Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Ceilidh

A Ceilidh, pronounced cay-lee, is a traditional Scottish social event that features folk music and dancing. The University of St Andrews hold several ceilidhs every semester. The dancing is kind of like line dancing or square dancing, with numerous dances of varying speed. This particular ceilidh was part of Refreshers week, the week in the Candlemas Semester (semester two) that welcomes students back to school. All of the students studying abroad were encouraged to come and we were joined by a number of Scottish students who have been around a few ceilidhs. The band taught each dance, and we study abroad students butchered them until a helpful group of lads in kilts stepped in to redirect our efforts. As this ceilidh was held on Robert Burns Day, it ended with a jovial singing of Auld Lang Syne. We all held hands in a circle and stumbled over the lyrics until the music kicked up and we ran towards the center and back again. 

Here's a little taste of the Ceilidh:

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