HotScotch Ceilidh Band are one of the top ceilidh bands in Scotland and offer a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary Scottish dance music for wedding reception entertainment, highland balls, corporate functions and many other events.
This Edinburgh ceilidh band produce an exciting mix of accordion, fiddle, and drums providing just the right atmosphere for a cracking night!
The band caters for all audiences and can include a Disco & Lighting package to compliment the Ceilidh. Based in Edinburgh, they travel all over Scotland and the North of England as well as performing regularly overseas. Their lively style of playing and rapport with the audience will have the dancers up on the floor all evening. All of the ceilidh dances can be called by the band to ensure all can join in whatever their experience.
All of the band members are outstanding musicians in their own right and have played at events all over the world. In fact the ceilidh band are due to perform in Monaco on the 28th of August this year.
Here is a recent video of them playing at The Hub in Edinburgh. One of the most spectacular wedding venues right at the top of the Royal Mile, and the ideal place for ceilidh dancing.
Posted in Ceilidh Dances HotScotch Ceilidh Band by .
HotScotch Ceilidh Band in Italy – September 2011
In September 2011, HotScotch Ceilidh Band travelled out to Italy to play for a wedding in Castello di Vincigliata near Fiesole. Set in the rolling Tuscan hills overlooking Florence, this proved to be a fantastic setting for a wedding reception. The medieval castle has been restored by it’s current family owners to provide a spacious, luxurious venue to celebrate and along with lovely sunshine and beautiful catering, it is simply stunning.
The mixture of Scottish and Australian guests really enjoyed the Scottish Ceilidh Dancing and the function suite provided ample space for dancing. As ever, accordionist Paul Chamberlain did the calling for the ceilidh dances to ensure that everybody could join in even if this was the first time they had ever been to a ceilidh. The band consisted of Paul Chamberlain on Accordion, Steve Moffat on Fiddle, and Jim Walker on Drums.
A very experienced Ceilidh Band
HotScotch Ceilidh Band have a vast amount of experience in playing for wedding receptions, and have played for over 300 events in the last five years. They know what works and what doesn’t and can give helpful guidance when planning your evening reception.
Popular Ceilidh Dances
Popular ceilidh dances such as the Dashing White Sargeant, Eightsome Reel, Strip the Willow and the Gay Gordons are ideal to include in your ceilidh which is a great way to ensure social interaction during the event along with a lot of fun and enjoyment.
Whether you are planning your function in Scotland or abroad, HotScotch Ceilidh band will ensure that things go smoothly and with first class music you will not be disappointed.
Some advice on choosing a venue for your wedding reception
Choosing the right venue in which to hold your wedding reception is extremely important and will ensure that the event runs smoothly, your guests enjoy themselves and there are adequate facilities for the successful entertainment.
Some popular types of venues are hotels, village halls, sports and social clubs, marquees and historic buildings.
Hotels
Probably the vast majority of couples opt to have their wedding reception in a hotel. This is usually the most straightforward option as the hotel will be able to provide catering facilities and a bar in situ.
There is great variance between the sizes of rooms and dancefloors that are contained within hotel suites. Older buildings tend to have a proper dancefloor which may be covered with carpets in normal circumstances. Many newer hotel venues will have a floor which is put together whilst the room is being turned round after the meal has finished. These tend to be fairly small in most cases and can also come apart slightly with vigorous dancing if not assembled correctly. If you are hiring a Scottish ceilidh band for your reception then it is a good idea to check with the hotel that there is sufficient space for dancing.
The larger the dancing space, the better as this will ensure that there is plenty of room especially when it comes to ceilidh dancing.
Village Halls
Village halls can provide an excellent setting for a wedding reception and tend to have a wooden floor for dancing, plenty of space and often a stage at one end for the band, giving a nice rustic setting. Hiring a village hall may also be a cheaper option than a hotel, but mobile caterers will need to be brought in to provide the meal and bar. It is worth checking out the kitchen facilities to make sure they are adequate for a catering company to use.
