Dundee Branch’s First Foot Ball 2026

The practice of 'first-footing' is common across Scotland as part of Hogmanay celebrations, good luck being brought by the first person stepping over the threshold at midnight.  Dundee Branch celebrates this with an annual ball in early January at the Invercarse Hotel in Dundee, a hot meal being followed by dancing in the hotel ballroom, and concluding with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.  This year's First Foot Ball was held on 10th January, being the Branch's last event of our 'Centenary Year of Celebrations', with 99 dancers coming from Aberdeen to Hamilton, and Kirkcaldy to Blairgowrie, some having dug their way out of the snow from the preceding week in order to make it.  Attendees were welcomed by the new Branch Chair Janet Abel, with the dance programme being devised and recapped by Fiona Mackie.  Dances ranged from Granville Market and Asilomar Romantic, to City Lights, Elspeth Gray's Reel and the Orchards of Co Armagh, all danced to the music of Luke Brady's Scottish Dance Band (Luke Brady - First Accordion, David Oswald - Second Accordion, and Stuart Oswald - Drums). A great evening was had by all, with thanks to Mary Cant for co-ordinating.