Past Events.

	Whisky Tasting 29 January 2008 - Nøsteboden Chris Maile, one of Norway’s foremost whisky experts and organiser of the Oslo Malt Whisky Festival, gave a presentation on single malt whiskies and the blending of whisky at the Society’s second whisky tasting.  The theme was 'The Origin of Flavour' and a whisky 'map' allowed those taking part, a chance to identify an 'unknown' whisky.
	Burns Supper 26 January 2008 - Kjøttbasaren Joe Findlay was back in town to produce the essential ingredient for the 2008 Burns Supper. This year so many orders had streamed in from as far apart as Trondheim, Stavanger, Oslo and Fredrikstad. Solheim Kjøtt kindly allowed Joe to use their premises for two days to make over 250kg of haggis. Once again this proved popular with the local media and a feature on NRK P1 radio programme Norgesglasset was followed up by articles in the Bergen papers. This year the Burns Supper was organised in partnership with the Bergen branch of Norsk Malt Whisky Lag (NMWL). The dinner was held at Kjøttbasaren, right in the centre of Bergen. Society Chairman and Master of Ceremonies James Hosea opened the evening, and Pipeband leader Chris Jones piped in Joe and one of his Chieftain haggii. David Robertson gave the address to the haggis, and the Immortal Memory was delivered by Craig Morton. After the main course Grendakoret entertained the dinner guests with a trilogy of Burns songs. Joe regaled guests with tales of haggis mating habits and moves by the Scottish Government to protect the now endangered species. Svein Arne Frekhaug toasted the lassies in poetic style, and Cecile Rosenvold quoted extensively Burns in her reply from the lassies. Then it was time to clear away the tables and for June Murison to lead the dancing into the wee small hours. The location, venue, catering were excellent and the staff did a great job. A thoroughly enjoyable night was had by all.
	Curling 28 November 2007 - Iskanten Following the opening of Bergen’s first curling rink, the Society decided to partake in one of Scotland’s oldest sports. 26 members and friends received tuition from the helpful staff at Iskanten and then the competitive spirits came to the fore as group was divided into a number of teams and the rest of the evening was given over playing curling for real. A fun and popular evening definitely to be repeated.
	Autumn Ceilidh 27 October 2007 - Terminus Hall, Grand Hotel Terminus Building on the success of the 2006 Autumn Ceilidh, the Society arranged another large ceilidh. The evening’s star performers were Edinburgh ceilidh band Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, led by Gary West presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s Pipeline programme. The band’s unusual line up was fronted by Gary on bagpipes, with Marcos Watt on drums Stan Wilson on Bass and Colin Mathieson on guitar and keyboard. The dance floor was packed all night, with over 120 people attending. The Bergen Pipeband opened the evening and put on a display of piping and drumming. The Pipeband was joined by special guests Colin Pryde (Pipe major at Loretto School), Brian Alexander (Senior Drum Major in the British Army), Bill Carr from Oslo and Kenneth Jones from Stavanger. After Dark quartet and friends also joined the evening’s bill of entertainment singing a selection of Scottish songs, providing a breather from the dancing. All in all it was another tremendous evening.
	Guided Historical Walk 12 September 2007 Around 20 members and friends met at the Witches monument by the Bergen Aquarium for the first historical walk organised by the society.  The walk was guided by Christopher Harris and was highly informative.  For over an hour the walk led back along the Nordnes peninsular through areas once well populated by Scottish merchant families.  The route led via Skottegaten and Skottesalen before finishing the walk for drinks at Nøsteboden.  A very interesting time was had by all.
	Summer Barbeque 9 June 2007 Society members Matt Chamberlain and Iren Haugen and family kindly hosted the first society barbeque at their home on Lærebakken.  Around 15 members and family attended and enjoyed a very well prepared event.
	Norwegian Constitution Day Parade 17 May 2007 Once again the Society took part in the Constitution Day parade in Bergen. This year the Bergen Pipeband was pride of place at the front of the Society. Their version of Nystemten proved a winning combination, and the band did an excellent job keeping their puff going as people in the crowd shouted out for more.
