Scottish traditions I grew up with that Americans find surprising
At school dances we do not dance to modern music. Instead, we have traditional Scottish dance, known as ceilidhs.
People ceilidh dance on the Royal Mile during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh.
Andrew Milligan / PA Photos via Getty Images
A ceilidh is a collection that involves dancing to traditional folk music, either in partners or in groups to set choreographed routines, all of which have their own names. For example, one of the most popular routines is called “Gay Gordons”.
When we were growing up, our school threw a ceilidh every year before Christmas. Throughout the month of December, each training class was dedicated to learning and practicing the various routines.
When I was studying in the US, it was years since I had been to a ceilidh – and yet I still remembered every single movement of “Gay Gordons” and tried (unsuccessfully) to teach it to my roommates.
