A few Saturdays ago was the Bute Medical Society’s annual ball. Founded in 1915, making it one of the oldest and largest groups on campus, the Bute Medical Society brings together the medical world of St Andrews. In addition to day-to-day camaraderie for medics and operation of the Bute Ball, the society also does charity work with Penumbra, a Scottish mental health charity, and MS Society, a charity running research for Multiple Sclerosis.
Although Bute Ball might be on the more niche side of events in St Andrews, as an international relations major who happens to have a friend group largely composed of medics, I thought it might be a fun one to attend and tell the larger St Andrews community about.
The ball was held at Kinkell Byre, a classic for these events, but I will say it was one of the better done Kinkell Byre events that I’ve been to. The bussing situation was quick and easy with no wait for the filled bus.
Upon arriving at the venue, we were shown the free coat check (which to be fair was a rack of hangers, but from what I’ve heard, was safe from theft). We were immediately greeted with a group of Bute students offering free Prosecco and taken to a photo wall for professional pictures. Everything was beautifully decorated in twinkling lights delicately accented against the stone of the building, and the entryway had a sparkling tunnel of tree branches filled with fairy lights.
The tables were easy to find with a list of names and table numbers at the entrance. People lingered to finish their Prosecco, find friends at other tables, and take pictures around the beautiful building. Members of Bute wandered, pausing at groups to ensure people had found their tables and were comfortable.
After an hour filled with greetings and smiles, we were asked to take our seats where bread awaited us, and we were soon given our first course. In addition to this and bread, there were 2 bottles of white wine, 2 bottles of red, and a bottle of water at our table.
The dinner included a first course of tomato soup, a second course of a roast chicken, and a third course of sticky toffee pudding. Now I have heard some horrible things about the meals at some St Andrews balls, so I came in with some frightening expectations of tasteless food, but I found Bute’s meal to be quite pleasant. I’m vegetarian myself, and I found the vegetarian roast option to be delicious while my friends agreed their meals were good.
After dinner, there was a ceilidh. Being American, I had never been to a ceilidh before, so my friend and I walked out onto the floor apprehensively. Luckily, as soon as the music started, we were able to find one of our Scottish friends to help us out and were shouted instructions from the stage at the front of the room. Throughout the steps of the dance, you could hear everyone chanting the instructions.
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8!… and…” *the thuds of people shuffling to the moves* “…and…” *more thuds and claps and lots of laughter*
Dancing with people you have never met (and accidentally kicking and stepping on their toes as well) is a great way to break down feelings of awkwardness at an event.
After the ceilidh, there was a dance floor until 2am during which time people slowly boarded the shuttle home after a long and happy night.
Throughout the entirety of the night, staff were very kind and helpful. Bar staff danced to the music and were quick with orders. Security kept everyone safe. Medical staff were helpful after one of my friends suffered a ceilidh injury when someone stepped on her toe. Servers were artful in delivering food and ensured water was replenished throughout the night. Bute Society members were present, making sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves.
After my experience at Bute Ball this year, I would recommend it. If you are medic, it is an event you cannot miss; if you are close friends with many medics, it is an event you cannot miss; and even if you have no connection to the medical world at all, you should get out on the dance floor, ceilidh with some strangers, and enjoy this wonderful ball.