
New Years’ Eve found about 30 or 40 of us gathered together at Highclere to dance and dine our way through to 2016. My parents were not particularly bothered and did not always stay up to see the New Year in which, as children, we always found rather disappointing. As a result I try to gather a good selection of friends together amidst laughter and Scottish reeling to mark the advent of another year.
I love reeling and organised many such evenings with various friends whilst at St Andrews University. If you combine that with being the eldest of six sisters as well as an ex- Paulina (a Girls’ Day School in London which my husband says only produces students who are all fairly bossy), you can understand that we were all going to reel, whatever each individual’s level of skill or ability. In fact it is, and was, the most enormous fun and no-one is left out, whatever their age.
The Saloon at the Castle is the perfect size for four Eightsomes or one long line for reels that need to go the length of the room. My mother-in- law joined in with the Dashing White Sergeant which was great fun and twice repeated. Others sat and watched as the dances proceeded. Sally was in charge of one Eightsome and lost time during the tea-pots which was very funny. Later I began dancing the Reel of the 51st with Tom and by the end was still standing despite his best efforts to spin me round at an ever greater rate. I was delighted to see him look quite tired too given he is training for the London Marathon.
After a late dinner, we were then ready with a glass of champagne to look forward to 2016 and feel thankful for all the challenges and memories of the previous year.
As a child I often wished lessons away or thought time would never pass and could not wait to change place or occupation. Today I find each year gallops past and, as there is always so much happening here, I just try to live in each day. Looking forwards, the newspapers are now full of New Year’s resolutions and I have tape recorded mine for WWSG, a speakers’ bureau I work with in the USA (you can also see this video on our Facebook page).
On reflection, I am glad that I made them all positive rather than restrictive (except for the one about promising my husband no more dogs). I don’t think I want to start New Year weighed down by more rules but think instead what I could do better. Enthusiasm, ideas, reflection and action. And I am, like many others here in the UK, looking forward to Spring and no rain!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I am Italian and I write to you from Milan. I work as a senior reinsurance broker and I am 56 year-old.
I started reading your posts since I discovered the existence of Downton Abbey TV series, loved the story and most of all the incredible scenario of the castle and got addicted to it, making myself a promise that before leaving this world I must come and see Highclere castle from real. I read about your reeling on New Year’s Eve, and I must admit you got me very jealous! i wish I could have been there, spinning around in an Eightsome and toast at 2016 with you and with a flute of my favourite sparkling champagne!
Should you ever be travelling to Milan, you can count on me for shopping hints, as I am also addicted to that also thanks to my daughter, who feeds my shopping greed with her studies (she is attending the Marangoni Institute in Milan, the most prestigious Fashion university where Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and many others have studied before).
Sincerely yours,
Patrizia
Happy Nee Year !! Beautiful gathering!
I will try to get tickets for when I am in Cambridge
In March . Like everyone I would love to visit your
Beautiful home .
We are open at the end on March – the dates are on the web site and there will be walk up tickets at the gate each day!
Happy New Year. Thank you for the lovely pictures of all of you having fun. Many blessings on 2016. From Austin , Texas with Love.
What a lovely evening you had!
The Castle looks beautiful at night with the tree lights and such a room!! Looks like everyone was having a great time… Happy 2016!
I continue to love seeing and hearing about your dogs. I would have a half dozen if my husband would fall into line. Sounds like you would understand that. The New Year brings a new semester with my University students and yet another chance to mold young minds. Planning on visiting in July when we visit the UK again. Anticipating the gardens and all of their majesty. Cheers.
I think my husband thinks we have enough dogs!!!
Happy New Year to all. I loved the episode of Downton when Lady Mary was pregnant, and was so disappointed that she couldn’t dance the Scottish reel, as it was her favorite. It seems Lady Carnarvon, that you are quite accomplished@Lady Mary’s favorite dance. The picture of you, in front of your gorgeous tree, w/the dogs lying about is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it, and of all the dancing!! Happy 2016
This looks like a delightful party! I love to read your website. Hope to visit someday. Happy New Year!
