A St Andrews Fairytale

May Ball 2025 in Review

The end of another semester is just about coming into sight, bringing with it the return of a St Andrews staple: the Kate Kennedy Club’s annual May Ball. If you’re checking your calendar right now to be sure you haven’t skipped a month, fear not: changes to semester dates have resulted in May Ball 2025 — rather confusingly — being held on Friday 4 April. Whatever your opinions on St Andrews’ infamous not-so-secret-anymore society, Kate Kennedy have solidified their reputation as exceptional hosts. May Ball is an events calendar classic that promises to sign off each academic year with a night boasting as much sophistication as it does revelry. 

Anticipation was stirred by an Instagram marketing campaign that advertised the night as a medieval fairytale come true, complete with a castle setting. Considering the notoriously steep price tag on the night, with tickets ranging between £40-95, one would hope the evening lived up to the fantasy. 

The night got off to a strong start: the sound of bagpipe fanfare led the way to a much-welcomed champagne reception. Despite technically not being in Earlshall Castle, as the ticket advertised, the gazebo was adequately decked out to blend in with the extravagant location just a stone’s throw away. The blend of plush red drapery, twinkling fairy lights adorning the ceiling, chandeliers dotted throughout, and view of a sixteenth-century castle worked its magic to transform a plain tent into a fairytale setting for the night. 

Guests were not short of entertainment, having the choice between two rooms with a band apiece, as well as a third livening up the crowd outdoors (a welcome prospect for those waiting in the daunting queues for the bathrooms). A few rogue, but surprisingly great, additions to the setlist included renditions of The Strokes, Radiohead, and The Cranberries. These were welcome interruptions to the standard playlist of crowd-pleasers and 2010s anthems that every bop and ball appears to be sharing lately. 

Meanwhile, ceilidh band Super Grouse were doing their very best to keep a handle on the dancefloor, to no avail. What began as a rousing call to the dancefloor soon descended into an attempt to minimise Gay Gordons-related casualties. This came as a painful reminder that, unlike Scottish students, the rest of the world missed out on the crucial learning curve of school social dancing lessons — a fact that was not at all helped by the ever-growing pile of plastic champagne flutes being crushed underfoot, threatening anyone wearing open-toed heels. 

As the sun set, it appeared the clock was striking midnight on the May Ball fairytale. The hive of anticipation in the crowd simmered down to a restless shuffle across a lethargic dance floor in serious need of revival. Further dampening spirits was the frustratingly long line blocking all view of the bar, leaving many far more sober than they’d anticipated. Even if you plucked up the courage to stick it out in the free-for-all chaos of the queue, early shortages forced many to forgo their drink of choice. Some logistical difficulties did seem to plague the night from then on. Awkward gaps between performers’ sets left gaping holes of inactivity on the dance floor, and an insufficient number of unkempt bathroom facilities crafted excruciatingly long wait times. 

Ultimately, despite showing great promise, May Ball 2025 fell short of its own expectations. Kate Kennedy succeeded in creating a beautiful setting, and May Ball excelled in the details, building energy and vibes with their social media campaign and aesthetic experience, painting the picture of the perfect spring evening — complete with pastel gowns, bagpipes, and a summer breeze.  I’m sure many of us love to think we’re living out whatever Saltburn-esque Pinterest board fantasy we imagined university life would be when we’re draining our bank accounts on yet another ball. This fantasy is not without its charms; there will always be an allure to playing dress up and dancing the night away, fuelled by complimentary champagne. Let’s just hope future balls offer smoother sailing logistically and slightly less chaos when thinking back to what, exactly, you got for your £50.

Photo by Freddy Coughlin