THE clichs were rolled out as the dancers stepped up to compete and celebrate the annual Feis on Bute.
Organiser Marian Downes confirmed 125 competitors would be coming to the island, along with families and friends, taking the number of visitors over the weekend to more than 450.
She described the one-day dance event at the Joint Campus in Rothesay as amazing, with lots of fun, laughter, competitive spirit and energy.
Energy was needed to get the whole event and the traditional after-dance ceilidh at the golf club organised.
Enthusiasm and hard work helped to make the event a great success, but there will be a crucial change to next year’s Feis.
Marian said: “We’re moving the festival to the first of May so people can have a bit more time on Bute and they can aim to take the last sailing that day at 8pm.”
The time shift is expected to make a considerable difference to the day, giving people a bit more time on the island and a little more freedom to the organisers, who currently cram in dance after dance to ensure nobody misses the last boat from Bute.
Feedback from dancers and adjudicators was positive all round, leading to the key cliché of the day that it was a Beaut Feis and a bonnie day.
One of the adjudicators remarked on social media: “What a great weekend. The venue is great. The dancing was great.
“The atmosphere was welcoming, friendly and fun. A thoroughly enjoyable experience for the young and not so young dancers. It was a pleasure to adjudicate in such an atmosphere of friendship and support.”
Much praise was given to Marian and the team that make the Feis happen, with the whole event described as 100 per cent Beaut!
Marian said she thoroughly enjoyed the day and the days leading up to it all. But she said there is no time to rest. Planning is already under way for next year’s event.
