Ceilidh Bands in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Scotland

Welcome to our Scottish Ceilidh Band page. Here is a small selection of the many exciting Ceilidh Bands we can provide for Weddings, Functions, and Parties in Scotland.

But we don't know the steps!

Many people worry that some of the guests will be left out because they don't know the steps to the Scottish Ceilidh Dances. However, exactly the reverse is true. Most of our Bands can provide a "Caller" who will go over the steps before each Dance and "Call"the steps during the Dance. This is part of the fun.

Won't some people be left out?

Ceilidh Dances (as opposed to strict, formal Scottish Country Dancing) can be considered even more inclusive than many other forms of dancing because the Dances are easy to learn and fun. Everyone can participate, regardless of age and experience.

So in this way, there is less chance of a single person or children (or a married person whose grumpy partner "won't dance") at a Wedding or Function being left out of the Dancing. Some Dances are for couples (with lots of changes of partners!) but many others are for groups of people. So everyone can participate!

Don't Worry!

So don't worry. With a good Band and Caller all your guests will soon be "hooching", "setting" and "casting off" with the best of them. And if they get it wrong, don't worry! That's also part of the fun and there will always be a friendly neighbour to "push" them in right direction. A Ceilidh is a gathering of folk where everyone is encouraged to join in and everyone helps one another. It's a great ice-breaker.

Hmm...aren't you over-selling this "Ceilidh" thing a little?

Yes! Being Scottish, we're obviously a "wee" bit biased, but we can assure you that Scottish Ceilidh Dancing is amoung the most exciting, exhilarating, and fun types of dancing in the World! It's fast, lively, and it doesn't matter if you've got two left feet or three! You'll dance as you've never danced before and think you've got wings on your heels!

Some Popular Scottish Ceilidh Dances

Here are some of the most common Ceilidh Dances in Scotland.

• Gay Gordons
• Dashing White Sergeant
• The Eightsome Reel
• St. Bernard's Waltz
• Strip the Willow
• Britannia Twostep
• Military Twostep
• Canadian or Highland Barn Dance
• Circassian Circle
• Pride of Erin Waltz
• Highland Scottische
• Orcadian (or Shetland) Strip the Willow
• Swedish Masquerade
• Virginia Reel

Booking from outside the UK?

Not a problem! We have extensive experience in arranging Bands for clients based in Europe, Canada, and the USA for Weddings and Functions being held in Scotland. We can help you every step of the way and supply you with Demo CDs or MP3s of Bands. At the planning stage, we will even put you in contact with the Band Leader so you can work out your exact requirements with him or her by telephone or email.

We are also experienced in supplying Function Bands and Ceilidh Bands for functions abroad. Indeed, we are always delighted to hear from Expats and Caledonian Societies from around the World and providing them with a reliable, and friendly service.

Whatever your requirements, contact us by telephone or email and we will try to help in whatever way we can.

We promise to go that extra mile to make your Function or Event a happy and successful one.

So why should we book a band through you?

Quite simply - we do all the work for you and safeguard your interests.

• We advise you on which bands are suitable and available for your function.
• We send you free Demo CDs.
• We arrange dates where you can go and see the band.
• We issue proper contracts to you and the band.
• We deal with deposits and receipts for you.
• We resolve any issues or problems that may arise.
• We check last-minute details to ensure all goes smoothly on the day.
• We use our considerable list of contacts to find you a suitable replacement band if the artistes cannot perform due to Acts of God or illness.
• We have booked bands regularly over twenty years.

In a nutshell, it gives you less hassle and more peace of mind than doing it yourself.

Our Featured Wedding and Function Bands

Our featured bands are all on this page. Please either scroll down the page to view them, or click on a band link below and you will be taken to that section of the page. At the bottom of each band section, there is a link saying "Back to top of the page" which will bring you back here again.

Hell For Leather
4 piece Ceilidh Band with Vocals, Guitars, Bagpipes, Mandolin/Tin Whistle, Bodhran (traditional celtic drum). Red-hot Ceilidh with Rock/Pop and disco, if required.

Fantoosh
3 piece Ceilidh Band with Piano, Fiddle, and Cello. Excellent Classy Ceilidh with some Jazz, Classical and contemporary Folk music, if required.

Sounds Braw
2-4 piece Ceilidh Band with Two Fiddles, Piano, and Drums. Ceilidh music only.

Alastair Wood Band
4 piece Ceilidh and Scottish Dance Band. Ceilidh and Modern music.

Calum Lowe Ceilidh Band
3 piece Ceilidh Band. Accordion, Fiddle and Drums. Can also provide Disco.

Hell For Leather - Ceilidh, Folk, and Rock

They say the Devil went down to Georgia to test a Fiddler...well he should have come to Scotland to test Hell For Leather. They would have danced the buckles off his shoes!

Featuring a high-energy fusion of Scottish, Folk, and Modern music, this four-piece band know how to wear out anyone's shoe-leather.

With an eclectic mix of Guitars, Mandolin/Tin Whistle, Highland Bagpipes, Bodhran (traditional celtic drum), and Vocals, your feet will never touch the ground during the dancing. You might also have to wipe a tear from your eyes during the gentler numbers.

The Six Nations

In 2005, The Magic Agency booked the band to appear at the Six Nations Rugby Championship at Murrayfield. Their appearance met with such sucess, they were whisked up to the V.I.P's box to give a special performance! Needles to say, the organisers asked them back for repeat performance.

Since then, they have appeared for The Magic Agency at venues, big and small, across Scotland - including Gleneagles Hotel, Our Dynamic Earth and The Lodge Loch Lomond.

