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What is a Ceilidh


In the strictest sense,  a ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee) is just any form of gathering (it is the Gaelic word for 'visit').  However, when used in English, it usually specifically refers to a gathering for couple and set dances.  While many Scots know the dances already,  as we learn then in school, many Scots do not and most who have not grown up in Scotland don't.  That's no problem! A ceilidh also has a 'caller' who walks you through the dances and gives you prompts.  This means that EVERYONE can join in, whether you know the dances or not.  There's no pressure to be "good", and it's all a bit of fun - and usually a bit of chaos.  A ceilidh band often comprises various traditional instruments, such as bodhrans, fiddles, tin whistles, flutes and pipes.  Sometimes they also include more modern instruments such as cajons and guitars.  A wedding, as well as  a ceilidh, often finishes off with all guests singing Loch Lomond and/or Auld Lang Syne.


Please note that our ceilidh will be gender neutral, and involve gender neutral calling.  Traditionally, there's a  "men's role" and a "women's role" in the dance, but this can be roughly translated to working better when you consider it in terms of height.  Where the videos below  show gendered roles, switch the men's role for the taller role, and the women's roll for the shorter role

Want to see what it involves? Here are some walkthroughs of the common dances.

Gay Gordons (couple dance)

Dashing White Sergeant (trios, progressive)

Strip the Willow (set of 4 couples)

Orcadian Strip the Willow (long line of couples)

Circassian Circle (couple dance, can be progressive)

Canadian Barn Dance (couple dance, can be progressive)

Cumberland Square Eight (set of 4 couples)

Eightsome Reel (set of 4 couples)

Flying Scotsman (set of 4 couples)

Highland Scottische (couple dance)

Military Twostep (couple's dance)

Virginia Reel (set of 4 couples)

St. Bernard's Waltz (couple's dance)

The Sausage Machine (set of 4 couples)

Duke of Perth (set of 4 couples)

Common Dances

Find information and a video on each of the common dances.

End of the Night

At the end of the night, a ceilidh or a wedding both usually end with either Loch Lomond or Auld Lang Syne (or very occasionally, both!) You're not expected to know the lyrics, but some usually do.  For movement, just follow everyone around you and you'll be fine!