The St Andrews Black Tie Reeling Ball was a steamy night of Scottish culture

Dripping with sweat, the night was danced away


In what is a genuinely Scottish event, unlike the overwhelming majority of events in St Andrews – ‘Bongo’ nor Oktoberfest serve haggis, that’s for sure – the Caledonian Society of St Andrews hosts two balls a year – the White and the Black Tie Reeling Ball.

This year there was a switcheroo, with the Black Tie being held in November rather than second semester.

Choice of venue was one of pragmatism. Formerly a superb economical choice, the Scores Hotel has hosted Wine and Cheese, the Scandinavian Crayfish Dinner, and the like.

Not a beauty as hotels go, with its 70s carpets and gloomy lights, it still could put up with a cracking party. A change of management unfortunately soiled their reputation for the latter, as one would soon find out.

A good crowd of colourfully-clad tartans assembled in the mist, serenaded into the hotel by the shrill drone of the bagpipe. A remarkably refreshing troop, many good universities were represented – Durham, Oxford, Edinburgh, etc., alongside some other classics – Brookes, Cirencesters… all pilgrims to reeling balls around the country.

Some particularly wise bits of administrative policy went on by hotel staff. A constant feature was the infernal heat. Naturally dancing, particularly in rather formal attire, is a sweaty affair – ‘Sweaty Betty’, my alter ego, was on top form – I was dripping with sweat, though I was pleased to see that I wasn’t alone on that front.

Because the doors could not be opened, the air conditioning was cranked on despite the fact that the heating was on full blast (intentionally) – clearly, management had an in-depth understanding of basic thermodynamics. They were extraordinarily friendly on entry, as well – pushing us in, and croaking at us to move to the next room – such sinew was used that I didn’t even have the chance to reach for the complimentary glass of bubbly.

When it came down to it, the dancing was intense, to put it mildly – jolly and vigorous. Overheard on the loo, a key conduit for gossip and commentary, were comments on how well-drilled the St Andrews crowd were in their reeling steps, more so than in most universities.

Columns of reelers twirled, wrapped themselves around, and spun their partners, and while it may have seemed like a chaotic mess, there was a certain fabric of order, unbeknownst to the uninitiated observer.

This fabric of order did tremble as the night progressed and the dehydration from sweating combined with the drinks to make for some very drunk, placid girls and rowdy ‘lads’. As the night came to an end, and having danced nine reels over around five hours, the exhausted congregation came together, and locking arms, sang a boisterous ‘God save the Queen’, followed by a huge morale booster – the promised bacon butties – which were devoured in an orgy of ketchup and brown sauce.

A Scottish delight, unique amongst events in St Andrews in being less boozy, more cultural, and made up of large numbers of non-St Andreans, the Black Tie Reeling Ball gets a shiny gold star sticker once again, even from this hesitant reeler.

It truly stands to the credit of the organising committee that despite the limitations of the Scores Hotel, brashness and incompetence of staff, the event still was such a rager. And perhaps the heat was good after all – a free sauna experience included, sweating out all those toxins for a moist and steamy night of raucous Scottish culture!

 

Photos by Millie Lehmann