2010
Here is an overview of the Society's events that took place in 2010. Links to photos from some of these events can be found on the menu to the left.
• Curling
Friday 19th November - Iskanten
Those of us who played that evening had a rockin' good time. We demonstrated our own strength by pushing the stone right through the end but we also all had moments of joy when the stone actually did as it was supposed to! In one case, the last stone turned the score from 1 to 2, in favour of the opposing team!
Definitely a fun, inexpensive evening out, we will be organizing this again in the new year. Be sure to join us!
• Fifth anniversary Autumn Ceilidh
Saturday 23th October - Grand Terminus Hotel
The Society officially marked its fifth anniversary at our annual Autumn Ceilidh. All those in attendance enjoyed the sounds and expert guidance and dance instruction of the Helensburgh ceilidh band Crowded Croft, as well as the lyrical blend of the After Dark quartet and the drones and rhythms of Bergen Pipes and Drums.
It was fantastic to see so many on the dance floor, twirling their kilts and kicking up their heels! Check out the photos via the menu to the left.
• Amatørkulturdagen
Saturday 11th September - Greighallen
The Society had a stand and gave displays of Scottish Country dancing at Bergen's (and Norway's) first fair dedicated to amateur cultural organisations, organised by Amatørkulturrådet.
Vistors to our stand were treated to oat cakes, mature cheddar, shortbread and Irn Bru along with an impromptu dancing demonstration, used to warm up for the performance on the main stage at Greighallen.
One of these warm up sessions was caught on camera by NRK and included in a feature on Amatørkulturdagen on the NRK 1 programme Norge Rundt on Friday 24th September. You can see the clip here.
Bergen Pipes & Drums were on hand as well and played sets on both the outside stage and on the main stage.
• Guided historical walk
Wednesday 8th September - Kong Oscars gate
The theme for this year's byvandring was Kong Oscarsgate and Karlfaret: Centre for the poor and sick in Bergen in the years 1600–1900
The theme for this year's byvandring was Kong Oscarsgate and Karlfaret: Centre for the poor and sick in Bergen in the years 1600–1900
We were fortunate with the weather; it was a beautiful autumn evening for the walk. Historian Chris Harris shared his wealth of information during the evening, starting with a tour of the former leprosy hospital at Kalfarveien 31, then moving on towards town, ending at Domkirken. Afterwards several members retired to Dyveke's on Hollendergate for refreshments.
• 17th of May Parade
Monday 17th May, Bergen
The Society and Bergen Pipes & Drums took part for the fifth time in the Constitution Day parade in Bergen. Due to some confusion about which column the Society should be in, we got off to a bit of a late start and ended up being filtered in to the sports clubs column, a little ahead of Brann.
• Spring Ceilidh
Saturday 17th April, Katedralskolen, Kong Oscars gate
Despite the best attempts of an Icelandic volcano to spoil the night, and some last minute changes of music for the evening, the Spring ceilidh went ahead pretty much as planned.
The Nicky McMichan Ceilidh Band was grounded in Scotland because of the volcanic ash cloud, but committee members Pat and James led the dancing with the help of an MP3 players and the music of three ceilidh bands that have played at Society ceilidh's before: Crowded Croft, Ian Hutson's Scottish Dance band and The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience.
Bergen Pipes & Drums were on hand to play a few sets of tunes from their new repertoire, helping to build up the atmosphere and adding their distinctive flavour to the evening.
Ticket prices were dropped for the evening to reflect the change from ceilidh band to MP3 player, and a solid turn out ensured a fun night was had by all. Nicky McMichan and the boys will hopefully be joining us for a ceilidh in 2011 instead, volcanos permitting.
• Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 24th March, 19:00 - Kalfarveien 31, 5018 Bergen
The annual general meeting of the Society. The Chair Person, James Hosea, presented a review of 2009 along with plans for future activities. An election was held for committee position whose terms had come to an end and a new elections committee was chosen for the 2010 AGM. Members relaxed afterwards with coffee and cakes a good blether.
• Whisky vs. Cognac: Have a Taste and your Say
Friday 26th February - Femte i Andre, Strand Hotel, Bergen
The last few years the Society has arranged a whisky tasting in February for members and friends. This year we decided to do something a little different. Together with cognac expert Hans Bru of Bergen cognac and whisky bar Femte i Andre and >Chris Maile, organiser of the Oslo Malt Whisky Festival, we arranged an evening of tasting, debate and discussion where both whisky and cognac both had the opportunity to persuade members and friends of their ultimate superiority. A clash of the Titans!
• Burns' Supper
Saturday 23rd January - Fløien Folkerestuarant, Bergen
This year the Society braved the snow drifts on Mount Fløien to try a new venue for the Burns' Supper - Fløien Folkerestuarant. About a hundred guests joined us for a wonderful evening in a great venue.
Award winning haggis maker Joe Findlay flew in again from Edinburgh to make haggis for the Burns' Supper at Solheim Kjøtt. This year the successful partnership lead to over 300 kg of haggis being produced for the Society and to feed the growing hunger for haggis in Norway.
Bergen Pipes & Drums were on hand to provide a warm welcome for guests, beside a roaring log fire, as they arrived at Fløyen.
Pipe Major Thomas De Ridder piped in the haggis, proudly borne on silver tray by Joe Findlay, and Steven Ramage recited the Address to the Haggis. after the haggis had been consumed, Grendakoret once again entertained us with a selection of Burns songs.
Svein Amundsen delivered a knowledgeable and well-researched Immortal Memory, blending Scots, Nynorsk and Danish to link the literary traditions of scotland and Norway. Calum McCann gave the Toast to the Lassies, and Sandra Magnussen replied on behalf of the lassies. Both kept a steady laughter going through the hall.
Bergen Pipes & Drums played a few sets for everyone while the tables were cleared for dancing, and then the evening was rounded off with ceilidh dancing before the trek back through the snow to take the Fløibanen back to the city centre. Thomas entertained the passengers in the last train by playing a few jigs before everyone dispersed after another successful Burns' Supper.