By Tom Nisbet and Dale Finlayson, 18 February 2012

About fifty members and friends from the Edinburgh Chinese Association of Professionals (ECAP) and the SCA enjoyed a traditional Scottish ceilidh, Chinese style, on 4 February at the North Merchiston Club in Polwarth, Edinburgh. The hall was festooned with lanterns, to mark the Lantern Festival ending the Chinese festival fortnight, and the decorations set the scene for a memorable night.

Andy Cook was the MC/caller/bullyboy, and David Sturgeon, on accordion, provided the music. Soft drinks and nibbles were spread on the tables, but the main interest was socialising and dancing.




The ceilidh was organised by ECAP, some of whose members have been learning Scottish country dancing from a small team of SCA members and friends. The efforts on both sides were evidenced by the skills evinced by so many happy feet skipping about the floor – and by the ECAP demonstration team who performed Lady Catherine Bruce’s Reel and Lamb Skinnet to loud applause. You can see some of the dancing on Youtube here.


The energy expended during the Dashing White Sergeant, the St Bernard’s Waltz, the Circassian Circle and other ceilidh dances – not least the newly choreographed Dragon's Dance would have powered a small town. All told, the jiggin and birlin was "fast and furious" and, apart from the odd mistake, perfect !



If a warm, welcoming atmosphere, kids in lovely dresses, ear-threatening decibels, gales of laughter, and demands for more, again, soon, are anything to go by, the event was a huge success and will certainly be repeated – but only after everyone has fully recovered from a hectic and fun-filled evening.

The photographs were taken by Li Xiaoyang, Rose Zhou, and Dane Murdoch.