Royal Caledonian Ball

The ball dates to the 1840s, when George, Duke of Atholl, and his wife, Anne, wanted to entertain their Scottish friends residing in London. By 1849, it had become a fundraiser for Scottish charities helping vulnerable schoolchildren, the homeless, and cancer patients. The ball has been under the royal patronage since Edward VII. Since the 1930s, the event has been held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London. The Queen was often in attendance. ==Dance and dress==

The Royal Caledonian Ball dress code stipulates that male attendees wear Highland evening dress, evening tails with white tie, or mess dress. Women should wear floor-length evening dress or mess dress; tartan sashes are encouraged. Indeed, it was the only socially acceptable opportunity to wear full tartan outside Scotland. Traditionally, the Duke and Duchess of Atholl are the first couple to start the dance, followed by his private army, the Atholl Highlanders. ==Charities==

The ball supports numerous charities in Scotland and has raised an estimated £3 million since its inception. Among the charities the ball supports are Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, Erskine Hospital, and St Catherine’s Homeless Project in Edinburgh. ==References==