The Highlanders celebrated their 90th anniversary recently in Skelmorlie.

Members enjoyed a dinner and entertainment by "The Urban Folkers" and it was especially pleasing to see so many people come along to join in the celebrations.

The Skelmorlie and District Highland Association, to give The Highlanders their official name, was founded in 1928.

It was set up to give the many Highland maids who worked in the "big houses" of Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay at that time, an opportunity to meet socially, share a common culture and most importantly speak in their native Gaelic tongue.

In the early years, ceilidhs, Burns suppers, whist drives and Fiddlers` Rallies were some of the regular items on the syllabus.

Some members came from Largs, thinking nothing of walking back home at the end of the night.

The annual formal dinner dance was held in the now demolished Hydro Hotel.

As the years have passed, a summer bus outing has taken people all over Scotland, to as far as Aberdeen and one year over the border to Carlisle.

Raising money for charity has become an important part with an average of £1600 being donated each year to a variety of worthwhile causes like CHAS, RNLI, MS Society, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Inverclyde Foodbank to name but a few.

This is only possible thanks to those who attend the functions and buy raffles and the committee who provide the legendary Highlanders` Supper.

Many visitors from abroad have enjoyed the delights of a ceilidh and dancing "Strip the Willow".

Everyone is welcome to join in and take part.

Visit www.thehighlanders.net for more details.