CEAD MILE FAILTEL

‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes’

The Scottish Society of Knoxville, celebrated the 250th birth of Robert Burns.  The dinner was a total success with one hundred and seventy-five Scotts in attendance.  Congressman Duncan was among the distinguished list of guests. 

The evening began with the Pipers Call To Dinner at 6:00 P.M.  Following a short welcome and ceremony in honor of the Haggis, I played various selections of Celtic music on the harp.  Music filled the air and added a feeling of times past as guests enjoyed a lovely dinner followed with toasts to the lassies and the lassie’s reply. 

The Feature of the evening was Scottish Dancer, Clair McMillan I played the bagpipes for her to dance.  Clair performed the Sword Dance and the Earl of Errol Dance.  I played Ghillie Calum, the traditional Sword Dance tune and Simple Gifts for the Earl of Errol Dance.  This is the first time I have played for a dancer.  I look forward to playing the bagpipes for dancers in the future.  Clair and her Mother Jean are a wonderful pair!  The experience was a class act and I have found a new group of friends in the process.  

The Burns dinner was a great experience shared with good friends and new friends.