	Spring Ceilidh 21 April 2007  The Ian Hutson Scottish Dance Band returned to Bergen to play at the Spring Ceilidh after the success of their performance at the Autumn Ceilidh. As is now traditional, the Bergen Pipeband welcomed guests to the ceilidh in rousing style. A light supper was served once all the guests had arrived. The hall was soon jumping to the sound of Ian Hutson and the boys as the dishes were cleared and the dancing began. Few people remained seated for the evening as the dancing continued into the wee small hours.
	A.G.M. Wednesday 21st March 2007 - Kalfarveien Click here to see a review of the Bergen Scottish Society in 2006  To view this file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Bergen Scottish AGM 2007 - Powerpoint Version  To view this file you either require the full version of Powerpoint, or you will need to download the Powerpoint viewer. The Societies second annual general meeting was held at Kalfarveien. A review of 2006 was presented, the committee was re-elected and an election committee was established. Coffee and cakes were on hand for some after meeting socialising.
	Whisky Tasting. Wednesday 28th February 2007 - Nøsteboden Chris Maile, one of Norway’s foremost whisky experts and organiser of the Oslo Malt Whisky Festival, gave a presentation on single malt whiskies and the blending of whisky at the Society’s first whisky tasting. The theme for the night was “A Round of Bells”, and Chris used six of the key ingredients in Bells whisky to explains how the different characteristics of single malt whiskies are skilfully blended together with grain whisky to produce the desired flavour. At the end of there evening every table group was challenged to take the whisky samples on their table and to produce their own blend that was as close to Bells as possible. After much tasting and deep consideration, a winning team was chosen and all members received nosing glasses. Musical entertainment was provided by the Bergen Pipeband and by After Dark quartet, who sang three traditional songs including one in gaelic. After the whisky tasting and musical entertainment everyone retired to the bar in Nøsteboden.
	Burns Supper. Saturday 27th January 2007 - Reksten Samlingen The Society started off 2007 by embarking on a new venture. Having been saved in 2006 by Portobello butcher Joe Findlay’s haggis mercy mission, the Society decided to invite him back again in 2007 as guest of honour. Our friends in the Bergen branch of Norsk Malt Whisky Lag (NMWL) heard about our success in getting haggis to Bergen in 2006 and asked us to help supply their Burns Supper with haggis as well. It quickly became clear that Joe’s suitcase wouldn’t be big enough to bring in enough haggis for two Burns Suppers, so he kindly offered to make haggis in Bergen.   After a couple of phone calls, Solheim Kjøtt agreed to buy in the essential raw ingredients and to let Joe use his premises to make genuine haggis in Bergen. News quickly spread and orders flowed in from other Burns Suppers across Norway. In the end Joe produced over 100kg of haggis! The event caused some excitement in the local media and Joe became overnight Bergen’s “Haggis King”. With the main ingredient secure, the Burns Supper itself was held at Reksten Samlingen. The snow fell deep and crisp and even before and during the event, but despite this 90 guests and speakers made their way through the snow drifts for the night. The evening was opened by Bergen Pipeband playing a rendition of Highland Cathedral and a medley of other traditional Scottish pipe tunes. Society Chairman and Master of Ceremonies James Hosea opened the evening, and Pipeband leader Chris Jones piped in Joe and one of his Chieftain haggii. Willie Dawson gave the address to the haggis, and the Immortal Memory was delivered by Tom Hunter. After the main course Joe entertained the guests with tales of his haggis farm outside of Edinburgh. Deputy Mayor of Hordaland Tom-Christer Nilsen toasted the lassies in fine style, and then received as good as he gave from Helenka Dinessen in her reply from the lassies! The Society was very fortunate in that Johannes Gjerdåker read a number of his eloquent translations of Burns in Nynorsk. Grendakoret followed up with a trilogy of Burns songs, and then it was time to clear away the tables and dance away the rest of the night to the sound of Ally MacKenzie  on accordion and Iain “Stretch” McFadyen on drums.
