Nearly two hundred and twenty years ago, in 1788, thirteen Highland gentlemen met in Inverness to discuss how the social life in the North of Scotland might be enlivened. During the course of their ‘conversation at length on the subject’ the Gentlemen resolved to hold an annual meeting ‘for the purpose of promoting a social intercourse’ and agreed among other resolutions, recorded by Dr John Alves, the first secretary; ‘that as the Object of the Meeting is Pleasure and Innocent Amusement.

The new millennium finds The Northern Meeting a vibrant and enthusiastic society. Although changed by an increasingly ex-patriot and itinerant membership the annual autumn and Christmas balls are highlights of the season. The modern trend of informality tends to flatten many events but the ‘grand occasion’ of the balls, the friendly formality of the Reels and the sense of occasion creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

The Northern Meeting continues to provide its members with ‘The pleasure and innocent amusement’ which it founders prescribed over 200 years ago.

To enter the Northern Meeting Piping Competitions please click the link below.

www.piping.northern-meeting.org