You look stunning in your gorgeous brocade jacket. A regal look indeed for your fairytale castle festive New Year’s. I don’t think seven happy dogs are too many. Looking forward to my Highclere visit in 2016. A very Happy New Year to you and Lord Carnarvon.
KALI XRONIA! A most Happy New Year to you and all at Highclere Castle!What wonderful, fun-loving photos of reeling in the Grand Hall! And a huge tree, too!Having seen the “Finale”, the final scene of the final episode of Downton Abbey,it too being New Year’s Eve in the Grand Hall and the Dowager saying:
“Makes me smile how every year we drink to the future,
whatever it may bring” …
I shall wish you all a most happy and prosperous future, whatever it may bring! (a few more puppies?)
(and perhaps the good fortune of yet another film crew coming in for “The Movie”?)
All the best!
You are right – we raised a qlass to 2016 but I live each day as it is, Downton has been something of a phenomenon!
A very Happy New Year to you and you family Lady Caenarvon. Thank you for making my 2015 memorable by opening your amazing home to visitors as I was fortunate to secure a ticket and was there April 1. The rainy day did not dampen my spirits for the visit and the tea certainly warmed us all up! That day, for me was a highlight of my year whilst we were living in London on a one and a half year work assignment. Now moved back and settled in our home once again, I look forward to your blogs and the day when I will return to visit Highclare on a drier day so as to take in the lovely garden. Take good care, L B
I love this entry to your blog!
I’ve never been New Years Eve reeling, but I think I would love it!
I’ve never been to your side of the pond, either but pretty sure I could have qualified to attend Paulina’s
( kinda bossy) lol.
Happy New Year to all in your splendid circle.
You would love it – it is great fun!
Happy New Year to all. We are so going to miss seeing your lovely home each week, but I love being a part of your website and seeing your post.
have a lovely new year lady carnarvon and family x
What great photos of your reeling on New Year’s Eve. I believe your reels are similar to American Square Dances which originated with Scottish settlers in the early days of our country; however, the music is definitely different. Nonetheless, great fun, especially when someone misses a beat. Have a happy and prosperous 2016.
Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing your wonderful New Year’s Eve at Highclere!
Am enjoying your blog and looking forward to coming to see Highclere in April for my second visit with my daughter this time.
A very Happy New Year to you and your family !
I love your photo with the dogs in front of thXmas tree !
They were all very good – they are becoming very used to cameras!
Enjoyed hearing about your celebration.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you!
Lady Carnarvon. Thank you tor sharing your New Year’s Eve party. This evoked many happy memories for me. I remember at a young age going to the French Club and my grandfather called the sets. I love going with my husband to attend a New Years Eve party with many of our friends. This is things which memories are made of. Happy and healthy New Years to you and yours.
J’ai visité votre château et je le trouve merveilleux, depuis, je pense comment serait-il de passer Noël ou Nouvel Ann dans le château. Maintenant, grâce à vous, je vois que vous avez eu un réveillon pour le Nouvel Ann, extraordinaire! Les lumières, le sapin, vous tous en train de danser, je trouve tout cela excellent! Je vous souhaite une très bonne année 2016 !!!! Et merci pour nous permettre de visiter le château.
Beautiful setting for a lovely party. I love the dogs in the pictures. I did miss seeing your beloved 1897 Steinway piano. I saw a PBS show that said you loved that piano. I too, have a 1896 restored Steinway that looks just like yours. Do you play the piano?
Dogs, party, elegant setting and casually dressed people = great party.
Happy New Year to you! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2016. Your home and tree look absolutely breathtaking. I hope to visit Highclere some day. Blessings ♡
May 2016 be a blessed year for you, your family, and your friends. It was great fun to look at your pictures and think of how enjoyable it would be to dance the year away in that grand hall. I love dancing and need to get back to taking some more ballroom dance lessons sometime. I’m sure the reels were very enjoyable for all involved.
