Scene from a Ceilidh
Last night – Friday 19 July – was the occasion of the Ceilidh during the Berneray Week. The word comes from the Old Irish – cele – meaning ‘companion’. From this singular form it has developed into an expression about people keeping ‘company’ and the coming together of the ‘community’ for a social occasion. The custom has been for dancing, music, storytelling and poetry – a blend of the literary, musical and movement. The emphasis today is on dancing – particularly with a ‘dance caller’ to assist novices in the relatively simple steps. There will be some exhausted people on the island today, but not enough to deter the runners in the Road & Cross Country 10k Race. Tonight’s Traditional Concert will be conducted at a slightly slower pace.