Some facts about ringing in Scotland:
- Scotland has 22 rings of bells, 20 of which are ringable (and we hope to improve on that)
- When people mention 'the Church' we say "which one?". We are a truly ecumenical ringing association:
- 9 Church of Scotland
- 6 Scottish Episcopal Church
- 4 secular or private rings
- 2 ecumenical chapels
- 1 Roman Catholic church
- Our single most effective recruitment strategy is adding a new tower. This means physical bell restoration is still very important to us.
- We have a membership of about 220, and the average meeting attendance is around 50.
- We are enthusiastic adapters of digital communications because of the obstacles of physical distance between the towers.
- We have entered a National team in the RW National Youth Striking Competition two years in a row, despite the team members travelling an average of 150 miles each to attend a practice.
- Many of our towers have had success using the Learn to Ring scheme.
- There is an active handbell band in most areas in Scotland.
- Some of our association training events in 2016 were:
- Annual training day in Tulloch, catering to all abilities
- Monthly 12-bell practices at St Mary's Edinburgh, catering to all abilities
- Monthly Advanced practices on 10 or 8 bells, alternating between West and East.
- An intensive Yorkshire and Stedman 12-bell weekend at Tulloch.
- Avon 12-bell weekend in Tulloch
- Three handbell days, each including open sessions for beginners.
- Regular youth practices.
- Conducting seminar held at Dumfries.