MY FIRST CEILIDH

Gordon was playing his mandolin at the Primary School Ceilidh and Jeanette suggested we went along to the village hall to give support and have a dance. Yikes! At last those Scottish dancing lessons I took before leaving Sydney were going to be put to the test. Recalling that the steps were rather complicated and a clear head would be needed to remember the routines, I forsook all alcohol beforehand.

Frantic to know what to wear, Jeanette assured me it would be casual, so I took her at her word - and still managed to be over-dressed. Aside from two eight year olds who were wearing matching blue sequined dresses, everyone else was in jeans and wearing boots. Not a dance pump to be seen!

Gordon was wearing full traditional dress which surprised Jeanette as he had left home in jeans and she had to keep signalling him to pull his kilt down as he sat legs spread-eagled, playing his mandolin. I tried to stop her because I thought at least the mystery might be solved of what is worn beneath the sporran:



The dance was for five to 12 year olds who were mostly dancing with their parents. Safely nursing a very small glass of wine at the back of the village hall, I sat back to watch them perform the Virginia Reel - not one we had learned at Scots on the Rocks. Alas, not for long - Gordon needed another eight set and insisted Jeanette and I join in.

The caller went once through the dance and the the band started up. I was feeling extremely glad I had taken those lessons and was very proud of myself that I didn't take one wrong step or go in the opposite direction to everyone else. In fact, a lot of what we had been taught seemed to be a load of tosh once I was in the midst of real Scottish dancers. Not one 'hop skip' to be seen; and every time I raised my hand to shoulder height Jeanette snatched it and pulled it down. I was beginning to worry that I was looking rather overly professional in a Strictly Come Dancing sort of way. Not a good look to outperform the locals at one's first ceilidh, especially when they are mostly under-12s.

After two sets of the Virginia Reel we were hot and exhausted and staggered back to our table. The children from the school then performed three Scottish songs for the St Andrew's celebrations, including the Skye Boat Song which had a slightly false start until Gordon helped them find the right key, with the aid of his mandolin. The school has about 30 pupils, split into three classes, but the choir comprised only Years 4-7:



Food was then served with, of course, a cup of tea. Oatcakes, cheese and shortbread.

As we were leaving, Gordon was calling for the Gay Gordons at the request of one of the dads, and it seemed to be a favourite. I watched closely as I imagine this is a dance that is regularly performed and it was another one we had not learned at our classes. Jeanette says it is easy, but tonight it was a bit of a schmozzle and looked more like the Ham Hamishes, so I am none the wiser.