They also met with great acclaim when we booked them to entertain the troops at The 40th Regiment Royal Artilley in North Yorkshire.

Hell for Leather is a great band for Weddings, Ceilidhs, and Concerts. In fact, any event where you want foot-tappingly, great music.

However, don't just take our word for it. Listen to the samples and see what you think. You won't be disappointed.

Just double-click on the link and it should start playing in Windows Media Player within ten seconds. If you are having trouble playing the MP3 see the Help section at the bottom of this page.

Hell For Leather Music Samples

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Fantoosh - Ceilidh, Jazz, Classical, Folk

Fantoosh are a trio of exceptional musicians who play their own contemporary arrangements of traditional, classical and jazz music. They are equally at home playing for concerts, ceilidhs and other special events, such as weddings and corporate functions.

Consisting of fiddle, cello, and piano, the band members all have a background in both traditional and classical styles. Fantoosh's music reflects their versatility as musicians as it combines influences from folk, jazz and classical styles.

They are equally at home playing for ceilidhs, wedding ceremonies, receptions and corporate events and will tailor their programme to your specific requirements.

Weddings

Fantoosh can offer music for the ceremony, music for the drinks reception or music for a Ceilidh in the evening. They also offer a complete wedding package providing music for the ceremony, reception, and evening ceilidh.

Graham can also play the organ if there is one at the venue you have chosen. If you have any special requests then Fantoosh will be happy to arrange them for you.

Drinks Receptions and Corporate Events

Fantoosh can provide a classy selection of jazz, classical, and contemporary folk as background music for drinks receptions and corporate events.

Ceilidhs

Fantoosh ceilidhs are fun, fast-paced and all the dances are called if required - the ideal format for parties and wedding receptions.

Fantoosh Music Samples

Just double-click on the link and it should start playing in Windows Media Player within ten seconds. If you are having trouble playing the MP3 see the Help section at the bottom of this page.

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Sounds Braw Ceilidh Band - with Caller and Disco

Sounds Braw is a lively and energetic Ceilidh Band with the emphasis very much on fun and entertainment.

Their normal line-up is two fiddles, electric piano, and drums. However, for smaller functions or wallets, they can also offer a two or three piece line-up i.e. fiddle, piano, and drums or fiddle and piano.

If required, Sounds Braw can also offer expert calling with the caller going onto the dance floor with his radio mike and demonstrating every dance (or just the harder ones).

You don't want Ceilidh music all evening? Then that's fine. At no extra charge, they can also provide a disco with lighting.

Wedding Reception? Birthday Party? Silver Wedding? Retirement Party? Charity Dance? Not a problem! Relax - Sounds Braw does it aw.

Sounds Braw Music Sample

Here is a short sample of their work.

Just double-click on the link and it should start playing in Windows Media Player within ten seconds. If you are having trouble playing the MP3 see the Help section at the bottom of this page.

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The Alastair Wood Ceilidh & Modern Band

Alastair and his band are well-known and respected in Ceilidh and Scottish Country Dancing circles in Scotland.

Whether providing traditional music for Ceilidhs or strict tempo for the more formal Scottish Country Dancing, Alastair and his lads know how to get everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.

His usual line-up is 4 or 5-piece with 2 accordions, fiddle, guitar and drums. Alastair's band is unusual in having a guitar instead of the more regular keyboard; however, this gives the Band a distinctive sound and a very wide repertoire.

The band appears regularly on the BBC Radio Scotland "Take the Floor" Scottish dance programme, and as well as playing at events up and down the country, has played in the Far East on a number of occasions for the St. Andrews Societies of Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia.

However, as well as performing Scottish music to very high standards, Alastair and the band can also provide Modern numbers ranging from Van Morrison to Robbie Williams and Barry White to The Blues Brothers!

So they can give you Ceilidh music for one half of the evening and Modern for the other half. - or any mix you want!

The lead vocalist has an excellent voice and performs songs by Barry White, Van Morrison, Roxy Music, Mavericks, Robbie Wiiliams...and more...with ease.

Quite simply, they are a great band with a very broad repertoire and very much in demand for Weddings, Ceilidhs, and Scottish Country Dance Clubs all over Scotland and abroad.

They are currently booked to perform for, and in honour of, the real Calender Girls (on which the hit film is based) in Harrowgate. Unfortunately for the band, the charming and demure ladies will be keeping their clothes on for this function...

Alastair Wood Music Samples

Here are some samples of their work.

It shows how this talented band can change from Ceilidh to Modern styles with compartitive ease. Compare them and hear for yourself.

Just double-click on the link and it should start playing in Windows Media Player within ten seconds. If you are having trouble playing the MP3 see the Help section at the bottom of this page.

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Calum Lowe Ceilidh Band with Caller

The Calum Lowe Band is an enthusiastic, high energy Scottish Ceilidh Band that never fails to make Ceilidhs a success.

The band's three-piece lineup consists of Accordion, Drums, and Caller.

Having a dedicated Caller in the band means they can demonstrate and call all the dances with ease. So, whether your guests are experienced or don't know the dances at all, you can rest assured that the band will be able to accommodate them and keep the dance-floor busy.

The band will also provide background music during intervals.

Whether you want jigs or reels, two steps or waltzes - they can play it! They are always energetic and great fun at any Wedding, Party, or Event.

Calum Lowe Music Samples

Just double-click on the link and it should start playing in Windows Media Player within ten seconds. You may have to press the "Play" button. If you are having trouble playing the MP3 see the Help section at the bottom of this page.

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