Well, it doesn’t actually. Here’s Anne’s explanation:

The thing about the word ‘ceilidh’ is that it’s in the process of evolution. It’s Gaelic, and means a getting together, usually for an evening, to dance and sing and tell stories, say poetry, play instruments, anything anyone wants to do really. But over recent years it’s being shifted to mean a certain type of Scottish country dancing, less formal than the ‘proper’ dancing my mother taught, and certainly not Highland dancing. So people talk here about ceilidh dancing, but they also talk about holding a ceilidh, and both meanings are understood. Ask Bridget – she’s the new version, I’m the old one.

Anne and Bridget volunteered with us as speech therapists – Anne is in her sixties, Bridget is in her early 30’s. Both are from Edinburgh and both, though different generations, are kindred spirits. Lisa – also from Edinburgh! – has just arrived to carry on the tradition. . .

But back to the Ceilidh.

Ever since she left a year ago, Anne has been plotting her return – and along with herself, she is determined to bring some much-needed equipment. To raise the money, she organized a Ceilidh in her city – a festive evening of music, dance, food and great company. Again, in Anne’s words:

The Ceilidh was on Saturday – it was a delightful occasion, with adults and children all joining in with the dancing, a band of musicians from a Scots Music Group evening class (and therefore free), who at one stage outnumbered the dancers, bagpipe players, harp players, samosas, pakoras, a raffle of various items including silk sent by Aarti. It was a very Scottish occasion, and lots of fun.

We projected on to a wall of the hall a loop of photos that I took while I was with you (168 of them!) so people could see what it’s all about. My brother Alastair has a company who do marketing and design, and they designed the poster for us for free – though actually I sent them a big bag of chocolate Easter eggs as a payment.

And the kicker:

Then on Monday the group who helped with the organisation met over a glass of fizzy wine and some chocolate cake, and counted the cash. £1500 is pretty good – we plan to raise another £500 with the intention of ordering dedicated software and, with your help, a computer specifically for the children to use.

We would be thrilled to get Anne back just with her little suitcase of clothes and books and her amazing, imaginative, creative mind full of new approaches, wisdom and experience. The idea that she is coming with £1500 of computer software as well – well! Here’s to Anne, the Ceilidh, and all her wonderful friends who made it happen.