I love the picture of you and the dogs by the tree – while I sympathize with your husband and his moratorium on more canines, I also think that what could just one more hurt things?? 😉
I love your approach to resolutions and while I didn’t make any official declarations for the new year, I have some things to work on, and approaching life with positivity and gratitude each day I am blessed to have another day here on Earth is top of the list.
I’m looking forward to your future posts, as usual, and thank you for sharing your New Year with us. Cheers!
Reeling is so nice because no-one is left out and everyone dance together..
Lady Carnarvon, Happy New Year too to you and family!
Love to read your blog and especially seeing Highcleire all decorated for Christmas.
Wishing you much happiness and good health.
And love your dog’s too.
God Bless you from Austin, Texas, USA
Judy
Lady Carnarvon, I too share you passion for reeling; I have fond memories of doing rather the same at winter dances in years gone by at my aunt’s house. There’s simply nothing more thrilling! Well, not much anyway. Happy new year!
What fun and what a beautiful setting. I really appreciate your sharing of the family events at Highclere. I’ll bet that Hall has seen many such events over it’s history. I’m just starting to re-read your books in preparation for my visit there in late May. Happy New Year!
Behind the fireplace lies an old medieval fireplace, and sometimes I can almost imagine esquires and stewards putting huge logs on the fire 700 years ago!
Looked to be a wonderful evening. The best way to welcome the New Year with family and good friends. Love all your beautiful dogs. I had wolfhounds when I lived in Uk and brought them to Luxor with me. Now I seem to collect cats and stray dogs outside. Linda Clymo
Happy New Year to you! I love the pictures you have of your home and of the dancing. My parents were never keen on having friends over for the New Year as well. Consequently, its made me a little shy in hosting a New Year’s get together, but you have inspired me. I think that will be one of my resolutions- to have more fun with family and friends!
I want to wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year. 2015 seemed to pass too quickly. I try to spend as much time as possible with family and friends. The days are long, but the years are short. Thank you for your blog entries. I really enjoyed your books.
Reeling! Looks like fun! I can see how the roots of American style square dancing orginated with the Scottish dances. So…was it live music too?
I totally agree about the time rushing off in such a hurry. You will find that as you get older(I am 64) it seems to rush by all that much faster! Cherish every moment! So nice to see you building up memories. They become so precious.
It was not live music – it works very well from a CD!
What I do not do enough is print out photos ..
Thank you for sharing once again. To yourself, The Earl, all your extended Family, and to all the staff at Highclere, I wish you all Good Health and Happiness for 2016. May each day be filled with joy and laughter.
Let us all hope that this year will bring PEACE to the world.
Take care, keep smiling and be happy.
Hi Lady Carnarvon
While I’m not one to celebrate New Years, I think I would change my mind if I could spend the hours reeling! It looks like such fun. It reminded me of an episode in Downton Abbey when they were reeling in Scotland. You promised your husband no more dogs, but you didn’t say anything about horses! LOL I didn’t make any restrictive resolutions this year either, just one that if I can’t say something nice about someone I won’t say anything at all. No use saying I won’ eat any chocolate or something silly like that! I am still planning a Downton Abbey tea in February, any suggestions for a good loose tea? What would you recommend?
Kind Regards
Mary Beth
I like Earl Grey tea. It is also supposed to be good for you!
I would just love to say that you have such a beautiful home. My husband and I look forward
to visiting next year. We will be celebrating our 34 anniversary, We would love to renew
our weddings vows at Highclere castle. Is that even possible?
I would also like to say may you have a very Blessed and prosperous New Year
Thank you so much for sharing! Happy and healthful New year to all of you in High Clere. And yes, the reeling reminded me of the Crawley family in Scotland with “Anna”… Also the Christmas tree and the dogs… Beautiful images. I wish I could travel to HIgh Clere one day… It is a dream for me and I realise it will never come true because of my age. But I still have the DVDs and your blog. So I can travel in imagination. Thank you again.
On my latest Blog I share the fact we have just released an APP – there is so much in it – do try it and let me know what you think
Dear Lady Carnavon,
Thank you for sharing the lovely photos from your New Year’s Eve celebration at Highclere Castle. What a special time for you and your husband, many friends and family members, and also the doggies.
