2 minute read
Winter School
Winter School at the Atholl Palace in Pitlochry was another great success. The teachers were William Williamson, who was also the School Co-ordinator, Angela Young, Janet Johnston, and Andrew Nolan. The musician line-up was another classic: Rodger McAndrew, Shona MacFadyen, Ian Robertson and David Oswald. This year 124 dancers attended – 32 were there for the first time. Lorna Thomson, herself a first-timer, writes about her week.
The view of a first-timer
Finally this year I was persuaded that I should go to Winter School. Having now experienced five wonderful days there, I would urge anyone with any doubts to do the same. The event began with the Winter School Director, William Williamson, welcoming us all at a reception in the Bow Lounge of the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry. First timers were given a gold star on their name badges. One hoped to earn it by the end of the week!
Various classes were on offer, taught by professional, highly talented RSCDS teachers. They are caring, understanding and made us aware of how and what to improve. The classes had the expertise of a different teacher each day and they were all geared to suit our needs. I listened to dancers of all standards and the pace of each class was set to suit the grade and indeed to expect the highest standard possible from everyone, albeit there were a few tired legs after the first day’s session!
Live music was everywhere and the level of playing was extremely high. The musicians added that little bit extra with anecdotes and details about the tunes, which are always interesting to hear. The dance programmes for each evening were issued in advance of the event so no chance of saying ‘I don’t know this one!’ Impromptu, hilarious ceilidhs often followed the evening’s dancing.
Wednesday night was official Ceilidh night – teachers, musicians, and dancers tackling other musical genres with fun, comedy, and much laughter. The side-splitting perfectly-executed act by The Village Maids and The Sailors was, of course, the showstopper.
A variety of activities was offered in the afternoons with companies setting up their stalls, a talk from the John Muir Trust, one from the Society Archivist, and a visit to the Crannog in Loch Tay. F
inally the Jewel in the Crown – The Winter School Ball, a wonderful event, on Thursday evening in the Great Hall of Blair Castle, seat of the Dukes of Atholl. The Great Hall has a powerful air of history and no one could fail to feel the atmosphere. The dress code was full highland dress for the gentlemen and posh frocks for the ladies. The Grand March was a glittering sight to behold.
Our brilliant Winter School musicians provided the band, William was the compère and the recapping was shared by the teachers with a good measure of hilarity all round! The dancers received praise from the Director and all our efforts became worthwhile! To sum up the five days for me, the main components were friendships from Buenos Aires, Buffalo, San Francisco and elsewhere to Bonnie Scotland, informative teaching and music to stir your soul in a holiday atmosphere in a first class hotel.
