This was the most popular show on tv in the irish republic in the 60's before RTE got going. My gran loved it. It shows how close our two countries are.
Thanks for posting this. My Mom was one of the white heather dancers and it brings back good memories. Would love to see more episodes but I'm afraid they're lost to the mists of time.
Please don't be too harsh on genuine entertainment and talent, maybe there isn't any technological wizardry and it is not music to everyone's taste but it is well meant and for some of us who weren't around when this was first aired, it makes a warm and refreshing image compared to the plastic tripe poured out nowadays. This is like a grand house party being filmed rather than a 'TV show' in today's style. Andy Stewart doesn't hog the show but is a good mc for the different party pieces. This is part of Scotland's heritage.
Well stated Gavin!My dad was from Glasgow(the old Frazer Street tenements)and every New Year's Eve we would watch Andy Stewart's run up to the new year.People forget that our parents had just lived through WW2 and things were not easy,This is the music of our parents generation and should not be scoffed at.Billy Connolly used these songs for a cheap laugh in one of his stand up routines and I have never watched him since.
allanharkins51 I was raised on all of this in the 70s and 80s and never understand the cynical sneering at this musical heritage. I wish those people would be a little more thoughtful and considerate of others. As you say, it's amazing to think WW2 was only 20 years in the past when this was aired. It was a much more gentle age before people were deaved with so much of the junk which produces the ignorant comments seen elsewhere on these videos.
Hogmanay was hogmanay in 5 poo s 60s when I was born TV nowadays is total crap as for BBC its useless picking programmes. Anytime of year we're paying money for crap on TV all Yr round Xmas is full of repeats we've seen all Yr round couldn't pick a tissue to blow there nose
i loved watching this show with my Grandmother when i was a kid, i loved hearing her sing the songs to me and i would spend a lot of the week Scottish dancing around.
This brings back so many memories from my home in London. When the BBC announcer said that they were going to their studios in Scotland for the next programme. The groans from my father, my mother went off to do the ironing and I got involved with my homework. Quite nostalgic now. Did anybody enjoy this programme?
My family and friends thoroughly enjoyed it and looked forward to watching it each week. Andy Stewart was a wonderful presenter and Scottish country dancing is very pleasing to watch. And no I am not a psychiatric patient but well educated (first class honours and PhD). Many people throughout Scotland and England watched it with great pleasure. If you don't get it then i feel sorry for you.
Even if this isn't your taste in music, you have to admire it for it's historical value considering how much early British television was lost when the BBC purged their tapes many years ago. That someone still had a copy of this so many years later, even if it is poor quality, is amazing in itself.
After having to move (sadly) to England from Scotland in 1966, The White Heather Club was something I looked forward to as a kid to remind me of my home :((
I loved Scottish Country Dancing from an early age, and was in a few demonstration teams. I also became a competitive Highland dancer, despite being English ;-)
@@sapper82 not as far as I'm aware. Galashiels Hoggs, related to Hogg & Robinson's mill and Hogg's Quantity Surveyor, if you go back a generation or two.
@@louisehogg8472 Fair enough! Though, as with many Borders families, both sides not just the Scots, trace similar names back far enough and there'll be a link. The main reason I asked is that Ian Hogg had a daughter who, if my memory (reaching back 55 years) is correct, may have been called Louise!
Haha, from my childhood I remember the White Heather Club on Saturday night TV. My father, a rather cynical Aberdonian, couldn't stick it at any price. In contrast, my Welsh mother quite liked it. For me now, it just brings back memories of a kinder, more innocent age.
No, there is nothing like a bit of nostalgia. At present, my Scottish spirit has been revived with the help of the Glaswegian actor, Douglas Henshall. After all, I am a Johnston and some of my antecedents came from Annandale on my Dad's side of the family.
This is the Only time i have ever seen or heard Bobby Macleod and is band live and it really a shame because Bobby was a great man and he should have made more television appearances.
I've never learned the Petronella. Watching that, is there a Strathspey section in it? Looked like a couple of Strathspey travelling steps and setting steps in there? I'm well impressed that they found a dozen men who could Strathspey. I know this is a stereotype, but most men lack balance and are very clumsy at Strathspey. Lots of lift in the band too. No reliance on over amplification, excessive speed, or bass beats.
When I was a kid that's what passed for entertainment... that and The Black and White Minstrel Show. Could never understand why Jimmy Shand always looked so pissed off. Oh I forgot.. The Billy Cotton Band Show. No wonder my generation are so eccentric.
