Visitors head to Isle of Skye

From Alison Smit, Isle of Skye Branch

Given the Isle of Skye’s status as a tourist hot spot it is not unusual for the Branch to get enquiries dancers from around the world via our website as to whether we would be dancing during their stay in Skye and whether they could join us. Given that our dancing season runs from October to May and our membership is just eleven dancers we more often or not, regrettably, are unable accommodate them.  When we received a request earlier this year from New Haven, Connecticut regarding their visit in September 2024 and they comprised nine dancers and others, we felt we had to rise to the occasion.

Consequently, a swift Branch meeting was called with a view as to what we could do and should we do it.  It was agreed we would and we decided to have live music.  We subsequently contacted Frank Thomson in Aberdeen and he agreed to join us for the dance evening.  We were delighted, given that we had heard his music on several occasions.  With regard to what dances and how many, we thought it appropriate that we would split the choice of dances 50/50 which resulted in a programme of 12 well-known dances.  On consulting with Frank, he was more than delighted with the choices.

The Branch had originally planned for the dance to be held in our local venue, Skeabost Memorial Hall, however, some six weeks before the due date, we learned that it would be unavailable due to roofing works.  Fortunately, Portree High School was available and it was an ideal venue, given that we had a few more dancers from the Skye and Inverness areas. So, we were all set and looking forward to the event.  In the end, there was a total of 24 dancers, including some spectators from their group. In chatting with our visitors prior to the dance, we learned that this was the first time that they had ever danced to live music and it was on their “bucket list” to do Scottish Country Dancing in Scotland.  A great night was had by all our visitors departed with copies of The Skye Collection Book 1 and 2 and accompanying CD and the Branch, in return, received copies of two of their dances books and CDs.