2009
Here is an overview of the Society's events that took place in 2009. Links to photos from some of these events can be found on the menu to the left.
• Scottish Dance Workshop
Saturday 14th - Sunday 15th November
Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society instructor Peggy Rose travelled here from her native Dunoon in Argyll to smile her way in to our hearts and to encourage the 14 members and friends who attended this two day workshop to step lightly. We needed to, both to keep up with the pace of the Scottish dances and to prevent us from stepping on each other's toes!
A fantastic time was had by all and some members are keen to start up regular Scottish Dancing practise sessions. Watch for upcoming information about that!
• Autumn Ceilidh
Saturday 24th October, Terminus Hall, Grand Hotel Terminus
A highlight of the Bergen Scottish Society's event lineup, this evening of traditional Scottish music and dancing with Edinburgh ceilidh band Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut was fun, fun, fun. The Haircut’s, led by Gary West – presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s Pipeline programme, were here on their followup tour from the Society’s Autumn Ceilidh in 2007.
Bergen Pipeband was on hand as well, providing the sound that reminds us all of Scotland.
• Evening Lecture
Wednesday 16th September
NHH Professor Bjørn Basberg held a very interesting talk entitled “South Georgia – a Scottish Norwegian meeting place for over a hundred years”. The economic history of the whaling industry was presented alongside breathtaking photographs of the area. We were lucky to also have a former whaler in the audience who shared memories of his days on a whaling ship touring the same Antarctic region.
• Summer barbeque
Saturday June 13th, - Fjell festning, Fjell
About 30 members and friends met up for a guided tour of Fjell festning, the wartime German fortress in Fjell kommune, west of Bergen. After exploring the dark recesses of the fortress, and the fortifications provided a welcome wind break to enjoy a barbeque in the sunshine that the islands west of Bergen are renowned for.
• 17th of May Parade
Sunday 17th May
The Society and Bergen Pipeband once again took part in the Constitution Day parade in Bergen, with the pipe band leading the way. Over 30 members of the Society took party this year, including the 11 strong pipe band. The fantastic weather made for a perfect 17th of May in Bergen.
• Spring Ceilidh
Saturday 25th April, 2009 - Katedralskolen
The atmosphere at this year's Spring Ceilidh was fantastic.
After a warm up from Bergen Pipeband, three-piece ceilidh band Crowded Croft from Helensburgh in Argyll kept the tempo going all night.
Appropriately enough two members of the band are school teachers, so they felt at home playing in the gym at Katedralskolen. This was Crowded Croft's first international gig, and they did not disappoint. There were few people that got the chance to sit down during the evening, and that goes for the many new faces as well as the familiar ones.
We're already looking forward to the both the Autumn Ceilidh, and the next opportunity to invite Crowded Croft back over.
• Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 18th March - Kalfarveien
The fourth annual general meeting of the Society provided a review of activities in 2008, along with plans for future activities. An election was held for committee posts, and members enjoyed coffee and cakes afterwards.
• Whisky Tasting
Friday 27th February, 2009 - Nøsteboden
Chris Maile, organiser of the Oslo Malt Whisky Festival was once again back to guide us through some of the mysteries of malt whisky. This year's tasting was entitled 'The World's Favourite Whisky - a tasting of four expressions of Glenfiddich Single Malt Whisky'. Members and friends got the opportunity to sample several very different Glenfiddich malts, and as usual many stayed for an impromptu social gathering afterwards.
• Burn's Supper
Saturday 24th January, 2009 - Kjøttbasaren
This year was the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. The Society's annual event to commemorate the life and work of the Rabbie Burns was held once again in the function rooms at Kjøttbasaren.
Bergen Pipeband was on hand to greet the guests and, once everyone was seated, the Chieftain haggis was piped in to the top table.
Award winning Portobello butcher Joe Findlay, flew in a few days previously to make a few hundred kilos of haggis at Solheim Kjøtt.
A meal of Findlay's Solheim haggis, neeps and tatties was served, followed by Cranachan. In addition to the traditional poem recitals, speeches and toasts, the Society was fortunate enough to welcome Ian Grant from Garelochhead who delivered a rousing rendition of Tam O'Shanter.
Music and song was provided by Grendakoret and young guitarist Thomas Valeur. The evening was rounded off with a few Scottish country dances and Auld Lang Syne.