2006

Here is an overview of the Society's second year. Links to photos from some of these events can be found on the menu to the left.

• Autumn Ceilidh
Saturday 28th October, 2006 - Terminus Hall, Grand Hotel Terminus

The third ceilidh that the Society has organised was made an extremely memorable occasion by the presence of the Loretto School Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancers, and the Ian Hutson Scottish Dance Band. The evening began with guests being greeted by 16 pipers and drummers of Loretto School playing outside Terminus Hall. Earlier in the week Loretto School had distinguished themselves with a live performance and interview on Bård Ose’s programme on NRK’s P1 radio station, followed by a rendition of the Bergen anthem Nystemten and a display of Highland Dancing for a live transmission on NRK’s evening new programme Vestlandsrevyen.

After a welcome drink and a chance to mingle, guests were invited to dinner and lead up the steps to Terminus Hall by Pipe Major Colin Pryde of Loretto School. The menu for the evening was Rabbie’s Ragout (a beef stew) followed by the time honoured classic Apple Crumble. Coffee was accompanied by a display of piping and Highland Dancing by the pupils of Loretto School, including a moving rendition of The Gael from the film Last of the Mohicans. The Bergen Scottish Pipeband joined the Loretto School Pipes and Drums to play Nystemten, at which every guest in hall rose to their feet.

Once the tables had been cleared for dancing, the Ian Hutson Scottish Dance band took over and raised the tempo a notch as the dancing got underway. Ian played a variety of dances and provided guidance and instruction so that no-one had an excuse for sitting out! As Ian said, “In Scotland we do everything twice”, so everyone had the chance to hone their dancing skills. The dance floor was packed for every dance, and Ian and the boys didn’t have much trouble encouraging everyone to take part. The evening was brought to a close at about 01:30 with Auld Lang Syne.

Around 150 members and non-members enjoyed a fun-filled evening of Scottish Country Dancing and musical entertainment. The dinner was sold out in advance and extra “dancing only” tickets were made available to additional guests that wanted to come along and join in the dancing. The evening was a tremendous success and was the Society’s largest event to date.



• Spring Ceilidh
Friday 19th May, 2006 - Danckert Krohn

The second ceilidh of the Society set off to a great start with a hearty buffet of Scots and international dishes. Music to-dine-by was provided by Bjørn Andersen on accordion, and Rosemary entertained the ceilidh-goers with a sketch based on a Morningside dentists waiting room. Once again, committee member June Murison provided excellent guidance and tuition with the Scottish Country Dancing. The dance floor was packed, with all ages trying their hand at Gay Gordons, Cumberland Reels, Dashing White Sergeants and the like. Unlike the St. Andrews ceilidh, the dancing started while it was still broad daylight outside. A some what surreal experience for not yet used to the long summer evenings in Bergen. The raffle raised some amusements when it was discovered that the winning ticket for a bottle of 12-year old Glenlivet was held by the Chairman, who also donated the bottle. The Chairman called for a redraw, only to win a second time! A deserving (and independent) winner was found at the third try. The dance floor stayed packed long after darkness eventually fell, and Auld Lang Syne brought the evening to a close long after the bewitching hour.



• Norwegian Constitution Day Parade
Wednesday 17th May, 2006

The Society took part in the 17th of May parade in Bergen for the first time in fittingly dreich weather. Before the parade set off, the Society Chairman and members of the Bergen Scottish Pipeband were interview by NRK, with the pictures being broadcast nationwide as part of the main NRK programme for the 17th of May. The Bergen Scottish tartan was proudly on display and the pipeband proudly displayed its Bergen roots by playing Nystemten, the Bergen anthem. More than 20 members of the Society took part in the parade, and the Bergen Scottish Pipeband entertained the crowds with Nystemten and a selection of traditional Scots airs.


• Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 22nd March, 2006 - Kalfarveien

Click here to see a review of the Bergen Scottish Society in 2005 To view this file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.


• Burns' Supper
Saturday 21st January, 2006 – Åsane Idretts Klubb

Following the haggis-drama of 2005, no chances were taken with delivery of the main dish in 2006. Award winning Scottish haggis breeder Joe Findlay (http://www.findlayofportobello) personally escorted a consignment of the wee beasties to Bergen. His journey by road from Portobello to Aberdeen and onward by air to Bergen was reassuringly uneventful.

The evening opened in the time-honoured fashion with a chieftain haggis being carried on a silver platter to the top table by Joe Findlay, escorted by Bergen Scottish piper Chris Jones playing Burns’ A Man's A Man For A' That. Society member Jimmy Fulton performed the Address to the Haggis, cutting the great chieftain o' the pudding-race up wi' ready sleight and trenching its gushing entrails bright. After the guests had filled and then emptied their groaning trenchers, they were entertained with the Immortal Memory to Robert Burns, a reading of A Man's A Man For A' That, the traditional toast to the lassies and reply from the lassies and a talk on the origins and development of the haggis.

The formal part of the evening closed with Grendakoret singing three Burns songs; Ae Fond Kiss, My Heart’s in the Highlands and Cald Blows the Wind. The floor was then cleared for Scottish Country dancing, and the evening was brought to a close a couple of hours later with everyone coming together to sing Auld Lang Syne. The 2006 Burns Supper was a great success, with over 80 people attending, and it has set a high standard for 2007!

Click here to see Bergen's Tidende Article