pretty random and initially slightly awkward, everyone listened attentively and massive kudos to the woman singing on her own, I wouldn't do it! The whole evening felt like I was watching the efforts of the locals people to preserve their heritage and culture - men in kilts, singing in gaelic, youngsters playing in the band. Was nice though, and I was glad I'd come along in the end.
After an exodus of the youngsters (well past bed time) the second half was a bit more racous with faster tunes, faster dancing and the arrival of the hospital consultants. They've obviously got the right idea - avoid the kids/picnic food at the start and just rock up for the drunken dancing and merriment! More dancing (boston two step, stripping the willow, the orkadian and one to do with a homosexual/happy man named Gordon) before we finished off in true Scottish style with a rendition of Loch Lomond.
Got a lift back with Tom again - drove past the consultants walking home and gave them a quick beep on the horn. Quite amusing! Listened to some phat tunes on the drive back, one being Jessie J's new track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjh_y25vCMk - crap verse, great chorus! Hit the hay at 0030, fun evening!
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