QUEH 'Stroke'

Added on 29 October 2025

Stroke Rehabilitation Unit QEUH

Scottish Country Dancing with cowboy hats!

We were pleased to be invited on 16 October 2025 to provide some entertainment for stroke rehabilitation patients at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital following a recommendation to their activities organisers by a group we had visited some time ago.  On arrival at the day room where we were to dance, there was consternation amongst the dancers as one of the organisers and a number of patients were sporting pink cowboy hats!  They apparently were expecting Country Dancers but not Scottish Country Dancers.

However, there was no harm done for as soon as Billy started playing his accordion, the audience got into the spirit of the afternoon.  Our programme consisted of Irish Rover, Shiftin’ Bobbins, Amazing Grace Strathspey, Good Hearted Glasgow, Ravens Dance and Mairi’s Wedding.  To give the dancers a breather, Anne recited the poem ‘Old Friends’ by Pat Batt which highlighted how Scottish Country Dancing brought together people who otherwise would probably not have met and Billy played a few waltz tunes.  The afternoon was pronounced a great success by the staff with a promise to invite us back.

It was a real privilege to be invited to bring a brief respite to a group of people who daily face the challenge of recovering from a stroke.  

This would not have been possible without dancers Susan, Gale, Douglas, Ina, Ian, Hilary, Lyndsey and Anne and our accordionist, Billy.  Thanks also to Susan for hosting our practice beforehand.  

Anne Murray