I noticed one of the dogs under the Christmas tree, white in color. Did this dog play the part of Isis in Downton Abbey? Isis seemed like a very special pet in the series and able to play his/her part very well, and with a special connection to Lord Grantham.
I live a very long way across the pond, on the U.S. west coast, the Pacific Northwest, and I viewed the first episode of the final Sixth Season of Downton Abbey just last Sunday evening (Jan 3). The interior rooms used at Highclere look just wonderful in each of the scenes. It’s lovely to live with the characters again, both upstairs and downstairs, but there is also a sadness with each character because it’s a time of resolution for most of them.
I particularly enjoyed reading your book, “Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey,” the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, in which you tell the interesting story behind Highclere Castle, focused on the Edwardian Era on the brink of World War I. I especially liked that section of Julian Fellowes’s storyline that covers the time when Downton serves as a wartime convalescent home for recovering soldiers. And then comparing this with Almina’s real story when the house was, for a time during the war, a hospital. Such interesting reading. Now, I’ll read your book again and review again, in your Bibliography and Index, all the diaries, letters and photographs you used from the archives to develop this fascinating story about Lady Almina and Lord George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon.
It’s wonderful that you are able to maintain Highclere by sharing the estate at various times of the year with visitors from near and far. With warmest wishes for a joyous New Year 2016!
Myrna Murdock Oakley
Pacific Northwest U.S.A.
Dear Lady Carnarvon
We wish you and your loved ones the compliments of the Season and a happy year to come.
Over here we are desperate for rain.
Eight couples take it in turn to host New Year’s Eve and it was our turn again.
We have a tradition (German actually) that we watch “Dinner for One” on TV.
Even though we see it every year,we still laugh out loud and swear we saw something different this time.
The reeling looks fun,but unfortunately we would have to put the furniture in storage to make room.
Thank you for the interesting insight.
We are yet to see the final episodes of Downton Abbey in Australia so looking forward to that.
Cheers Jenni
I hope you enjoy the last series. I know some reeling clubs start here in village halls and that was how we started as students at St Andrews
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Firstly, a very Happy New Year and best wishes to you, your family, all the wonderful staff and volunteers at Highclere, fellow bloggers and loved ones.
Secondly, what a wonderful picture you painted of a joyous Hogmanay. (Forgive my potential mis-spelling or even misuse of the Scottish language and traditions.)
I assume that “the reeling” followed the redding” but preceded “the footing”.
Finally, I am reminded of this delightful Scottish poem that was posted on the Internet around a decade ago:
A guid New Year tae ane and a’,
An mony may ye see!
An durin aw the years tae come,
O happy may ye be!
An may ye ne’er hae cause tae murn,
Tae sigh or shed a tear!
Tae ane and a’, baith great and sma,
A hertie, Guid New Year!
Lang may yer lum reek!
Best wishes and fondest regards,
Jeffery Sewell
Thank you for the poem – we have a further Scottish event here at Highclere – as I am going to celebrate Burns Night. I very much enjoy the rituals , the procession behind the piper, the poem and the toasts..
Hi Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for such a lovely blog post this month–I’d love to see the reel dancing.
Coming to visit Highclere, and even getting to chat with you momentarily, was the highlight of my once in a lifetime visit to the UK last spring.
Thank you again,
Diana
Happy New year to you and your family Lady Carnarvon.
Have a great year. Thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful home Highclere Castle.
-Nim
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a lovely and lively New Year’s celebration and in such an amazing setting you enjoyed. We visited Highclere Castle a couple of years ago. I so enjoy imagining your activities in my memories of your home and gardens.
This year we were invited to a Downton Abbey New Year’s Eve party here in the U.S. I had the pleasure of being Lady Nichols for the evening. I wore my grandmother’s jewelry complete in castle attire. It was great fun. For New Year’s Day we enjoyed watching the Rose Parade. The PBS float of Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) was magnificent. I love flowers and gardening so I really appreciated the detail. It was a true honor to you and your family and the castle.