Sports and Social Clubs
Again, with these, most of the time you would need to hire in outside caterers for the meal, but many of these venues will already have a bar. Social clubs are built around entertainment and so usually have a stage and decent size of floor area. They may also have their own sound system and lighting.
Marquees
Marquees are another popular venue in which to hold a wedding reception. There are a vast range of sizes available to suit different occasions and capacities. Mobile toilet facilities may have to be hired if the marquee is not attached to another venue, and outside catering would be needed. Some hotels set up a semi-permanent marquee in their grounds for the summer season and these will generally have facilities like a bar, built in. Depending on the weather, Marquees can be a little cold and damp at times, or hot and humid so many are supplied with heaters or dehumidifiers to cope with this.
Historic Buildings
These have become popular venues over the last few years to make to occasion even more special. Places such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Blair Castle, Traquair House, Linlithgow Palace regularly host weddings, to name but a few. Some of these venues may have tighter regulations in terms of what they will and will not allow, for example most will insist that you use their recommended caterers, and may also have restrictions on sound levels, the use of lighting and effects machines which some forms of entertainment like discos may use.
As can be seen, there are many different types of venue where a wedding reception can be hosted. As the entertainment is key to having a good night, the space and facilities available must be considered so that if you book a ceilidh band for instance, they have adequate room to set up and a power supply. Most importantly in this situation, there should be a level, adequately-sized dancefloor where your guests can enjoy Scottish ceilidh dancing.
The increasing popularity of Ceilidh Bands for Wedding Receptions
As anybody who has organised a wedding will know, planning and preparation is key to ensuring a successful day. As important as the actually marriage ceremony, is the evening reception and arranging the best entertainment for your guests, to ensure an enjoyable, fun evening. There are many options to choose from but the increasing demand for high quality live music has helped to raise the popularity of Ceilidh dancing as a choice of entertainment for wedding receptions. There are many aspects to consider when deciding on a band, some of which are discussed below.
Making the right choice of ceilidh band
Ceilidh Bands come in all sorts of sizes and line-ups, and it is often down to personal preference which style of playing one prefers. The traditional line-up of Accordion, Fiddle and Drums can be augmented to include other instruments such as bagpipes, guitars, keyboard and double bass. One should also be satisfied when deciding on a band, that they use high quality, professional audio equipment capable of providing crystal clear sound.
Which are the most common dances?
Most Scottish Ceilidh Bands will have a caller, who will ensure that if some guests are not sure what to do, need a reminder or have never done ceilidh dancing before, then they’ll be able to join in without any problems and have a great night. Usually the caller will talk the guests through the dances and may also do a walk-through prior to beginning each dance. Some of the most popular dances are The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, The Dashing White Sergeant, The Flying Scotsman, Military Two-Step, The Eightsome Reel, Canadian Barn Dance, The Virginia Reel, The Cumberland Square Eight, and The Orcadian Strip the Willow.
How large does the dance floor need to be for Ceildh Dancing?
All hotels and wedding venues will either have a dance floor built into the room, or will put one down prior to the evening function commencing. These vary greatly in size, but the generally, the larger the dancing area, the better.
Ceilidh and Disco Combination
Many Scottish Ceilidh Bands now offer an evening consisting of both Ceilidh Dancing and Disco music. This can be the perfect combination to cater for all tastes during the function and much more economical than hiring a Ceilidh Band and a separate DJ. It is usually possible to request certain tracks to be either played or avoided during the disco. Some couples decide to provide a complete playlist for the DJ, while others will make a list of the favourites to be included in the evening. Disco lighting is important and the addition of professional lighting effects makes the complete Ceilidh/Disco package.
HotScotch Ceilidh Band had a busy weekend, playing for two Student Balls in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Edinburgh Veterinary Student Society Burns Night Ceilidh was held at the Summerhall buildings in Edinburgh – part of the Dick Vet School, and was a great evening. The traditional meal of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, was followed by rousing renditions of some of Robert Burns’ best known works such as Tam o’ Shanter.
