Events Scottish Style

I recently returned from Scotland where I had the opportunity to learn about and experience events Scottish style. Want to get married in a castle, abbey or palace? The Scottish government through its Historic Scotland department, maintains most of the publicly owned historic buildings and they will be happy to accommodate your wishes at one of fourteen sites. Some of the castles, such as Campbell Castle in Dollar (pictured to the right), are ruins. Your event will need to be held outside, either on the hillside in front of the castle or in the center courtyard, which is large and grass-covered. Others, such as Edinburgh Castle, have been restored to their former glory and you can hold your event in one of several rooms open to the public. To find just the right venue, the Scottish government maintains a web site devoted exclusively to rentals at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/hire/corpevents.htm

You can also hold an event at the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral in St. Andrews. Because the cathedral is associated with the Church of Scotland, the procedure to obtain permission is lengthy and complex. Again, the event will need to be held outside.

In Dundee we happened upon preparations for a 30th birthday party being held on the 1824 British Naval frigate Unicorn (below) docked in the Dundee harbor. The ship's staff was setting up tables on two decks and decorating them with black plastic table cloths, votive candles and black balloons. All the ship's gunnery windows are simply open holes in the side of the ship, so the ship is unheated. It was going to be a very cold party that evening.

Birthdays are a big deal in Scotland. The Scots love to celebrate, send cards and give gifts, even to casual friends. However, gifts are not opened at parties. Rather, the honoree opens them in private after the party. This is particularly helpful at children's parties; no one feels as if their gift wasn't "good enough" and no one tries to "out do" others. 

Though cake is available, it is for display only and isn't served at the party. Rather, guests receive a piece wrapped in a napkin or tucked into a small box to take home and enjoy later, smashed icing and all.