A dance party for everyone opened the Winter Weekend celebrations on Thursday as Ceilidh band Whiffeldy filled the Festival Tent with music, laughter and moves.
And what better way to begin this festival of ideas at the turn of the season? Historically used to describe any form of social gathering, the word 'Ceilidh' originally indicated a form of literary entertainment. Story telling, poetry and recitations were more common than instrumental music and dancing.
"On long, dark winter nights it is still the custom in small villages for friends to collect in a house and hold what they call a “ceilidh” (pronounced kay’lee). Young and old are entertained by the reciters of old poems and legendary stories which deal with ancient beliefs, the doings of traditional heroes and heroines, and so on. Some sing old and new songs set to old music or new music composed in the manner of the old" - Donald Mackenzie, Wonder tales from Scottish myth and legend (1917).
Today's event was comparatively modern in format. Festival Tent chairs were stacked to one side as the five-piece band called out dance after dance. No country dancing experience was necessary. Being up for a good time was essential.
Time for story telling will come, but on this brisk November night a spot of dancing made for an opening to remember.