Scottish culture seems to get a love or hate reaction here in the U.S. also. Me personally I love this stuff, but know people who can't stand the bagpipes, for example. Sort of seems like a Scottish Lawrence Welk Show, which again is a love or hate thing. If you grew up on it, though, you like it.
It's all in the point of view, I guess. Me personally I think they're dancing (seems like maybe prancing is a subset of dancing?), and also IMHO they are wearing kilts, not skirts... and I actually think the music is great with some nice melodies, so.... Not for everyone, though, you are right. Plus they have some skoits sing nice songs once in a while (not sure if it is on this particular one, though) which is nice as well. =)
@@a_wise_young_man752 ..... *NEMO . ME . IMPUNE . LACESSIT* !!! Maybe you should try saying this into the face of a member of *H.M. Regiments of Scotland* , that they are wearing "skirts" !!! Let's see, if you would still have all your teeth ... L0L ( *1 Co. 15:1-4 [kjb]* )
How did Scotland go from this to the Socialist backwater it is today? What has happened to the Scots? Why do they have no talented entertainers like these nowadays?
Good point - and you can see the public response from the condemnation this receives even in the comments here. People have forgotten how to have fun and don't know that they only criticise themselves, unless they're rootless, which is never a good position to be in. Self loathing as a nation is suicidal, at odds with a country that seems to want independence with increasing thirst.
Tbf we were MORE socialist then! At that time BOTH my parents' families had moved to the secure, affordable luxury of Council Housing. With electricity, bathrooms, and their own bedrooms. One parent was teaching in the no-longer-preferential-entry-for-private-school-educated system. While the other was helping build secondary schools to cope with a rising leaving-age. Having themselves benefitted from Local Authority Educational Maintenance grants. Making them the first generation to receive higher education. We still have talented entertainers. It's just that mainstream media prefer pumping out narcissistic garbage aimed at the lowest common denominator.
Does Jimmy Shand ever smile? Only time I watched it for more than 5 mins was Hogmanay to see various Scottish actors turn up pissed! I'm afraid to me it was on a par with The Black and White Minstrel Show. Unwatchable. I can understand why a lot of Scots didn't like it.
Guy at work in his 60s was talking about how bad TV used to be, and this was mentioned. He hated the terrible scottishness of it all. I now see what he means. Thank god I wasn't born until the 70s!
TV was new - in Scotland, very new. They were pioneers - anything better was built on this so worthwhile thinking about the foundations when you see what it has turned into now, if it is really so good these days. I don't think so - this was simple and accessible to the man in the street, not so today with millionaires spouting rubbish.
Brings back my childhood, watching this about 5 yo, loved Andy Stewart. Mum bought me his Donald Where's yer Trewsers record lol :D
This was the most popular show on tv in the irish republic in the 60's before RTE got going. My gran loved it. It shows how close our two countries are.
Thanks for posting this. My Mom was one of the white heather dancers and it brings back good memories. Would love to see more episodes but I'm afraid they're lost to the mists of time.
Memories, sat on my nana's knee watching this show :-)
Please don't be too harsh on genuine entertainment and talent, maybe there isn't any technological wizardry and it is not music to everyone's taste but it is well meant and for some of us who weren't around when this was first aired, it makes a warm and refreshing image compared to the plastic tripe poured out nowadays. This is like a grand house party being filmed rather than a 'TV show' in today's style. Andy Stewart doesn't hog the show but is a good mc for the different party pieces. This is part of Scotland's heritage.
Well stated Gavin!My dad was from Glasgow(the old Frazer Street tenements)and every New Year's Eve we would watch Andy Stewart's run up to the new year.People forget that our parents had just lived through WW2 and things were not easy,This is the music of our parents generation and should not be scoffed at.Billy Connolly used these songs for a cheap laugh in one of his stand up routines and I have never watched him since.
allanharkins51 I was raised on all of this in the 70s and 80s and never understand the cynical sneering at this musical heritage. I wish those people would be a little more thoughtful and considerate of others. As you say, it's amazing to think WW2 was only 20 years in the past when this was aired. It was a much more gentle age before people were deaved with so much of the junk which produces the ignorant comments seen elsewhere on these videos.
Gavin Millar b
Reminds me of many happy new years growing up in Scotland.
Hogmanay was hogmanay in 5 poo s 60s when I was born TV nowadays is total crap as for BBC its useless picking programmes. Anytime of year we're paying money for crap on TV all Yr round Xmas is full of repeats we've seen all Yr round couldn't pick a tissue to blow there nose
This was and always be a show I loved then and still do Andy Stewart was a great man brings back so many good memories
A complete arse -----------nasty little get
i loved watching this show with my Grandmother when i was a kid, i loved hearing her sing the songs to me and i would spend a lot of the week Scottish dancing around.
