Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 7 > Ceilidhs

A guide to ceilidhs

Ceilidhs are traditional Scottish dances, and are often held to celebrate special occasions such as Hogmanay (New Year), St Andrew?s Day, Burns? Night and weddings.  However, no particular reason is needed to hold one and they are held all year across Scotland in many pubs and town halls.
 
What does the word ceilidh mean?

It?s Gaelic and means an informal get together.  Although it?s now more of a celebration event, the ceilidh originated in rural communities where neighbours would gather in a cottage and spend long winter nights in storyelling and song. It was a way of passing on traditions and folklore down the generations as well as keeping warm.

What do ceilidhs involve?

Most ceilidhs have a live band, with fiddles and accordions, and some also have drums, guitar and even a Clarsach (Scottish harp).

A selection of dances is held, usually including the most popular (and easy) ones such as The Gay Gordon?s, The Dashing White Sergeant and Strip the Willow. 

The dances are held in groups of different sizes (usually from two to eight people in each group) and are generally easy to pick up if you?re not familiar with them.  There are sometimes demonstrations before each dance to make sure everyone knows what they?re doing.

How do I learn the dances?

Most locals will be happy to teach you the steps, so there?s no excuse not to hit the floor.  However, if you want to get some practice before getting your dancing shoes on, the Edinburgh Scottish Dance Resource explains the most popular dances.

When and where are ceilidhs held?

There are ceilidhs held all over Scotland all year, and are particularly popular in the Islands.  Several rural pubs have regular events, such as The Lade Inn in Callender, Perthshire, which holds a ceilidh every Saturday night. 

Local farmers, stalkers and gamekeepers entertain with accordion, fiddle, bagpipes and any other instruments that brought along on the evening, and guests are welcome to join in.

For a more modern take on ceilidhs, the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh holds a weekly ?Ceilidh at the Caley? event with a mixture of traditional and modern music and dances. 

For further details of pubs holding regular ceilidhs and traditional Scottish music performances year round, see the Scottish Folk Directory.

Where can I go to a ceilidh on St Andrew?s Day?

A nationwide series of events has been co-ordinated to celebrate Scotland?s traditional music, song and dance, from Orkney to the Borders.

Hands up for Trad has details of where to go in each area to celebrate.

St Andrews itself is an obvious Mecca for festivities, with the St Andrews Week Celebrations.  This includes street entertainment, lots of ceilidhs and even a Food and Drink Fair.

There are even several ceilidhs held abroad if you?re not going to be in Scotland on the day, such as the St Andrew?s Ball in Florence, Italy on Sun 30th.

Anything else I should know?

Dancing in high heels, skirts or directly after eating is definitely to be avoided, and be prepared to feel a bit dizzy generally.  Other than that, a ceilidh is a great way to enjoy traditional Scottish culture and enjoying yourself is pretty much guaranteed.

Cottages relevant to this article

The following holiday cottages are situated within easy reach of the locations mentioned above: