The Royal Caledonian Ball

[creagdhubh]

Greetings,

Whilst perusing the website of The Royal Caledonian Ball, of which the 165th recently took place on 3rd May 2013 at Grosvenor House Hotel in London, I came upon many wonderful photos of the attendees that may be interesting to the rabble. They can be found in each magazine issue located in the link below. I did notice on page 25 of the 2013 Magazine, a particular chap dressed in a rather loud tartan doublet (I should prefice by saying that I am fond of tartan doublets) that was an entirely different tartan than his kilt and looked a wee bit over the top, but I know it's all in good fun! In addition to the photos of the Ball, there is a plethora of articles that may also be of interest to you, such as an article regarding Kinloch Anderson beginning on page 34 of the 2013 Magazine.

You will see variety of dress present; however, the Ball details explicitly state the manner of dress for both men and women. They also warn that if you are not correctly dressed, you will be refused entry. I have never attended this particular Ball, but I have enjoyed many a reel at similar events within the Clan Macpherson Association. I would love to attend The Royal Caledonian Ball someday and dance the night away! The dress code details are as follows:

"Ladies

Full length dress

Gentleman

Highland evening dress, or

Evening tails with white tie, or

Mess kit

No dinner jackets


In detail

Ladies - essential

Floor length evening dress, or

Mess dress (for those entitled to wear it) with full length skirt

Ladies – optional (but encouraged)

Tiaras

Clan tartan sashes

Orders and Decorations


Gentlemen - essential

Highland evening dress comprising kilt and sporran, evening jacket of black broadcloth or coloured velvet, white evening shirt and black bow tie or lace jabot, or

Evening dress, comprising black evening tail coat, white shirt with wing collar, white bow tie and white waistcoat, or

Mess dress, worn according to regulations, with, preferably, where permitted, any more formal variation such as stiff shirt, wing collar and black bow tie


Gentlemen – optional

Orders and Decorations

For the set reels gentleman taking part must wear highland evening dress or mess kit, tail coats only if part of mess dress, and ladies must wear clan sashes."


Here's the link:

http://www.royalcaledonianball.com/annual_review

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...the ladies present are absolutely stunning!

[MacCathmhaoil]

I had planned on attending this year with my girlfriend for her birthday and my daughter to celebrate her first year of university. Unfortunately we have had to postpone until next year.

[MacCathmhaoil]

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...the ladies present are absolutely stunning!

And I forgot to mention you are correct about the women! Do look at some of the attire of the men in highland dress, it is interesting to say the least. Everything from those who have taken great care with their attire to some outfits that teeter on ghastly! I recall one individual that was wearing three different tartans, not hunting or dress but three distinctly different tartans.
The Tattler has photos going back over the last ten or so years if you Google it.

[creagdhubh]

And I forgot to mention you are correct about the women! Do look at some of the attire of the men in highland dress, it is interesting to say the least. Everything from those who have taken great care with their attire to some outfits that teeter on ghastly! I recall one individual that was wearing three different tartans, not hunting or dress but three distinctly different tartans.
The Tattler has photos going back over the last ten or so years if you Google it.

Indeed! I noticed that too in regards to some of the men's attire and of course, the gentlemen who are in their mess kit, always look very smart. I'll check out The Tatler too, thanks for that! I would have posted some of the photos from the Ball, yet I am not quite sure if they are copyrighted or not. Haven't really investigated that.

Cheers,

[Phil]

I am sure that all those attending these balls have a super time and it is marvellous that people outwith Scotland can celebrate their heritage in this way. I am not sure, however, just how open this type of event is to the majority of expatriate Scots who might find themselves in London at the tiime, particularly if they do not have the substantial entry fee this type of event attracts.

[creagdhubh]

I am sure that all those attending these balls have a super time and it is marvellous that people outwith Scotland can celebrate their heritage in this way. I am not sure, however, just how open this type of event is to the majority of expatriate Scots who might find themselves in London at the tiime, particularly if they do not have the substantial entry fee this type of event attracts.

Excellent point, Phil. I should mention too, after perusing some of the photos of The Royal Caledonian Ball via The Tatler, I saw a bloke in a very similar doublet to yours, right down to the distinctive, non-lozenge shaped buttons!

[artificer]

Fantastic link, Kyle!

I do with our local events had a bit more strict dress codes (perhaps not quite this strict) it's lovely to see an entire room of people dressed to the nines.

ith:

[creagdhubh]

Fantastic link, Kyle!

I do with our local events had a bit more strict dress codes (perhaps not quite this strict) it's lovely to see an entire room of people dressed to the nines.

ith:

I agree. It's a wonderful feeling too, I mean, I only have my own experiences of dancing at our annual Clan Macpherson Ball to relate and whereas that is not nearly as grand a scale, it's still a most enjoyable and lively evening of dancing, drinking, eating and socialising well into the wee hours!

[Phil]

Excellent point, Phil. I should mention too, after perusing some of the photos of The Royal Caledonian Ball via The Tatler, I saw a bloke in a very similar doublet to yours, right down to the distinctive, non-lozenge shaped buttons!

I am sure, in fact I believe tha late MacLeod had a similar doublet (probably got it from Stewart Christie as well). The sad fact is that we don't have this kind of "knees-up" generally in Scotland which is a disappoimtment.