This brings back so many memories from my home in London. When the BBC announcer said that they were going to their studios in Scotland for the next programme. The groans from my father, my mother went off to do the ironing and I got involved with my homework. Quite nostalgic now. Did anybody enjoy this programme?
Just a few psychiatric patients, that's all.
I used to enjoy it, it was good decent entertainment
When I was a very little girl, this and Bewitched were my favourite programmes!. Donald where's your troosers?!
My family and friends thoroughly enjoyed it and looked forward to watching it each week. Andy Stewart was a wonderful presenter and Scottish country dancing is very pleasing to watch. And no I am not a psychiatric patient but well educated (first class honours and PhD). Many people throughout Scotland and England watched it with great pleasure. If you don't get it then i feel sorry for you.
Even if this isn't your taste in music, you have to admire it for it's historical value considering how much early British television was lost when the BBC purged their tapes many years ago. That someone still had a copy of this so many years later, even if it is poor quality, is amazing in itself.
The BBC did not purge their tapes. They did not start an archive until 1976.
Great stuff
Wonderful nostalgic video, thanks.
I am very happy to watch this nostalgic and wonderful program even in Japan now.
Absolutely marvellous
Andy Stewart is missed by many on News years Eve as he sang his popular songs to let the new year in. As an English Man, I would love to wear a kilt.
There is nothing wrong with the wearing of the Kilt and as a Scotsman myself I prefair to wear it at New year's time and parties.
After having to move (sadly) to England from Scotland in 1966, The White Heather Club was something I looked forward to as a kid to remind me of my home :((
My mother used to watch for the same reason, and we all grew up with this.
Excellent remember it fondly
I grew up watching this, one of my favourites.
Och...I loved this show back in the day... along with The Black and White Minstels....Real entertInment
Back to the late 50s ,in Aberdeenshire, Fifeshire,my homeland
When I see the 'White Heather Club' I can't help thinking of Frank Spencer "hello goodbye, hello goodbye"
Loved this at Hogmanay when I was a child. Jimmy Stewart and Jimmy shand
A rather delightful dip into nostalgia
For a certain generation of Scots- "My Granny's favourite programme."
My mum used to watch Andy Williams on TV....way back.
I have a feeling you mean Andy Stewart, Andy Williams was an American singer.
The dancing at the village do's I went to was never as smooth at that!
They're competition standard.
I loved Scottish Country Dancing from an early age, and was in a few demonstration teams. I also became a competitive Highland dancer, despite being English ;-)
@@louisehogg8472 Not related to Ian Hogg, late History Teacher of Glendale Sec. Mod. School Wooler by any chance?
@@sapper82 not as far as I'm aware. Galashiels Hoggs, related to Hogg & Robinson's mill and Hogg's Quantity Surveyor, if you go back a generation or two.
@@louisehogg8472 Fair enough!
Though, as with many Borders families, both sides not just the Scots, trace similar names back far enough and there'll be a link.
The main reason I asked is that Ian Hogg had a daughter who, if my memory (reaching back 55 years) is correct, may have been called Louise!
Haha, from my childhood I remember the White Heather Club on Saturday night TV. My father, a rather cynical Aberdonian, couldn't stick it at any price. In contrast, my Welsh mother quite liked it.
For me now, it just brings back memories of a kinder, more innocent age.
I really enjoy this--is there something wrong with me?
No, there is nothing like a bit of nostalgia. At present, my Scottish spirit has been revived with the help of the Glaswegian actor, Douglas Henshall. After all, I am a Johnston and some of my antecedents came from Annandale on my Dad's side of the family.
Makes Brigadoon look tame stuff but by 1960 BBC Scotland had stopped telling the audience stop hooching ! And you see how spectacular it worked !
was born and bred with this real culture, North East Scotland
Never mind. I'm sure there's a good psychiatrist nearby that can help you get over it.
A_Wise_Young_Man typical Pom.
Me too, love it.
Lovely dancing
@sailordskx Hi Thanks for that. Rare footage indeed of the Maestro. Somebody out there must surely have some clips they can put up here.......
I've just found my late uncle in this video!
Dancing?
Better than strictly come dancing??
This is the Only time i have ever seen or heard Bobby Macleod and is band live and it really a shame because Bobby was a great man and he should have made more television appearances.
I like the lack of 15 minutes narcissistic waffle between items. And dancing to that level takes years of practice and daily exercises. Nice.
