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In my ‘Surprising Iceland’ article, I wrote about the beauties and humour of this unique land, yet there was much more happening there than just a touristic visit. There was dancing too, and not any type of dancing: Scottish reeling dancing.
It is rare for me to travel with a large group, but this time we were about 170 fellow reelers heading to Iceland. Sandy, our Super-Organiser, had scheduled quite a weekend of entertainment. Having planned flights, hotels and events, there was nothing else for us to do but discover the country and have some fun. And great fun we had!
For the sake of privacy for the other attendees of the weekend, I will limit the photos to the ones on which they can only be glimpsed at, though in compensation I will post some of me. When you read my previous articles, you know I don’t tend to. I have had complaint that I should appear more, so there you go!
The kick-off was on Friday, when all of us gathered in the Blue Lagoon for the welcome cocktail, leisurely floating in the hot springs. It was the most relaxed and unusual way to meet people I have ever experienced. It did prove a little difficult to recognize anyone afterwards though, when you first meet with an algae mask on their face…
We then continued for a scenic drive. Striking!
In the evening, we gathered for a drinks reception with a delicious and generous selection of nibbles in the 19th-century meeting house of the Reykjavik Craftsmen’s Association. With its lovely rooms, it looked like a cosy dollhouse in the upstairs floors, while downstairs the ballroom was perfect for dancing rock n’ roll and… Scottish reeling! For those who have never tried and wonder why I, a French-born Londoner, attend a Scottish Ball in Iceland, I have no explanation to offer. I still wonder of this came to be. 
I can only say how it all started: some Scottish friends, who knew how much I enjoy dancing on anything, introduced me about 2 years ago to their Scottish folk dance (it is very simplified and inaccurate description, but the only one which seems to make sense for those who never tried or seen it). And I LOVE it. It is fun, social, very energetic, mixing people from 8 to 98, and different.
But going back to that weekend, the Icelandic are renown for their nightlife and partying. So our Super-Organiser had also plotted an after-party club (nicknamed the ‘Craic Den’) for us all to gather and continue the night away. Sandy, you rock!
Anyway, slightly sleep deprived the next day and a little unwell – no, not from hangover, I know how to pace myself! – a bunch of friends and I roamed around town, knowing the fun had only just started.
Indeed, a flock of ‘tourists’ in white tie & evening gown, including many men in kilts, soon filled four buses and headed for more scenic views. As it got dark too soon, we did not see much. Although I did catch a picture of two Scotsmen in the middle of nowhere in Iceland, admiring in the dark the encounter of two tectonic plates.
The ball was taking place at the reconstructed Viking Longhouse at Ingolfsskali. It was a beautiful venue, and the most perfect room for Scottish reeling I had been in. As you will see from the video below, we do require a lot of place. It was eerie to open the night to the sound of bagpipes in a remote corner of Iceland, in a Viking Longhouse, for Scottish dancing…
Great dancing, great band (the Super Grouse!), great people, it was one of the best reeling night I have been to (and I have been to quite a few…).
The entertaining activities of this amazing weekend did not stop there. On Sunday night, Reykjavik saw a horde of Vikings ready to take on the town after dinner, again heading to the Craic’s Den. First though, we ‘invaded’ a Viking restaurant in the village of Fjorukrain. Each of us dressed Viking-like, we had a ‘craicing’ time! (sorry, I could not resist the pun about that Craic weekend). But don’t just take my word for it, check for yourself the photos and videos.
So now you understand that not only was Iceland beautiful, the whole trip was also rather unique in its programme and people involved. A special thank you, again, to Sandy for organising it all, and to Helen for inviting me to join in and for her part in planning the weekend.
Thank you for reading,
Virginie