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The Grand Highland Fling-a-ling (2025)
24th January £39.50
Enjoy the fun and frivolity of a proper Burns Night celebration, Northwood House style at The Second Grand Highland Fling-a-ling on Friday 24th January 2025!
After a sell out in record time for last year’s event, be sure not to miss out this January if you weren’t lucky enough to come last time!
So, gather some friends, dust of your best dancing shoes and join us for the most fun you might have this January! We’re planning a joyous night of celebration as we tip our tam o’shanters to the best of Scottish traditions and celebrate Burns Night in our own unique way!
Feasting and dancing (with an odd drink thrown in for good measure) was what Northwood House was originally built for, so be part of several hundred years of history by joining us to blow away the cobwebs at the end of January, with all proceeds raised going to the Charity’s restoration project funds.
Be welcomed by a piper as you enter the rotunda, enjoy a warming whisky cocktail before partaking in some pre-supper fun with the 2025 Highland Fling-a-ling Haggis and Heather tossing competition in the Ballroom, with a bottle of delicious Isle of Wight Whisky for the winners!
The winner the ladies and gents haggis and heather toss competition will be asked to become our ceremonial chieftains for the evening and assist with presenting the haggis for the address which then follows.
Then enjoy a delicious three-course Scottish-themed supper which will be served in the Drawing Room, Dining Room and Crush Hall.
After dinner, it’s back to the Ballroom for the grand finale where you can dance and reel the night away to a live ceilidh band and caller, with the whole room available for dancing or spectating. Of course, it would be rude not to join in and really make the most of the evening…participation is what makes it all the fun! You can have a go at dancing the Gay Gordons or the Dashing White Sergeant amongst many other classic Scottish Country dances…no experience necessary.
It’s going to be an absolute hoot for all ages and an event not to miss!
Tickets are only £39.50 each for this fantastic event, with limited space available. Please see the ticket booking section at the bottom of this page.
Seating will be mostly in sociable rows of banqueting tables, with people purchasing multiples tickets (for a group) being seated together across from each other to a seating plan. If you are booking separately to other people you wish to sit with or know, please state their names in the booking section. We will do our best to accommodate such requests, but can’t always guarantee that can happen. Please book a group together in one transaction if possible.
In a banqueting style arrangement, it’s likely you could be seated next to somebody you don’t know, especially if you’re booking small numbers of tickets. We know that will add to the fun of the night, as its about making new friends when the clans of the Isle of Wight come together!
Enjoy a warming whisky mac cocktail when you arrive or a glass of traditional Scottish Hot Toddy. There’s also a glass of prosecco or non-alcoholic fizz as alternatives. There will also be a complimentary shot of whisky for those who want one when we make the address to the haggis.
A seated Scottish-themed three course meal will be provided with the following menu:
Starters:
Scottish Smoked Salmon, Dill & Horseradish Pate (Gluten Free) served in a kilner jar.
or Sun-dried Tomato & Butter Bean Pate (Vegetarian/Vegan & Gluten Free) served in a kilner jar.
Served with fresh bread and butter (or gluten-free bread).
Main Course:
Homemade Rustic Haggis Pie
A crisp pastry case filled with traditional Scottish haggis topped with neeps & tatties. Served with fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli, beans) and a whisky sauce.
Dietary alternatives*:
- Vegetarian/Vegan – with vegan haggis and pie case
- Gluten Free (Meat) – with gluten-free meat haggis / without pie casing
*Sorry, but we are unable to source Gluten-free Vegan or Vegetarian haggis for this event, please contact us directly if you would like to discuss alternative main course options.
Dessert Course:
Traditional Cranachan served with homemade shortbread.
Dietary alternatives:
Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan variations available
A self-serve coffee and mints station will be available after the dessert course.
Table wine will be available to order on the night, but you can also order in advance when you purchase a ticket.
The House Bar will be open throughout the evening for other drinks.
7.15pm: Doors open with traditional Piper, followed by welcome drink in the Ballroom.
7.30pm: The Haggis and Heather Hurling competition in the Ballroom, with everyone called to have a go in this fun event! With ladies category (heather hurling) and gents category (haggis hurling) with prizes for the winners (A bottle of Isle of Wight Whisky for the gents and a bottle of Isle of Wight Mermaid Gin for the ladies)
8.10pm: Address to the Haggis (Ballroom) with piper and a shot of whisky.
8:15pm: Call to Dine: Drawing Room, Dining room, Crush Hall followed by three-course supper. Retire to the Bar or Ballroom for socialising afterwards.
9.45pm: The Grand Highland Fling-a-ling Ceilidh (Ballroom) with live band and caller (part 1)
10.30pm-10.45pm: Band break
10.45pm-11.45pm: The Grand Highland Fling-a-ling Ceilidh (part 2), last orders.
12am: Carriages.
Dressing up and looking the part is all part of the fun of coming to the Grand Highland Fling-a-ling!
For those seeking to pay homage to Scottish culture and history, traditional Scottish dress offers an excellent way to make an impression!
The chaps can adorn themselves in kilts, jackets, sporrans, and other classic accessories, while the lasses can don elegant tartan skirts, shawls, and brooches.
But we know most people won’t have this sort of traditional Scottish attire in the wardrobe of course but you can still come dressed up for a party!
For the men, a tweed or dinner jacket, shirt and tie (or bow tie) with smart (or tartan) trousers or even dark jeans if you fancy a modern twist to your outfit, while the ladies could opt for a knee-length frock or skirt with a dressy blouse…a touch of Scotland is a must though, so accessorise with tartan if you can!
If you can’t stretch to that (and a visit to the local charity shop for some tartan or tweed isn’t an option), just do the best you can, but a shirt, tie and a jacket is really a must for the gents please.
For those wishing to wear a fancy dress tam o-shanter hat, please do so at your own risk!
Can Children attend?
Older children (13 years +) are welcome to attend if accompanied by a parent or guardian and will have an alternative non-alcoholic drink option, although this event is really most suited for adults to enjoy. Unfortunately, there are no concessions for children who attend and a standard ticket must be purchased.
Where do we park and enter?
Enter at the main Northwood House Rotunda entrance (listen for the piper if you need some help finding it!).
There is limited parking space in the rotunda car park, adjacent to the Rotunda entrance. Otherwise street parking in Ward Avenue may be available along with many spaces in Park Road Car Park (5 mins walk) which is free after 6pm.
Cancellation Policy:
If the event has to be cancelled by Northwood House in advance for any reason (eg bad winter weather) a full refund will be issued to all ticket holders within 3-5 working days of the notification.
Ticket purchases can be cancelled up to 8 days in advance with a full refund, but after that no refund can be issued unless an alternative purchaser can be found to fill the space, sorry,
Requests for a full refund must be made by phone or email on or before 5pm on 17th January 2025.
Email: administrator@northwoodhouse.org
Office telephone: 01983 293642