Every new years eve in the 1960s we go over life to the white Heather club for hogmanay
I've never learned the Petronella. Watching that, is there a Strathspey section in it? Looked like a couple of Strathspey travelling steps and setting steps in there? I'm well impressed that they found a dozen men who could Strathspey. I know this is a stereotype, but most men lack balance and are very clumsy at Strathspey.
Lots of lift in the band too. No reliance on over amplification, excessive speed, or bass beats.
Andy Stewart rox
The pride of Aberdeen Ann and Lara Brand.
I,ve an exceedingly- rare fisher songs 7 inch e.p. of them.As rare as hens teeth.
I have a feeling that the smaller of the two Ronnies did a bit of a send up of this show.
Jimmy Sturgeon and Salmond dancing!
Loved this Lauren dem wir da days???
When I was a kid that's what passed for entertainment... that and The Black and White Minstrel Show. Could never understand why Jimmy Shand always looked so pissed off. Oh I forgot.. The Billy Cotton Band Show. No wonder my generation are so eccentric.
Whats the first song that auld Andy Stewart sings?
This looks like the Scottish equivalent of the Lawrence Welk Show.
Hullo. Put yer hauns up yer wheecht for Hairry McLeodrie.
If I'm not mistaken that's Bobby Macleod's band and he's got two 'second box' players whom I can't make out .....ideas, anyone!
No mistake this is the great Bobby McLeod Band - I knew Bobby very well.
Heard average white band was from Scotland too?
Denise Banham
What is the name of the First song that Andy Stewart sings ?.
Come in, come in, it'x nice to see you.
They should bring back the work mens clubs sorry and woman’s
Scottish culture seems to get a love or hate reaction here in the U.S. also. Me personally I love this stuff, but know people who can't stand the bagpipes, for example.
Sort of seems like a Scottish Lawrence Welk Show, which again is a love or hate thing. If you grew up on it, though, you like it.
Cease gu brath , Alba gu brath!
'Alba gu brath' I figured out what it means. What does 'Cease' mean? Thanks.
If you like antiquated men prancing around in skirts while singing weird ditties, this is the life for you.
It's all in the point of view, I guess.
Me personally I think they're dancing (seems like maybe prancing is a subset of dancing?), and also IMHO they are wearing kilts, not skirts... and I actually think the music is great with some nice melodies, so.... Not for everyone, though, you are right.
Plus they have some skoits sing nice songs once in a while (not sure if it is on this particular one, though) which is nice as well. =)
@@a_wise_young_man752 ..... *NEMO . ME . IMPUNE . LACESSIT* !!!
Maybe you should try saying this into the face of a member of *H.M. Regiments of Scotland* , that they are wearing "skirts" !!!
Let's see, if you would still have all your teeth ... L0L ( *1 Co. 15:1-4 [kjb]* )
🏴
How did Scotland go from this to the Socialist backwater it is today? What has happened to the Scots? Why do they have no talented entertainers like these nowadays?
Good point - and you can see the public response from the condemnation this receives even in the comments here. People have forgotten how to have fun and don't know that they only criticise themselves, unless they're rootless, which is never a good position to be in. Self loathing as a nation is suicidal, at odds with a country that seems to want independence with increasing thirst.
Tbf we were MORE socialist then!
At that time BOTH my parents' families had moved to the secure, affordable luxury of Council Housing. With electricity, bathrooms, and their own bedrooms.
One parent was teaching in the no-longer-preferential-entry-for-private-school-educated system. While the other was helping build secondary schools to cope with a rising leaving-age.
Having themselves benefitted from Local Authority Educational Maintenance grants. Making them the first generation to receive higher education.
We still have talented entertainers. It's just that mainstream media prefer pumping out narcissistic garbage aimed at the lowest common denominator.
Lovely
No obesity in these days
Sam your mum.is the blonde of course at 17.
Christ.
Does Jimmy Shand ever smile? Only time I watched it for more than 5 mins was Hogmanay to see various Scottish actors turn up pissed! I'm afraid to me it was on a par with The Black and White Minstrel Show. Unwatchable. I can understand why a lot of Scots didn't like it.
Guy at work in his 60s was talking about how bad TV used to be, and this was mentioned. He hated the terrible scottishness of it all.
I now see what he means. Thank god I wasn't born until the 70s!
TV was new - in Scotland, very new. They were pioneers - anything better was built on this so worthwhile thinking about the foundations when you see what it has turned into now, if it is really so good these days. I don't think so - this was simple and accessible to the man in the street, not so today with millionaires spouting rubbish.
laura Brand ooops i,m as bad a speller as that man !