St. Andrew’s Night Ball: A Scottish Celebration in Milan

The Milan Scottish Country Dancers celebrated St. Andrews Night with a formal ball on November 26, 2022. The event has been held annually for the past 30 years and was the first after a two-year break due to the pandemic. The evening included traditional Scottish country dancing, music, and food.

It was a wonderful way to learn about and experience the joy of Scottish culture and dance!

The Tradition of St. Andrew’s Night

St. Andrew’s Night is a Scottish holiday that falls on the 30th of November. The holiday celebrates the feast day of Andrew the Apostle, the patron saint of Scotland. St. Andrew’s Day is uniquely celebrated in Scotland and has a history and tradition that dates back centuries. For many, it also signifies the beginning of the Christmas season.

Traditionally St. Andrew’s Night is celebrated with a number of traditions, chief among them the St. Andrew’s Night Ball. The ball is a formal affair, and attendees are typically decked out in their best kilts and tartans.

St. Andrew’s Night Ball in Milan

The Milan Scottish Country Dancers hosted the ball at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, San Donato Milanese on Saturday, November 26, 2022.  The Crowne Plaza was specially selected not only for its accessible location but for its gorgeous wooden floor, which is perfect for dancing. Nearly 100 guests joined in the fun and were dressed in elegant gowns, kilts, highland dresses, and black-tie attire.

The highlight of the evening was the ceilidh, which is a traditional Scottish folk music performance. Ceilidhs typically feature lively tunes and plenty of audience participation. They’re often considered one of the best parts of any St. Andrew’s Night celebration.

After a superb buffet dinner, there were three hours of music and Scottish Country Dancing (reels, jigs and strathspeys) to live music played, by Michael Philip (accordion) and Paul Clancy (keyboards), flown in directly from Scotland for the occasion, with drumming by MSCD member Colin Jamieson.

If you find yourself in Scotland on November 30th, be sure to check out a St. Andrew’s Night Ball – or step to the beat right here in Milan with the Milan Scottish Country Dancers.

The association Milan Scottish Country Dancers is a registered association in Milan, Italy, with the primary goal to practice, teach and promote traditional Scottish country dance and culture. Dance lessons are held weekly and newcomers are always welcome!

Click here to learn more.

 Milan Scottish Country Dancers

E-mail info@milanscd.it

Web www.milanscd.it

Photo Gallery
See more photos on the Easy Milano Facebook Page.

To see the complete photo album see the Easy Milano Facebook Page.