Tartan Ball: A Brief History

DanceScottish.ca
 

The first ball recorded in our archives was sponsored by the Scottish Country Dance Society of Toronto in November 1956. The organizers had the temerity to call it ‘The 1st Annual Ball’. What cheek!  The ball venue changed over the years: War Amps Hall, Granite Club, Lord Simcoe Hotel (all since demolished). By 1963/64, the number of dancers had grown and the ball moved to a grander venue: the Royal York Hotel. It was then the ball acquired its grand name: The Tartan Ball. One year, over 800 dancers attended! To accommodate current numbers, in 2019 the Tartan Ball moved to its new home — the beautiful, historic Old Mill Inn. 

Guests of Honour: In 1978 we invited our first Guest of Honour: Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, The Hon. Pauline McGibbon. Since then we’ve had many Guests of Honour (several of them vice-Regal), one Minster of the Crown, one Chief of Defence Staff, many SCD teachers being honoured for their contributions, and a quite a few show-biz and business personalities. Some of these dignitaries are shown here.