A few weeks ago, I got a very kind email inviting me along with other bloggers to a ‘Traditional Scottish Night’ at the King James by Thistle Hotel in Edinburgh. I accepted right away obviously! I wouldn’t throw a free night of entertainment out the window and a chance to meet other local bloggers!
So on a normal Tuesday night after work, I took the train directly to Edinburgh and arrived just in time for the evening starting around 6.30. Well actually for the bloggers it all started at 6pm so I missed a private tour of the hotel with the other lovely ladies. But by 6.45 we were all seated in the large hall, ready for a great night!
The other 9 bloggers and I were seated at a ‘VIP table’ – we were smack in the centre of the room at the best table in the joint. We also had lovely little gift bags of Scottish products – including Irn Bru and Tunnock’s biscuits. We were indeed treated like VIPs.
I quickly introduced myself to the lovely 4-5 bloggers around me and the night was off to a good start. Everyone was so chill, and not going to lie it was so cool to hang out around fellow bloggers! If you’re a blogger out there in Scotland, please get in touch, because we should have more of these!
We were first served our meal. From a lovely leek soup, to a delicious main of salmon (for me, as others had beef or chicken) and finishing with shortbread and a traditional Cranachan dessert. It was my first time tasting Cranachan and I quite liked it – despite it being very rich!
Well after dinner, the evening finally kicked off with some music, some jokes and some dancing. Jamie, the host of Jamie’s Traditional Scottish Evening, was a hoot – a real entertainer! Not going to lie, I laughed out loud when he told his jokes! If you want a good joke about what’s under the kilt – he’s your man!
Sadly, I had to head out a bit early, because I had to train back home, but I still loved the evening!
Most of my fellow bloggers were British and many didn’t fully understand why people would pay to go to a show like this when you can just go out and explore Scotland. However, as a foreigner I could see the appeal – I could see my family loving this event if they came to visit! It’s definitely aimed at tourists and people who do indeed want a taste of Scotland during their short stay.
Here are 3 reasons to attend the traditional Scottish night:
1. Unless you come in January, chances you won’t be able to attend a traditional Burns supper and get the whole experience of the piping and the address. I personally attended my first real Burns supper earlier this year in Stirling and loved it! And I believed this really gave a good impression of it!
2. I loved that they didn’t serve us haggis as the main meal – I’m not a huge fan of haggis as you might expect – however, the night includes a taste of haggis later in the evening. It’s perfect for those who might not want to throw their money at a whole haggis meal before knowing if they like it. This way you get to taste it and decide if you would want a whole meal of it.
3. You get to experience some of the traditional culture. You get to see men in kilts (I love me a nice man in a kilt), see the bag pipes being played from up close, hear traditional songs and even see Highland dancing. After almost 2 years of living in Scotland, it was my first time seeing Highland dancers!
In all honesty, I thought it all seemed a bit expensive and I’m unsure if I would have paid for this – even though it is dinner and a show after all – but I could see why some people treating themselves to a trip to Scotland would be really happy to treat themselves to an event like this. This way, even if you’re in Scotland for only a weekend or a week, you get to see a big show of the Scottish culture.
What is one thing from your culture you think would be invaluable for a tourist to experience?xx
* The night at Jamie’s Traditional Scottish Night was courtesy of the hotel but all opinions are my own *