Dancers celebrate 100 years
More than 150 dancers gathered in Oban to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Members from the society’s Lochaber, Oban and Lorn, Mid Argyll, South Argyll, Islay, and Helensburgh and District branches were joined on the dance floor by others from all over Scotland, England, Tasmania and USA at the Corran Halls on Saturday September 9 to mark the occasion.
Guests enjoyed a wine reception hosted by Provost Maurice Corry on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council.
Marian Anderson’s band was welcomed back to accompany an evening of old favourite dances and some more recently devised, said RSCDS Oban and Lorn branch honorary secretary Sue Porter.
RSCDS chairman William Williamson and his wife Linda were also at the celebration.
Mr Williamson has been visiting centenary celebrations worldwide.
He was especially pleased to be in Oban as Lochgilphead’s Ysobel Stewart (nee Campbell) was one of the society’s founders.
She was born in Inverneill House near Lochgilphead and married Major Ian Stewart of Appin and Fasnacloich.
The party continues with the RSCDS Dance Around the World Day tomorrow (Saturday September 30) with the Mid Argyll Branch holding a family ceilidh in the afternoon and an informal dance in the evening, featuring a dance from each decade of the RSCDS.
Martainn Skene will be playing for both events – reason alone to go along.
As the next century begins, RSCDS branches are inviting new members to come and join their classes for fun, fitness and friendship.
If you’ve never tried it, you’ll find it’s a very sociable and great fun way to keep physically and mentally fit to some
Organising committee of the RSCDS Centenary Dance in Oban were Kim Ritchie (Mid Argyll), Pauline Revill (South Argyll), Alison Clark (Mid Argyll), Helen Bain (Helensburgh and District), Sue Porter (Oban and Lorn), Elaine Cameron (Lochaber), Irene Smith (Helensburgh and District) and Joan Robertson (Oban and Lorn).
great tunes!
The Mid Argyll branch dances every Monday evening in the North Hall in Ardrishaig.
Beginners’ classes are from 6.30-7.30pm and the general class follows on from 7.30-9.30pm.
“No special equipment is needed, just some comfy
shoes. You don’t need to bring a partner either, as there will always be someone wanting to dance with you.
“We would love to welcome you to join the dance,” said a spokesperson for the branch.
For more information, please phone Kim on 01546 830268.