VERO BEACH — Members and guests of the Scottish Society of the Treasure Coast kicked up their heels in full Highland fling fashion at the 11th Annual Tartan Ball, held Sunday night at the Vero Beach Yacht Club. From kilts and sporrans to broaches and bonnets, many in attendance displayed pride of heritage through clan tartans and other Celtic attire.
As she arrived, looking lovely in a long red plaid dress and black velvet jacket, Janet Baines took out her checkbook and laughed, “One thing I know for sure, I’ve got to pay the piper tonight!”
Although the plaids looked dissimilar, she and her brother Richard Crawford were both wearing Stewart tartans.
“There are 17 different Stewart tartans,” explained Crawford. “According to the Queen, anybody in Scotland can wear Stewart, because it’s her plaid.”
As event chair Eleanor Renuart greeted guests at the door, she noted that they would like to recruit additional younger people to the organization to continue its various traditions.
They hope that the upcoming Central Florida Scottish Highland Games north of Orlando might be one way to draw attention to the group. Highland Games stage a number of competitions, including piping and dance competitions, and a variety of athletic events, such as tossing the caber, a long pole that can weigh up to 130 pounds.
“We’re going to be a sponsor this year of the Highland Games in Winter Park, January 13 to 15,” added Joyce Smith.
Also that month, they’re looking forward to returning to the Vero Beach Yacht Club Jan. 18 for the annual Robert (Rabbie) Burns supper, celebrating Scotland’s world famous poet. With a nod to the country’s culinary curiosity, the event should include the dish made famous by Burns in, “The Address to A Haggis.
In traditional clan gathering fashion, David Spurlock, Pipe Major for the City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums, piped the procession into dinner after the cocktail hour, where they also enjoyed performances by dancers from the Rondeau School of Irish Dance.
Five energetic students dressed in colorful outfits, which they explained were inspired from the Book of Kells, entertained with fleetly footed step dances. Two younger girls performed in the soft shoes worn by beginning dancers. Three older students danced traditional Celtic rapid fire dances in hard tap shoes.
Following dinner, Pipe Major Spurlock, whose band will be competing in the January Highland Games, gave a brief history of the pipes before transporting members to their distant homelands with his playing.
He explained that although the bagpipes originated in the Middle East, once they migrated to Scotland, the Scots made them famous.
“Now almost anytime you hear the pipes, it’s from someone wearing a kilt,” said Spurlock.
And of course the burning question for one woman was, “What’s under the kilt?” In answer, another man called out with finality, “Shoes and socks!”
The Scottish Society welcomes those of Scottish decent, as well as others who wish to learn about Scottish heritage and history. In addition to the January events, and their informative monthly meetings, they host a Scottish High Tea in the spring, complete with Scottish shortbread of course.
On April 6 they join fellow Scots in celebration of Tartan Day, which congress designated to honor the Scottish contributions in the development of the United States. And each year they sponsor a Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan at a local church, which includes a procession of clan banners piped in with traditional melodies, followed by a reception or luncheon