Presbyterian Church preparing annual Scottish debutante ball

The ball is a staple of the calendar, and will feature traditional food, dance and music for a night of Scottish heritage.

Nine debutantes will be making their formal debut this year, alongside their partners in traditional Scottish kilts to help create an atmosphere of anticipation and delight. Following the formalities though, families and friends will join them on the dancefloor for a night of celebration.

Highland dancers from Just Fling It will be performing traditional routines, and of course, famed delicacy haggis will be ceremoniously lit and piped into the darkened hall.

To wrap up the evening, attendees will be invited to join in the traditional 'Strip the Willow' dance, which guarantees plenty of fun and camaraderie on the dance floor.

Organiser Anne Lepper, who herself debuted at the 1967 ball, said that they tried to stick to the traditional idea as much as possible, but with a few modern accoutrements.

"It's young ladies coming out into society, was the original ... It's a Scottish ball and it's all tartan. The boys wear full kilts, we have lots of Scottish decorations."

"We try and still do the same things, we have the haggis and highland dancing. It's a traditional thing, so we keep it going. If it works, why change it?"

Hanging over this year's ball is the memory of 2024's haggis lighting, which saw the Soldiers Club evacuated after a fire scare.

Ms Lepper promised that it wouldn't happen again.

"That was just a one-off, caused a bit of a stir and it'll not happen again. A long-time Scottish committee ball member had passed away, and his funeral was on that day so I still think it was his last hurrah for us."

She said there was still time for debutantes to get involved, and encouraged eligible young women to get in touch by calling 0447 122 597.

The Scottish Ball will be held on May 23. Tickets will go on sale soon.