Robert Burns was born on the 25th of January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire and he was one of the pioneers of the Romantic Movement. His songs, and poetry are well known across the world and people celebrate his birth each year by reminiscing and giving renditions of his works at Burns Suppers.
Saturday evening saw the ceilidh band play for another Student Ball in one of Glasgow’s best city centre venues – the Thistle Hotel. The Thistle has a beautiful big ballroom and with over 400 in attendance the floor was filled all evening. The band was delighted to have Andrew Gifford joining them on fiddle for the evening. Andrew is one of Scotland’s best Shetland Fiddlers and one of the members of the group Fiddler’s Bid.
The evening finished off with a couple of hours of Disco from the band’s resident DJ Paul Chamberlain. HotScotch Ceilidh Band Edinburgh have a sound and lighting system capable of handling all sizes of venues, with additional speakers that can be brought in where required for larger or outdoor venues.
The ceilidh band are due to play for two more Burns Suppers in Edinburgh later this month.
Posted in Ceilidh Dances HotScotch Ceilidh Band Previous Events Scottish Events by .
HotScotch Ceilidh Band have been busy over the last few weeks and after hectic festive season, the band is looking forward to another successful year of playing for ceilidh dancing in 2011.
Dalhousie Castle & Spa
They recently played for events in Edinburgh University’s Teviot Row for a sports society, the spectacular Dalhousie Castle, just outside Edinburgh, Bathgate’s newest venue, the Vu, as well as regular venues in central Edinburgh, the George Hotel and the Balmoral Hotel.
Kenmore Hotel near Aberfeldy
Accordionist Paul Chamberlain, was invited to play for a splendid Hogmanay ceilidh at the Kenmore Hotel near Aberfeldy. There was a great crowd of ceilidh dancers who were on the floor all evening. Just before midnight, everybody went outside where a spectacular fireworks display took place in the centre of the village. After that, it was back to the ballroom to begin the New Year with a Gay Gordons.
2011 looks to be another eventful year for Paul and the band, so if you are looking for a dynamic, professional Scottish Ceilidh Band for your function, please contact Paul either by phone or email to discuss how HotScotch Ceilidh Band can make yours a successful, enjoyable night to remember. This Scottish Ceilidh Band travel all over Scotland and the UK, with regular appearances abroad.
Scottish Ceilidh Bands Around the World
At this time of year, many Scottish Ceilidh Bands travel overseas to play for St. Andrew’s Day events. These are often coupled with other ceilidhs or Scottish Country Dance teaching and dancing sessions. Ceilidh Bands in Glasgow, Ceilidh Bands in Edinburgh and those from all over Scotland, are regularly invited out to play for these events around the world.
Due to the vast number of Scottish Expatriates around the world, there are a great many Scottish societies which hold events for their members. Bringing traditional Scottish music to them provides a highlight to the calendar, and also helps to show the Scottish culture to their friends and colleagues
Scottish Societies
The St Andrew Society has a comprehensive list of organisations around the world dedicated to Scottish music and culture.
Many of these St Andrew’s Societies, Caledonian Societies and other Scottish clubs do a great amount of fundraising and charity work in their respective countries.
Paul Chamberlain, accordionist of HotScotch Ceilidh Band had been invited out play at many such events and has been out to play for festivals in Russia several times.
Historical Links between Scotland and Russia
Russia and Scotland have had long historical links from the Middle Ages onwards. Hundreds of Scottish names have become renowned in Russian history, industrial development and culture.
Many Russians can claim Scottish ancestry dating back to 16th-century immigrants and retain an interest in the country. Indeed there is a wide following in Russia for Robert Burns. The former Soviet Union even issued a commemorative stamp featuring the bard and them cherished as a working class hero.
The Bard is so popular in Russia that fans there claim to have more Burns clubs than Scotland. All of his poetry has been translated into Russian and it is taught in the country’s schools.
