Bell Ringing is a sociable team musical activity that keeps you fit, stimulates the brain and makes a glorious sound. Ringers across Scotland range in age from 10 to 80+ and come from all walks of life.
Find out more below or contact us to hear about the opportunities nearest to where you live.
Could I become a ringer?
"Training takes place across Scotland"
Ringing is well within the capabilities of most people, if you can manage the stairs then you will be able to manage the bells. Training takes place across Scotland, the initial weeks will be spent learning how to ring a bell individually and then you'll begin ringing with others before eventually performing with your band.
"Practice, Perfect, Perform"
There are towers with bells all over Scotland, particularly in the major population centres, and we keep installing new ones. See our towers page to find your nearest bell tower and contact details to learn how to ring.
Why learn to ring?
- Team activity
- Network of friend across the world
- Maintain part of our heritage
- Physical and mental workout
- Lifelong learning experience
- See behind the scenes in churches
Change Ringing
Change ringing as an art form began during the 16th century when church bells were first fitted with a full wheel and swung until balanced upside down. This allowed the ringer to control the timing of their bell which allowed continuously evolving sequences of bells to be rung, and thus change ringing was born. The music that we ring is based on continuously altering the sequence in which each bell is rung, learning a few of these simple patterns allows you to join in with bell ringers all across the world.
"The music that we ring is based on continuously altering the sequence in which each bell is rung"