Well, it was a wonderful week and yet again we feel like we've been blessed to experience something so special with so many amazing people from around the world. I'm sure where enthusiasts get together to enjoy anything that enthralls them, there is a level of energy involved, however there cannot be that many non-competitive activities that are so much fun and that are so accessible to so many different ages, nationalities and income levels, while doing you so much physical, mental and psychological good! 
After indulging in a final full breakfast, enjoying our last look at the fabulous view and saying goodbyes, we walked easily back to the little Pitlochry Station  trundling our cases behind us, to gradually meet up with most of the people who we'd just said farewell to as they drifted onto the platform to catch the same Edinburgh train as us! Promises to ourselves and each other to do it all again next year...we all truly hope rather than expect to achieve, but you never know... 🤞

As we walked into Pitlochry for our final classes, it was really strange to think that less than a week before we hadn't even arrived. Everything was now so comfortably familiar; however our final classes still gave us new moves and new dances to enjoy. In my class the teacher took advantage of the skill level of the class, not to mention the skill level of our brilliant accordionist who was supplying the music for our lesson, to push the boundaries and create a medley of two dances that had been published initially a reel and then as it's original version which was a Strathspey. The end result, however challenging was great fun and gave us a sense of achievement fitting for the end of such a great week of classes. The rest of the day was now focused on the ball. The afternoon walk through was understandably well attended, and extremely well run. Many of the dances were unfamiliar to both P and myself, but after walking them in such a great atmosphere we were looking forward to dancing them later. Dinner had been brought forward to accommodate us and we were encouraged to come down to dinner dressed as the buses were to leave promptly at 7pm. This necessitated quite a lot of serviettes tucked into collers since the concern of gravy down your front was a real one. We survived the meal unsplattered however and got to the coach on time ready to enjoy ourselves. Arriving at the Castle 20 minutes later we were amazed to be greeted by a Piper on the front steps of the Castle. In former years we had only been able to use the modern annex - still an amazing experience - but not the same as going through the front door! Travelling down the long corridors we finally came to the cloakrooms and changed into our dance shoes - an activity that had probably been repeated hundreds of times in the castle's past . Despite the chill we left our coats on hangers and headed into the reception area to be greeted with a choice of wines.  Eventually the president called us to order and we formed up in couples for a Grand March led in by the Piper. Simple as it is, a Grand March is always thrilling when a lot of people are involved and in such a superb setting as the Blair Atholl Ballroom it is more than memorable. From the lines of the March, sets were immediately formed for the first dance- the very simple Jubilee jig and the night continued with super selection of jigs reels and Strathspeys. 

One more day to go and it both feels like we've been here forever and that you'd like it to go on forever. Today my class was in the hotel and it was P's turn to trot out in the rain. He got slightly damp in the drizzle but he can't have been as cold as I was. The Atholl Suite, where the class was held, was seriously chilly to start with but we soon warmed it up. The class was fast paced and fun with yet a different teacher and  teaching style. We were taught some super dances in a way that seemed effortless but I know takes considerable skill and preparation. The music was provided by a lovely violinist who claimed she was a beginner in the role of class musician but you certainly couldn't tell. Everyone left smily and enthusiastic and slightly exhausted. This afternoon the 'activity' was a very popular gin tasting session but we dipped out of that, with the initial plan being to take advantage of the spa in the hotel however we only got as far as our room. A certain amount of swatting for the Ball dances seemed advisable as well as some well deserved down time. It was a bit of a relief that tonight was the ceilidh so we didn't need to learn a thing. The word 'Ceilidh' nowadays usually means a night of easy dances and some food. The RSCDS ceilidhs are more in the traditional style of a selection of 'party pieces' and music, as well as dancing, the content can therefore vary enormously but it is always kept low key and friendly. Some of the dances were hilarious, at least they were how we did them. A couple of the activities were beyond the scope of our particular table - not surprisingly when none of us were Scottish - but we had fun trying and the music was wonderful. The evening finished with coffee in the lounge. Another great day 

