Get ready for the Chieftain's Ball

Scottish Society to throw fund-raising event with food and drink.

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Scottish Society to throw fund-raising event with food and drink

The tartans of the clans will be worn proudly on the weekend as expatriates from Scotland (and non-Scots who are interested in all matters Scottish) gather in Abu Dhabi for the Scottish Society's annual Chieftain's Ball

The Scottish Society has regular events throughout the year including a Burns's Night supper, complete with haggis and traditional speeches, a St Andrew's Night Ball and the Chieftain's Ball.

The chieftain or president of the Scottish Society, Isabel Macmillan, says, "The Chieftain's Ball is the Scottish Society's fund-raising opportunity, where we aim to raise funds for charities both in the UK and the UAE. This year the UK charity is Action Medical Research."
The ball takes place at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday starting with a reception at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost Dh260 for members and Dh290 for non-members and includes a four-course meal and Scottish-themed entertainment.

Scotland special

Dinner celebrates food and drink from Scotland with items such as salmon, Scotch broth, Orkney Island beef and oatcakes with cheeses from the Scottish Highlands, Lowlands and islands.

For entertainment there is an Abu Dhabi-based bagpiper and a band flown in specially for the event.

Says the chieftain, "The Thistle Dubh Ceilidh band is coming from Glasgow once again to play for us. They were a big success at the St Andrew's Society Ball in December."

Thistle Dubh Ceilidh (pronounced "thissel doo kaylee" and meaning "black thistle") comprises Andrew on drums, Emma on fiddle and Alistair on the accordion.

All professionally-trained musicians, they will provide energetic, foot-tapping Gaelic music for the evening's traditional Scottish dances.

"Traditionally, ceilidhs also included singing, recitations and things such as playing the spoons," says Macmillan.

"But now they are mainly dances; modern and much brighter. They are popular especially in cities such as Edinburgh. Other balls may play disco-type music, but this is the only chance you will get to do proper Scottish dances here."

For those who have never done Scottish country dancing, the band also "call", that is, run through the steps until the dancers know what to do.

There is also a lot of laughter as people try out the steps.

"It's not serious nor too difficult, even if you have never done it before. It's very swinging, modern music, but with strict time for the dancing. It's fun," says Macmillan.

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