	Autumn Ceilidh. Saturday 28th October 2006 - Terminus Hall, Grand Hotel Terminus The third ceilidh that the Society has organised was made an extremely memorable occasion by the presence of the Loretto School Pipes and Drums and Highland Dancers, and the Ian Hutson Scottish Dance Band.  The evening began with guests being greeted by 16 pipers and drummers of Loretto School playing outside Terminus Hall. Earlier in the week Loretto School had distinguished themselves with a live performance and interview on Bård Ose’s programme on NRK’s P1 radio station, followed by a rendition of the Bergen anthem Nystemten and a display of Highland Dancing for a live transmission on NRK’s evening new programme Vestlandsrevyen. After a welcome drink and a chance to mingle, guests were invited to dinner and lead up the steps to Terminus Hall by Pipe Major Colin Pryde of Loretto School. The menu for the evening was Rabbie’s Ragout (a beef stew) followed by the time honoured classic Apple Crumble. Coffee was accompanied by a display of piping and Highland Dancing by the pupils of Loretto School, including a moving rendition of The Gael from the film Last of the Mohicans. The Bergen Scottish Pipeband joined the Loretto School Pipes and Drums to play Nystemten, at which every guest in hall rose to their feet. Once the tables had been cleared for dancing, the Ian Hutson Scottish Dance band took over and raised the tempo a notch as the dancing got underway. Ian played a variety of dances and provided guidance and instruction so that no-one had an excuse for sitting out! As Ian said, “In Scotland we do everything twice”, so everyone had the chance to hone their dancing skills. The dance floor was packed for every dance, and Ian and the boys didn’t have much trouble encouraging everyone to take part. The evening was brought to a close at about 01:30 with Auld Lang Syne.   Around 150 members and non-members enjoyed a fun-filled evening of Scottish Country Dancing and musical entertainment. The dinner was sold out in advance and extra “dancing only” tickets were made available to additional guests that wanted to come along and join in the dancing. The evening was a tremendous success and was the Society’s largest event to date.
	Spring Ceilidh. Friday 19th May 2006 - Danckert Krohn The second ceilidh of the Society set off to a great start with a hearty buffet of Scots and international dishes. Music to-dine-by was provided by Bjørn Andersen on accordion, and Rosemary entertained the ceilidh-goers with a sketch based on a Morningside dentists waiting room. Once again, committee member June Murison provided excellent guidance and tuition with the Scottish Country Dancing. The dance floor was packed, with all ages trying their hand at Gay Gordons, Cumberland Reels, Dashing White Sergeants and the like. Unlike the St. Andrews ceilidh, the dancing started while it was still broad daylight outside. A some what surreal experience for not yet used to the long summer evenings in Bergen. The raffle raised some amusements when it was discovered that the winning ticket for a bottle of 12-year old Glenlivet was held by the Chairman, who also donated the bottle. The Chairman called for a redraw, only to win a second time! A deserving (and independent) winner was found at the third try. The dance floor stayed packed long after darkness eventually fell, and Auld Lang Syne brought the evening to a close long after the bewitching hour.
	Norwegian Constitution Day Parade 17 May 2006 The Society took part in the 17th of May parade in Bergen for the first time in fittingly dreich weather. Before the parade set off, the Society Chairman and members of the Bergen Scottish Pipeband were interview by NRK, with the pictures being broadcast nationwide as part of the main NRK programme for the 17th of May. The Bergen Scottish tartan was proudly on display and the pipeband proudly displayed its Bergen roots by playing Nystemten, the Bergen anthem. More than 20 members of the Society took part in the parade, and the Bergen Scottish Pipeband entertained the crowds with Nystemten and a selection of traditional Scots airs.
