News
Sun 18th July, 2010. I've added another ceilidh chart, comparing the number of ceilidhs per month this year to last year. This chart updates dynamically as ceilidhs are added to the diary.
Mon 5th July, 2010.
I've added a new ceilidh charts page that shows interesting insights into
ceilidhs over the years. I'll be adding more charts very soon, but the first one is up. They all update automatically
as time goes on. There's a permanent link to the charts page on the diary page.
You can also click on the little chart image to get to it, such as the one on the right.
Fri 18th June, 2010. I found some nice pictures and videos online from a recent Assembly Rooms ceilidh with the Thunderdog Ceilidh Band. Euan & Stefan are looking good in the first video, doing the Dashing White Sergeant as a four ;-) Note: you can view the videos in high definition by clicking on "HD" at the bottom right of the video player.
Fri 18th June, 2010. Whatever happened to the Cutting Edge? The Cutting Edge Band is one of my favourites. I've not heard of them playing at any public ceilidhs since the Caledonian Brewery decided they'd rather store beer than run ceilidhs. However, they have been spotted as recently as Jan 2009, as this YouTube video shows. For me they represent the best of modern, up-to-date ceilidh sound. Have a listen - they really are good! It starts as the familiar traditional Dashing White Sergeant but keep listening as they progressively become more and more samba. Absolutely fantastic to dance to! I just wish they'd be booked for public events. For any ceilidh organisers reading this: please book this band!
Thu 10th June, 2010. Added an RSS feed to the ceilidh diary. Now you can be notified in your newsreader when a new ceilidh is added. You'll need a news feed aggregator but there are so many to choose from these days. Most browsers can display news, or you can use an online reader such as Google Reader or, my personal favourite, FeedDemon.
Sun 6th June, 2010. MikesCommunity 2.0 is now live! Testing was very successful so the old site was retired and replaced by this one on Sunday 6th June 2010. Please send your comments about the new site and your suggestions on what you'd like to see here, etc., to Mike by clicking on contact above.
Upcoming Ceilidhs
The following ceilidhs are coming up in the next few weeks. Have a look at the diary to see all future events. And remember, anyone can submit ceilidhs to the diary!
July 2025
Wed 16th, Gordon Shand SDB with dance caller Sheila McCutcheon, Linlithgow Palace open air - The Great Hall, 7:30pm-10:15pm, £13.00, organised by Linlithgow Scotch Hop, email: ScotchHopCommittee@Gmail.com. Scottish dancing for ALL, Linlithgow Palace open air (or alternative wet weather venue Low Port Centre opposite Tesco). Lively, friendly & fun - great Scottish bands. Wednesdays 7:30pm until dark. On-line tickets now available from: https://scotchhop.org.uk/
Wed 16th, Cadjers Ceilidh Band, British Legion Hall, 33 Rodney Street, Edinburgh EH7 4EL, 8.00pm-10.30pm, £10.00, organised by Edinburgh 'Open House' Ceilidh Events, email: cadjersband@gmail.com. Traditional Ceilidh. Great Fun Night. No Need to Book - Pay at the Door (Cash only for Bar & Entry). Live Band with Caller. Licenced Bar. Suitable for age 10yrs+. Doors Open 7.30pm. Facebook: Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs
Thu 17th, Dunedin Festival Band, Mary Erskine School Hall, Ravelston Dykes, Edinburgh EH4 3NT, 7:30pm-11pm, £22.00 (£17.00 concession), organised by Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival, email: enquiries@dunedinDancers.org.uk, tel: 07951918366. 27th Dunedin International Folk Dance Festival 17 -20th July 2025 featuring musicians and dancers from Scotland: Dunedin Dancers & Edinburgh University New Scotland Dance Society; France - Les Pierrots de la Vallee and Hungary- Csata Tancegyuttes. Edinburgh Gala Opening Performance + Ceilidh 7:30pm MESG indoor event. Performance 7:30pm - 9:45pm then enjoy some ceilidh/social dancing until 11pm. Bar & snacks available. Tickets £5 for under 18s. Full price £22/£17 concession. Book through Eventbrite - you can turn up on the day but if they are fully booked they may not be able to grant admission. Open Air: Friday 18th 2:30 - 4pm Scottish Parliament outside EH1 1RN FREE; Saturday 19th St Andrews Square FREE EH2 2PA; Sunday 20th Stirling Castle 1:30 - 3:30-pm Queen Anne Gardens* - admission required to Castle HES/£22.50/£16.50/£12.50 or cheaper family options available on-line. More info www.DunedinDancers.org.uk
