Ceilidhs (Scottish Dancing)

Good fun but a grumpy and at times patronising caller.

The venue was lovely, dancers were enthusiastic, musicians were talented... the caller was one of the most unpleasant and angry little men I've ever encountered. He would verbally bully people who didn't understand him over a speaker system, physically manipulate people who were standing looking confused, and generally acted like we were simply there as an inconvenience. Throughout the evening, he:

- told two women they couldn't be first couple
- decided that Canadians were loud and obnoxious based off a group of pre-adults
- verbally abused me after I told him I wanted to dance with my friends
- continually "shhhhed" us all like infants
- told us that "it's our time we're wasting"
- dismissed a show that he'd invited to speak based on the fact he didn't fancy the sound of it.

Keep the musicians, the venue, and keep getting nice people along. Lose the caller at all costs.

I am non binary and, after a couple of dances on the ‘female’ side of the routines, wanted to spend a dance on the ‘male’ side with my male partner. Seeing us, the caller came over and made my partner and I switch, physically making him swap sides with me in front of the entire room, before the dance could start. I was incredibly embarrassed and upset, so we left. Hopefully this hasn’t happened to anyone else, and doesn’t happen again. We were having a lovely time with the rest of the dancers, but that ruined the evening for the both of us.

Great fun in a stunning setting (and don't miss the impressive library where the bar is located). If the prospect of dancing with someone you don't know makes you break out in a cold sweat then it may not be for you, but if you're open to new experiences and don't mind getting sweaty then you'll have a great time. We enjoyed it so much that we went twice during our 4-day stay!

Busy, crowded, chaotic, hot, energetic and fun. If you've never tried it, try it. Most people start off novices and can pick it up as the tunes progress. Slightly surreal venue in the beautifully columned Surgeon's Hall with oils of mutton-chopped stern colonel dignitaries frowning down. Would recommend.