	AGM.  22nd March 2006  Click here to see a review of the Bergen Scottish Society in 2005  To view this file, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
	Burns' Supper.   Click here to see Bergen's Tidende Article 21st January 2006 – Åsane Idretts Klubb Following the haggis-drama of 2005, no chances were taken with delivery of the main dish in 2006. Award winning Scottish haggis breeder Joe Findlay (http://www.findlayofportobello) personally escorted a consignment of the wee beasties to Bergen. His journey by road from Portobello to Aberdeen and onward by air to Bergen was reassuringly uneventful. The evening opened in the time-honoured fashion with a chieftain haggis being carried on a silver platter to the top table by Joe Findlay, escorted by Bergen Scottish piper Chris Jones playing Burns’ A Man's A Man For A' That. Society member Jimmy Fulton performed the Address to the Haggis, cutting the great chieftain o' the pudding-race up wi' ready sleight and trenching its gushing entrails bright. After the guests had filled and then emptied their groaning trenchers, they were entertained with the Immortal Memory to Robert Burns, a reading of A Man's A Man For A' That, the traditional toast to the lassies and reply from the lassies and a talk on the origins and development of the haggis. The formal part of the evening closed with Grendakoret singing three Burns songs; Ae Fond Kiss, My Heart’s in the Highlands and Cald Blows the Wind. The floor was then cleared for Scottish Country dancing, and the evening was brought to a close a couple of hours later with everyone coming together to sing Auld Lang Syne. The 2006 Burns Supper was a great success, with over 80 people attending, and it has set a high standard for 2007!
	St. Andrew's Ceilidh. Saturday 19th November 2005 - Danckert Krohn The first ceilidh of the Bergen Scottish Society kicked off with a brief introduction to St Andrew and his importance to Scotland and a hearty meal of stovies - just the thing to fortify body and soul on a cold, damp November evening in Bergen. Once again Solheimkjøtt did us proud with their catering! After the stovies had been washed down with coffee and cake, and a wee nip of something stronger, Gabriel Fliflet (accordion) and Annlaug Bursheim (fiddle) entertained the ceilidh goers with a selection of traditional tunes from both mainland Scotland and Shetland. With a musical warm-up provided, and digestion accounted for, committee member June Murison led the dancing as Gabriel and Annlaug continued with their excellent renditions of traditional Scottish music. All the old favourites from Scottish school and university ceilidhs in Scotland were danced, including the Dashing White Sergeant, Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, St Bernard’s Waltz, Cumberland Reel and Boston Two-Step. The dance floor was packed for much of the night, and pretty much everyone took the opportunity to work off the stovies and cake. The evening finished in time-honoured style with everyone coming together to sing Auld Lang Syne. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with great expectations set for the next ceilidh! Please click the image, or here, to view a slideshow of pictures from the Introduction to Scottish Culture.  If you experience problems viewing the slideshow, you may need to install Macromedia Flash to your browser.  To download the free Macromedia Flash Player, please click here.
	An Introduction to Scottish Culture. Saturday 17th September 2005, Torgallmenning This was the inaugural event of the Society, involving a display of traditional Scottish Dancing and Bagpipe music.  Traditional Scottish fare was kindly provided by Walkers Shortbread Ltd, and committee member Frances Valeur brought her own home-made Scottish cakes and shortbread. Supplies of Scotland's other national drink , Irn Bru, were given out to help wash down the shortbread and home baking. Please click the image, or here, to view a slideshow of pictures from the Introduction to Scottish Culture.  If you experience problems viewing the slideshow, you may need to install Macromedia Flash to your browser.  To download the free Macromedia Flash Player, please click here.
	Burns' Supper. 28th January 2005 - Danckert  Krohn Drama surrounded the journey of the haggis from its homeland, over the North Sea to Bergen. Misdirection, fog, a traffic accident, and over zealous (and perhaps dyslexic) customs officials all had a hand in preventing the traditional dish from arriving at the head table. In the end the day was saved by Solheimkjøtt, who stepped into the breach with a Bergen variation of the Haggis (see article from Bergens Tidende). The rest of the evening passed off smoothly. The guests were piped in, the traditional toasts and speeches were delivered and well received, and the immortal memory of Robert Burns was remembered and celebrated once again. A ceilidh brought the 2005 Burns Supper to a close, with the guests taking part in some Scottish Country dancing and enjoying music from the bagpipes and accordion. This was the first large Burns Supper to be held in Bergen for many years, and the success of the event led the organisers to establish the Bergen Scottish Society a few months later. Please click the image, or here, to view a slideshow of pictures from the 2005 Burns' Supper.  If you experience problems viewing the slideshow, you may need to install Macromedia Flash to your browser.  To download the free Macromedia Flash Player, please click here.