Bergen Scottish Society

Cooperation with Borealis Festival

• Cooperation with Borealis Festival
Wednesday 19th March - Sunday 23th March

The collaboration between the Bergen Scottish Society and the Borealis Festival was a great success.  Four bagpipers from the Society's associated pipeband, the Bergen Pipes & Drums, played ann astounding rendition of Steam Train at the opening festivities on 19.march at Bergen Kuntshall, and pipe major, Thomas de Ridder, gave a late night concert on 22.march at Østre.

And fun was had by the Festival volunteers who participated in the round of Scottish dancing led by our own Bjarne, during their round-up party at Verftet on 23.march.   Whether it was Bjarne's fine instruction, the festival volunteers' fantastic sense of rhythm, their enthusiasm, or all the above, the troupes caught on quickly, making for a fun evening for all.  In particular, two gents jumped right into the mood (and each into a borrowed kilt) and Thomas and Roger were cheered on as they gave a mini-concert, finishing off with Scotland the Brave in honour of the out-going director of the Festival, Alwynne Pritchard, who hails from Glasgow and has put in an astounding 10 years with the Festival.  We wish her all the best in her future endeavours, and hope she enjoyed the Scottish sendoff of Robbie Burns' Auld Lang Syne, which Thomas presented as all joined hands in the traditional circle and sang the immortal words, "We'll drink a cup of kindness yet, in days of Auld Lang Syne."