WELCOME TO An Entertainment Site for Scottish Country Dancers - Enjoy the curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
Irn Bru Day
May 6
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Irn-Bru gets you through!"
~ Irn Bru's motto
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more fittingly orange-and-blue beverage than Scotland’s beloved Irn Bru—named for the vivid orange of industrial iron girders and the proud blue of the Scottish flag. This bold and colorful refreshment pairs perfectly with the traditional Scottish dance known as Orange and Blue, a name that conjures lively reels, kilts in motion, and perhaps a bit of mystery.
The tune Orange and Blue has been danced to for over two centuries and appears in early 19th-century fiddle collections, including those by Nathaniel Gow. This orange and blue three couple strathspey has easy figures and finishes with an reel of three, making it easy to "get you thru" whether your pre-dance beverage is fizzy and carbonated or amber and aged. 😜
The title itself invites speculation. Some believe it refers to the traditional colors of the Ulster Protestants (orange) and Scotsmen (blue), while others point to political meanings—the orange of the Liberal Party and the blue of the Conservatives—or to fraternal organizations such as the Orange and True Blue Masonic Lodge! Whatever its origin, the name has endured, much like the enduring popularity of Irn Bru with its mysterious flavor and secret recipe. 🧡 🧡 💙 💙 💙 🥤 🥤 🥤
Orange and Blue
Irn-Bru, often hailed as Scotland's other national drink, next to whisky, boasts a rich and vibrant history that traces back to 1901. Originally launched under the name "Strachan’s Brew" by the Barr family in Falkirk, Scotland, the soft drink underwent a rebranding to "Iron Brew" in 1946. This was due to its original advertising slogan, "The High Standard Beverage," which emphasized its purported invigorating effects akin to the strength of iron. However, following a 1946 law requiring product names to be more literal and less misleading, the iconic beverage adopted the phonetic spelling "Irn-Bru" to retain its identity while adhering to the new regulations. This quirky spelling became synonymous with its bold, distinctive branding.
Over the decades, Irn-Bru established itself as a cultural icon in Scotland, known for its unique, fiercely guarded recipe that reputedly includes 32 secret ingredients and is known only to two members of the Barr family at any time. The drink's bright orange color and its complex, sweet flavor that hints at citrus and spices have endeared it to generations. Additionally, Irn-Bru has been noted for its cheeky and irreverent advertising campaigns that often play on Scottish humor and identity, further cementing its status not just as a beverage, but as a symbol of Scottish pride.
For more about this famous beverage, click its namesake tartan!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
