The first ever Perth Ball Christmas Picnic Dance was held in the Pavilion at Fingask Castle on 23^rd December 2015.

Tickets were a sell-out, with people bringing whoever happened to be in their house party for Christmas from grandparents to 5 year olds and all ages imbetween.  The atmosphere was magical and everyone agreed it was the perfect way to kick off the festive celebrations.

Picnic suppers ranged from sandwiches and sausage rolls to a whole ham.

The Willie Simpson Band provided a few hours of fast paced reeling (including some walk-throughs for the rusty) but everyone was back home and tucked up by midnight.

See Christmas Picnic Dance Gallery 2015 for more photos.

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The 158th Perth Ball at Fingask Castle was set in a magically surreal scene, with guests greeted on arrival by the huge spiral topiary veiled in a late summer mist.

Groups of University Reeling Society students, just starting term at Edinburgh and St Andrews and raring to go after the summer break, seemed intent on setting new speed records in their reel sets.  There was also impressive display of Rock ‘n’ Roll moves imbetween reels worthy of an Elvis movie.

As is currently modish, there was a hirsute Braveheart theme to the evening among the young gents, with lush beards and long hair making an appearance, along with some crazy coloured striped kilt socks, adding to the kilted ‘wow’ factor.

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More traditional male formal attire was very much in evidence as well, with some magnificent sporrans, fine velvet jackets and a smattering of white tie.  The ladies were as glamorous as ever in their long evening gowns, from slinky and chic to tassles and vintage taffetas.

The kedgeree breakfast was declared the best for 30 years and even the not-so-young were having so much fun they surprised themselves by still being there at 3 am for the last Reel of the 51st Highland Division!

See Perth Ball 2015 for more photos.

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Copyright Zygmunt von Sikorski-Mazur