During the last weekend in May, a crowd of willing volunteers would book the Vicky Hall for a ceilidh, put on a concert, persuade Historic Scotland to let us use Doune Castle and add a few sessions in local pubs - there seemed nothing to it! The first Fling ceilidh, held in the Victoria Hall, saw a packed crowd dancing to music by the Tattie Howkers. The Saturday concert featured Setanta, supporte
d by local band Talisker, and was a great success. And on Sunday the 'Doune' bit of the Doune and Dunblane Fling saw the first fun day at Doune Castle, with everything from lace-making demonstrations and a treasure hunt to storytelling, music, dance, jesters and a ceilidh in the Great Hall with the Skelpit Lugs. Since then the Fling has gone from strength to strength. Some years there's been a party up the length of Dunblane's High Street. Several times we've had a procession of hundreds of Harley Davidson bikers through the town. Doune Castle has seen everything from battle re-enactments and birds of prey to Greek dancers and African drummers. The folk club also began to host a 'survivors' party' on Sunday night, spiced with a late night curry generously donated each year by the local India Gate restaurant. Somewhere along the line the first 'Fling by the River' began. Held each Fling Saturday on Dunblane's historic Drying Green, its activities have ranged from an open stage for local young musicians, fire engines, space-hopper races and fire-eating jugglers, to the annual Rotary Club race for 4,000 plastic ducks down the Allan Water. Gradually a 'Fringe Fling' has developed, featuring over the years everything from ghost walks, pub quizzes, plays from the local Drama Group, master classes in everything from fiddling or mandolins to harmony singing or bodhran, and the now-annual Thursday Jazz Night. Every year outstanding special events have been held for children, often featuring the fun of making and performing a play in a day or the extraordinary skills of the Armagh Rhymers.
