A glamorous ballroom in an historic hotel will whirl dancers back to the 1950s to celebrate its reopening.
Major restoration work has been done to the Cluny Hill College campus near Forres to restore the old dancing hall to its former glory.
Next week dancers will take to the floor at the Findhorn Foundation’s ornate building for a ceilidh organised to recreate the hotel’s heyday in the 1950s.
Dances on Friday nights were a regular feature at the time for locals looking for evening entertainment.
During the last three months, volunteers have used more than 200 litres of paint to restore the grand palatial ballroom.
Jonathan Caddy, son of the building’s former manager Peter Caddy, is eager to see the dancefloor full once again now work to repair the floor and roof has finished.
He said: “After months of careful work the Cluny maintenance team have finally renovated the ballroom, which is more than 100 years old, so it now glows.
“If buildings could talk this one would have many, many interesting stories concerning the thousands of people attracted to the place and sea of fascinating events that must have happened there, and still do.
“The fond memory of the ceilidhs in the late 1950s, where musical and entertaining talent was sought from the local area, still lives on in many local people who were touched by their dynamism and special nature.”
Visitors to the dances would normally come dressed in their finest clothes to match their extravagant surroundings.
Guests at next week’s celebration have been encouraged to continue that tradition by wearing their grandest attire.
Slides of previous events will also be displayed in an evening of entertainment and Scottish country dancing.
After being opened as a hospital in 1865 the building is now used by the Findhorn Foundation for accommodation and to host courses.
Mr Caddy added: “It’s an opportunity to get dressed up and float into another era. It would capture some living history, celebrate the building and the fine institution of the Cluny celidhs.”
The ceilidh is on Thursday, April 6 and begins at 7pm. Entry is by donation but should be booked by phoning 01309 678020.