Waking without too many aches and pains was something of a relief and a vindication of yesterday's teacher's warm up and warm down routines. I was the only one who had to travel today as P's class was in the hotel. I headed down to my class in town in a slight drizzle. A different teacher and musician, but just as much fun and definitely some interesting challenges. 
Classes over, we had a snack, then joined a few others who had been asked to spare an hour to help proof a new dance. It was a fascinating process especially fitting the dance to music - or not - as it turned out, a bit of tweaking is going to be required apparently. The dance's name is currently restricted but we'll look out for it and maybe it'll be on our programme some day. More followed, tonight was a more than usually challenging dance program so the 'walk throughs' were very well attended and lots of fun, then the RSCDS International Branch had invited members to a very successful social get together with wine and nibbles. Dinner was next and delicious as always. Finally I headed for the evening's dance - P had decided he wanted to save himself - or at least his knee - for his dance classes so regretfully decided to skip the evening. As usual even without a partner to hand I had a great time. Dancing every dance until I decided to call it a night and headed upstairs to nurse a possible emerging cold ☹️. I've no time for sniffles 🤞it will be gone by tomorrow.

With mornings and evenings so crammed with dancing you would think the free afternoons would see us all heading for the hills to clear our heads of jigs and reels, however, although the joy of the  week is due to the chance to dance so much, so many of the evening dances are unfamiliar that the afternoon 'walk throughs' are a necessity for many of us and it's not surprising they are well attended. Along with the 'walk through's' other afternoon activities are available, usually of a Scottish, but not necessarily dancing, variety. We were recommended to attend the talk on Music in the RSCDS but we attended more out of loyalty than expectation of entertainment. We were surprised how many people chose to attend too, but we were all glad we did - the talk given by a former Musical Director of the society was absolutely fascinating, I wasn't just glad we'd gone I felt we'd been privileged to attend, and left with a new appreciation, bordering on awe, for these brilliant people, so necessary to dancing and so generally underappreciated. 
Once another huge 3 course meal was under our belts it was time to head down for the second evening dance of the week. Several unfamiliar dances had been hastily acquired in the walk through but despite our shaky knowledge we were encouraged to get up and dance by various other partners who could guide us through more confidently. The ballroom floor isn't really ideal for Scottish Dancing but even so the room is packed with set. Every dance is 'recapped' before you start which helps enormously with the inevitable blank moments that we all suffer from. After eating such a big meal you feel you can't dance a step, after the first dance you want to dance all night. The energy in the room is palpable and when, after a couple of energetic hours, the evening draws to an end it's hard for everyone to wind down... queue the Soiree; as wired as the rest of us the musicians migrate to the foyer where free coffee, tea etc is available and everyone settles down on the settees and easy chairs to the clink of tea spoons on china, to wind down and discuss the day... until the band plays a familiar ceilidh tune and the Military Two Step spontaneously erupts followed by a more sedated Pride of Erin walz and we finally drifted back to our room to give our feet some TLC before collapsing. 3 more days to go: wonderful!

P and I have chosen different class levels -P limiting his ambition to the intermediate class which he knew he would enjoy without too much stress involved. With a certain degree of trepidation I had plumped for the high impact advanced, a level I knew I should be aiming for without truly being sure I could reach it. I shouldn't have worried though, it was a super fun morning, the teaching was so clear and the points built up so carefully there was virtually nothing I struggled with. It was wonderful, also, to dance in a class with an experienced musician providing the music - a very, very rare privilege in Cyprus. I now have 5 more dances in my repertoire but the Strathspeys Wishing Well and Up in the Air were ones I especially enjoyed so look out when I get back. The picture is of the room as we finished, I was too busy to get one earlier.

The weather is great so the walk to class in town should be lovely, breakfast was as good as we remembered from previous visits, we know we'll be working hard so it's a good reason to eat!

A brilliant night and good start 

So now I have a couple of minutes to update before heading down to the ballroom for our first evening of dancing. We've been given a super room, attended the welcome reception and had a fabulous meal but now of course, now we don't feel much like dancing, however that's what we are here for, so dance we will. In acknowledgement of it being the first night, I.e. before any of the classes have started, the programme is relatively simple so we know at least 1\2 of it :-) the rest we have been swatting up and hopefully we will remember, but it'll be fun either way.