What are your charges?

Our charges can be found within the Pricing & Packages page of our website. These principally vary by the size of the band, but can also vary depending on location and timings (see below).

Are your charges flexible?

Our package prices are fixed for a full night of ceilidh and disco for your event and these will apply to the majority of bookings. However, if your event is particularly short (such as a one hour ceilidh section at the start of a longer night, where the band can remove their equipment after playing) or is a ‘charity event’ then we may be able to agree a reduced fee. In this case, please drop us an email setting out your requirements.

What counts as a ‘charity event’?

Any event where 100% of the profit is for the purposes of a registered charity or charitable project.  Unfortunately we have to charge full price for events where some of the profits do not go to charity. After a charity ceilidh we would like to know how much was raised on the night, for our records.

How long does the band play for?

A normal event booking is four hours, from the contractually agreed starting time to the contractually agreed finishing time. For example, if you wished us to be set up and ready to play for 8pm then we would normally finish at midnight. However, longer or shorter bookings can be discussed. Please note that, within a four hour booking, a maximum of three hours can be ceilidh dancing – we find that the crowd appreciate the rest!

Can I arrange a late finish after midnight?

We are happy to arrange to play beyond midnight. However, this will incur an additional fee and should be arranged and confirmed in advance.

Can we arrange to see you performing live?

We are always happy to have prospective bookings along to see us play live and stay for a chat with the band. However, as all of our events are private functions, you should contact us in advance for a list of dates and we will then have to contact the organisers of the chosen date to confirm that they are happy for you to attend – which is almost always the case. As well as our live video, there are audio clips available on our website.

How far can you travel for an event?

We play all over Scotland, UK and abroad. Our package prices include travel in and around the Glasgow area. For events further afield, we will let you know of the additional travel costs and breakdown in advance of booking. Where it is not practical to travel back to Glasgow after the event, we may need accommodation. The arrangement of this can be negotiated – either you can provide it for us or we can incorporate the cost of accommodation into the final fee and we will arrange it ourselves. Again, we will confirm these arrangements and costs ahead of confirming your booking

How long do you take to set up?

Set up takes approximately 45 minutes and this is normally about the same time a venue takes to turn around the room from the meal. We are discreet when we are setting up and there are no bangs and thumps or loud noises, beyond a short sound check! If an early set up time is required (e.g. prior to a meal), there may be an additional charge and this can be agreed in advance.

Can you provide lighting?

We have an extensive array of stage and audience-facing lights – both LED and laser. These are included as part of all packages.

What do you require from the venue?

We only need access to two electrical sockets (we have our own extension leads) and the requisite number of chairs with no arms. 

Do you have public liability insurance and is your equipment PAT-tested? 

Yes to both points. We have public liability insurance covering up to £10,000,000 and our equipment is PAT tested annually. 

What if my venue has a sound limiter?

We have experience playing in a number of venues with sound limited power systems (e.g. St Andrew’s in the Square). We would appreciate if you could let us know in advance if your venue has a limiter. Whilst this is obviously not ideal, we are no louder than any other band and have managed these systems successfully in the past. Some quiet foot-stompin’ required!

Do we need a stage and/or dance floor?

Neither is necessary. Space is the important thing – we need a minimum 3m by 5m performance space and a level surface to dance on. If space is likely to be an issue, you may wish to consider our two-piece band – who still pack a punch!

How does the Ceilidh / Disco package work? 

All of our bookings comprise a mix of ceilidh and disco. As explained above, the maximum length of ceilidh in a standard four hour booking is three hours. The ‘normal’ format of a four hour event is as follows:

8pm – 9.30pm (buffet) – Ceilidh dancing;
9.30pm – 10.15pm – Evening buffet;
10.15pm – 11.30pm – Disco dancing;
11.30pm – midnight – Ceilidh dancing (when everyone has found their ‘dancing shoes’ at the bar!).

We find the above works well at the majority of events. However it is completely flexible, and is able to be tailored to your requirements and adjusted on the night based on the crowd preferences. Nothing is fixed!

Can you provide a disco?

Yes we provide our own disco, with an extensive library of songs. If desired, we are happy for you to provide your own playlist in advance, or on the night on an iPod, tablet or laptop. However, we enjoy taking requests on the night and normally tailor the theme of the disco based on these. We are also happy to work alongside other DJs or entertainers.

Can you supply music during the break?

Yes, we can provide modern folk/traditional tunes or other background music of your choosing.

Will you require refreshments?

If any food is being provided during the evening (such as a buffet), we would appreciate being allowed to participate. The ceilidhing is hungry work for the band as well as your guests!

How many musicians are in the band and what is the instrumentation?

This is detailed in our About page.

What dances do you do?

All the old favourites, such as the Dashing White Sergeant, Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow, plus a few more unusual ones. We can provide you with a more extensive list of our dances on request. We are also happy to take requests and, in the unlikely event that we do not know the dance you suggest, we are always willing to extend our repertoire!

My guests have never attended a ceilidh, do you explain the dances?

We are used to calling for crowds of mixed ability, as well as novices, and make sure no one is left sitting at the side because they “don’t know how to dance”. The dances can be called from the stage or you can add our MC, Jim, to your booking. He will call the dancers to the floor, talk them through the steps and ensure that no one can hide at the back of the room! If you are lucky, you may also win a prize from his famous ‘prize bag’ – the inspiration for one of Grant’s own tunes!

Do you do covers?

As a specialist ceilidh band, we do not perform cover songs. The instrumentation of such does not lend itself overly well to covers. However, if you know in advance that you would like to have a small selection of covers included in your evening, the line up of the band can be tailored to suit with guitar/singer.  

Can we give you a song to learn for our first dance?

If you would like a Scottish twist to your first dance, we are happy to play a set of Scottish waltzes for your first dance.

What if someone in the band is ill/has to take a night off? 

Every musician in the band has a fully rehearsed stand-in to cover in case of illness, injury, unforseen circumstances or general life commitments! We work to an extremely high professional standard and will never put anyone on a gig who doesn’t meet this. Even if one of the faces you recognise is missing, you won’t be disappointed. 

Can one of my guests perform a song with the band?

If this is arranged in advance, we are happy to have musically talented guests join us for a tune. However, we would expect a suitable level of ability and, in all cases, reserve the right to refuse on the evening itself.