Russia also has a thriving Caledonian Society, based in a Scottish cultural centre in Moscow, and a network of St Andrew’s societies organising social and cultural events.
With Russia’s economy enjoying rapid growth in recent years and the plan by the Scottish government to establish a Tartan Week in Moscow, would bring substantial economic opportunities for Scotland.
Accordion Festivals in St. Petersburg
Accordionist Paul Chamberlain was invited out to play at both the Baltica Harmonica Festival and the International Festival of Music for Accordion. His Scottish music was given a great reception by the Russian audiences and this resulted in a subsequent return to Moscow to take part in a two-week festival of Scottish Culture.
Festival of Scottish Culture in Moscow
During this festival Paul took part in performances in Gorky Park, The Central House of Artists, Arbat Street, Vermel Club, Toshka Nightclub, as well as a three-day visit to the city of Lipetsk to perform concerts there.
HotScotch Ceilidh Band from Edinburgh are one of the many Scottish Ceilidh Bands who are invited out to play for events abroad in countries such as Bahrain, Greece, Monaco and Russia.
Accordionist, Paul Chamberlain, leads a very successful ceilidh band in Edinburgh. HotScotch Ceilidh Band – an inspired, dynamic trio, are in high demand for functions around the UK and abroad.
HotScotch Ceilidh Band offer a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary Scottish dance music. An exciting mix of accordion, fiddle, and drums providing just the right atmosphere for a cracking night!
The band caters for all audiences and can include a Disco & Lighting package to compliment the Ceilidh. Based in Edinburgh, they travel all over Scotland and the North of England.
Their lively style of playing and rapport with the audience will have the dancers up on the floor all evening.
Paul Chamberlain is also an accomplished professional classical accordionist. The classical accordion is truly an amazing instrument and here in the UK, Paul Chamberlain is one of a very select group of talented young musicians working to increase the instrument’s profile, a profile that was established through the pioneering work of accordionist Professor Owen Murray.
Born in Scotland in 1981, Paul Chamberlain was immersed in a wealth of music from a very early age. At 17 he was invited out to St. Petersburg to perform in the Baltica Harmonica Festival and it was performances by artists there such as Yuri Shishkin and Oleg Sharov which inspired his change of focus to the greater possibilities of the free-bass button instrument. Over the last ten years Paul has developed his performance technique on the instrument with his inspiring teacher Djordje Gajic and also through master-classes with experts such as Owen Murray, Peter Soave and Jean-Louis Norton.
Paul is a highly accomplished player and his current title of UK Virtuoso Accordion Champion is testimony to his breadth of skills across many competitions in both classical and Scottish music styles. With appearances at music festivals around Europe and live television performances in Russia and Finland, Paul has also performed in France, Italy, Greece and Bahrain.
Currently Paul is studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, under the tutelage of Dr Djordje Gajic. In 2010 he was Highly Commended for his performance in the Tony and Tania Webster Prize for rare Russian music, and he was winner of the acclaimed Governors Recital Prize.
Paul is an active concert performer and is also one quarter of “The Scottish Tango Ensemble”.
He has adjudicated at competitions such as the NAAFC Musselburgh Festival and the NAO UK Accordion Championships, and teaches accordion at Fettes College in Edinburgh, as well as giving private accordion lessons in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Ceilidh Band HotScotch, playing in Monaco
HotScotch Ceilidh Band have a wealth of experience of providing high quality professional entertainment for all types of events and venues.
Their services are tailored to your specific needs and they can also organise for other acts such as piper, singers and other musicians to suit your the requirements of you event.
Scottish Ceilidh Dancing
A Scottish Ceilidh is guaranteed to make your next corporate function an exciting, memorable event with for all attendees. This is a great way for instance, to show invited guests from overseas a traditional Scottish evening. Ceilidh dancing is easy, fun and everybody can join in without having any prior experience. The band’s dance caller will guide everybody though the steps, giving a truly memorable experience for your guests.