Thankyou for sharing your home and life with us. It has been so enjoyable for me and so many I know. It all came together for me after reading your book on the 5th Countess. I have a new love now for history.
Happy New Year to you and your family. With Downton coming to an end you have a new chapter beginning, a new adventure. May it be filled with much joy and many blessings!
With Kind Regards,
Melissa Nichols
I was so tickled to see you actually do reeling like in Downton. We had a Downton themed dinner party in December (in Des Moines, Iowa, USA) for my mother’s 75th birthday which included my 99 year old grandmother with dementia. She loved the tiara I placed on her head, the make up, and vintage jewelry. It was such great fun, we’ve vowed to an annual Dowton party! Can’t wait to add reeling next year, but will have to figure out how to do it (like Anna…lol).
God Bless and Happy New Year! We are Downton, as well as Highclere Castle fanatics. Thank you for opening up your home and making Downton possible. It’s been such a joy and something to look forward to every dreary Iowa winter. Much love…. the Larrisons
Dear Lady Carnarvon , first a very happy and healthy New Year to you and your family. I have just watched yor BAFA awards, on television. And it was wonderful. All the right award’s went to to all the right people, for making our last six years on Sunday. Night’s wonderful. But I must confess, that one award was left out, and that was the one that you and Lord Carnarvon and High Clere Castle should have received . With out your home, Downton would not have been the same. Thank you so much, for such a wonderful backdrop into a most splendid era. Desiree .
I so agree – thank you! The team here also worked really hard!
I am so pleased to see that you and your family still live in the Grand Style of your magnificent home. I am a Bostonian, but have always been a fan of the English country lifestyle, and so look forward to your blog reports.
One of my sons is working in London for the next couple of years, and I plan to visit next fall, but only if Highclere Castle is open for visitors at the time. Thank you for sharing with us, and Happy Happy New Year!
Susan L.
There are a few days in mid October – we have already sold tickets to those planning their trips so contact the office !
Happy new year it’s lovley to see the castle and everybody enjoying themselves I know my cousin ivy would have enjoyed getting everything ready in the kitchen for you she loved your family very dearly and your family were so kind to her I love seeing the garden once when I was small and your family was away aunty ivy let us have a pinic there xx
It’s wonderful getting to see how you welcomed in 2016, Lady Carnarvon. Since my husband and I made our to visit Highclere Castle on the last tour in October, we now have SO much fun when we are watching DA and we can say, “WE WERE THERE!!” and “WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THAT IS!!” One of my most favorite memories from that day is, after the tour was over and we were in your “backyard”, we ran into you and you told us you had JUST returned from your visit to Texas and your visit with the Bush family. You were so gracious to let my husband take a picture of us together and I’ve had so much fun sharing it with my friends. Our entire trip was built around THAT DAY and it will remain a highlight in my life always!!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2016!!
Happy new year to you and your family! I love that you were dancing (reeling) on New Years eve. Is reeling similar to the Irish Kaely dancing? Though I live in America, I have visited my family in Ireland, where I went Kaely dancing, and loved it! I’m enjoying reading your blog, and I love the photos of your many dogs. (I myself have 6 pets, and I also have a husband that has said “no more pets”.) One day, I hope to visit your lovely castle….
We still have a few of your aunt’s recipe! I hope she would have enjoyed the pleasure that Highclere gives people both virtually and when they are here.
Thankyou for lovley reply xx
I have read and very much enjoyed both of your books about the castle and Lady Almina and Lady Catherine. I am also happy to have discovered this blog so I can continue to read more about the continuing adventures at Highclere. In Virginia, USA, we dance the Virginia Reel. I also have a large family. The many siblings always have a practice dance partner. We frequently dance Reels here in the summer time, outside, and in farmer’s barns. We also call it square dancing. I am happy to see the Castle and grounds are very busy. Maybe someday I will be able to come out and see your beautiful Castle.
. What a wonderful setting for New Year’s eve. Heaven!
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.