Fri 18th, Cadjers Ceilidh Band, British Legion Hall, 33 Rodney Street, Edinburgh EH7 4EL, 8.00pm-10.30pm, £10.00, organised by Edinburgh 'Open House' Ceilidh Events, email: cadjersband@gmail.com. Traditional Ceilidh. Great Fun Night. No Need to Book - Pay at the Door (Cash only for Bar & Entry). Live Band with Caller. Licenced Bar. Suitable for age 10yrs+. Doors Open 7.30pm. Facebook: Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs
Sat 19th, Laldie Ceilidh featuring Da Hooley Ceilidh Band, Saughton Park Courtyard, 4pm-7pm, £14.00, organised by Patrick Steuart, email: pksteuart@gmail.com, tel: 07717290760. Back for 2025 - the first of two high-energy open-air ceilidhs at Edinburgh's Saughton Park, with a bonus free class for beginners included. This is energetic traditional Scottish ceilidh dancing on a Saturday afternoon. A Laldie Ceilidh is intense, relentless and sweaty traditional dance fun. Our July and August events are probably the only open-air public ceilidhs in Edinburgh this year. This is suitable for all fun-loving people, including first-timers. Beginners are invited to come early for a half-hour class in ceilidh basics at 3.30pm (free with event ticket). All ages and all abilities are welcome. You don't need to do the dances "right", you just have to be ready to give it a try (and ready for a laugh). We demonstrate, practice and call dances to suit the overall crowd on the day - and there are always experienced dancers to follow. Come along in a group, come along with a partner, come along on your own - there are lots of opportunities for mixing and dancing with other people. That's part of ceilidh culture.... Doors open 3.15pm. Beginners class 3.30 - 4pm. Ceilidh dancing 4pm - 7pm.... Tickets and more details at Eventbrite:.... https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-air-laldie-ceilidh-with-da-hooley-ceilidh-band-tickets-1336714532149?
Sat 19th, HLI, Charteris Centre, 138-140 Pleasance EH8 9RR, 8pm-11pm, £10.00, organised by Ken Gourlay, email: ken@edinburghceilidhs.net, tel: 07585 445 995. With caller Ken Gourlay and ceilidh band. Soft drinks £1, alcohol £3. All dances walked through and called. Good exercise and great fun. "It's so joyful" - Japanese tourist. Please try to arrive before 8pm as we have a 5-minute warm-up at 8pm to reduce the risk of injuries. Mobile phones and tablets: taking photos or videos is OK but if you need to answer / make a call / text / browse etc. (musicians find this very rude) please do so outside the dance room in the foyer. No high heels please. edinburghceilidhs.net ken@edinburghceilidhs.net 07585 445 995 (24 hours)
Wed 23rd, Ross Miller Band, Linlithgow Palace open air - The Great Hall, 7:30-10:15pm, £13.00, organised by Linlithgow Scotch Hop, email: ScotchHopCommittee@Gmail.com. Scottish dancing for ALL, Linlithgow Palace open air (or alternative wet weather venue Low Port Centre opposite Tesco). Lively, friendly & fun - great Scottish bands. Wednesdays 7:30pm until dark. On-line tickets now on sale from: https://scotchhop.org.uk/
Wed 23rd, Cadjers Ceilidh Band, British Legion Hall, 33 Rodney Street, Edinburgh EH7 4EL, 8.00pm-10.30pm, £10.00, organised by Edinburgh 'Open House' Ceilidh Events, email: cadjersband@gmail.com. Traditional Ceilidh. Great Fun Night. No Need to Book - Pay at the Door (Cash only for Bar & Entry). Live Band with Caller. Licenced Bar. Suitable for age 10yrs+. Doors Open 7.30pm. Facebook: Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs
Thu 24th, The Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band, The Old Dr Bells Baths, 121 Great Junction Street Edinburgh EH6 5JB, 7.30pm-10.30pm, £13.70, organised by The Haggis Ceilidh Club, email: info@haggischasersceilidhband.com, tel: 07411660847. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1325032882019?aff=oddtdtcreator Come along and dance to one of Scotland's leading modern ceilidh bands in Scotland's capital city. Haggis Ceilidh Club will give you the opportunity to experience an interactive, fun, authentic and energetic ceilidh in the fantastic venue of Old Dr Bells Baths. Get your tickets now and don't miss out! Licensed Bar. Doors open 7:30pm, dancing from 8pm, ends 10.30pm. Links: https://theolddrbellsbaths.com/ https://haggischasersceilidhband.com/ https://www.facebook.com/haggischasersceilidhband https://www.instagram.com/thehaggischasers/
Fri 25th, Cadjers Ceilidh Band, British Legion Hall, 33 Rodney Street, Edinburgh EH7 4EL, 8.00pm-10.30pm, £10.00, organised by Edinburgh 'Open House' Ceilidh Events, email: cadjersband@gmail.com. Traditional Ceilidh. Great Fun Night. No Need to Book - Pay at the Door (Cash only for Bar & Entry). Live Band with Caller. Licenced Bar. Suitable for age 10yrs+. Doors Open 7.30pm. Facebook: Edinburgh Open House Ceilidhs