Other elements such as a Highland Piper to welcome guests, or a Clarsach player during dinner, can be added to enhance to Scottish ambiance.
Types of Functions that a Scottish Ceilidh is most suited to
An evening of Ceilidh Dancing is ideal for your next Christmas Party, Retirement Party, Conference, Promotional Event, to Welcome International Visitors, and all other types of Social Functions.
Usually, the ceilidh can also be combined with a professional Disco in order to cater for all individuals in your organisation. An experienced, professional DJ will hold a vast library of music from 50s/60s right up to the current chart hits. Make sure that they have a professional lighting rig which includes LED and Laser effects. A smoke machine can also be linked, although this is dependent on fire regulations of the venue.
The ability to provide a mixture of music in this way ensures that all tastes are catered for. The supplier and venue will work with you to put together a complete entertainment package for your event which can be co-ordinated with a Scottish-themed meal if desired.
The benefits of holding a ceilidh
A ceilidh is a great way to promote social interaction within your organisation and also an ideal way to welcome guests and conference delegates.
When planning your company’s next event, do give thought to incorporating a Scottish Ceilidh into a fabulous entertainment package for all your staff and guests. HotScotch are one of the most popular Ceilidh Bands in Scotland, and will ensure you have a great night to remember. They are entirely flexible to suit your requirements and timings and will work with you to put together a complete entertainment package for your event. If you need a Ceilidh Band in Glasgow, the look no further than HotScotch Ceilidh Band.
A ceilidh is a great way to promote social interaction within your organisation and also an ideal way to welcome guests and conference delegates.
Posted in Ceilidh Dances Corporate Events HotScotch Ceilidh Band Scottish Events by .
On 28th August, HotScotch Ceilidh Band from Edinburgh were invited out to play in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The band is led by Paul Chamberlain on accordion, with Christine Anderson – fiddle and Jim Walker – drums.
On board the yacht before the ceilidh began
They were providing a Scottish ceilidh for guests on board the super-yacht “Christina O” as part of a wedding celebration with a Scottish connection.
It was a fantastic occasion and the ceilidh went down very well, with popular ceilidh dance favourites such as Strip the Willow and The Eightsome Reel, on the rear deck of the boat.
"Christina O" Yacht in Monaco
Certainly a most memorable event for this Scottish ceilidh band, and enjoyed by the mixture of French and Scottish guests. Their next function is in the magnificent Stirling Castle on Saturday 4th September.
Posted in Ceilidh Dances HotScotch Ceilidh Band Weddings by .
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HotScotch Ceilidh Band Blog- Edinburgh Ceilidh Club feature HotScotch Ceilidh Band at the Bongo Club, Tuesday 26th JuneOn Tuesday 26th of June HotScotch Ceilidh Band will be playing at Edinburgh’s Bongo Club as part of the regular series of ceilidhs run by The Ceilidh Club. Then dancing starts at 8.20pm and tickets are £6 on the door. Continue reading → […]
- Thinking of having a Ceilidh Band for your Wedding Reception? Look no further than HotScotch Ceilidh Band from EdinburghAs anybody who has organised a wedding will know, planning and preparation is key to ensuring a successful day. As important as the actually marriage ceremony, is the evening reception and arranging the best entertainment for your guests, to ensure an enjoyable, fun evening. There are many options to choose from but the increasing demand for high quality liv […]
- HotScotch Ceilidh Band at The Bongo Club – Tuesday 17th April 2012On Tuesday 17th of April HotScotch Ceilidh Band will be playing at Edinburgh’s Bongo Club as part of the regular series of ceilidhs run by The Ceilidh Club. Then dancing starts at 8.20pm and tickets are £6 on the door. Accordionist Paul Chamberlain is also the band’s caller and will teach the dances, so the event is great for everyone from complete beginners […]
- Superb night of Ceilidh Dancing at The Hub with HotScotch Ceilidh BandLast Friday evening, HotScotch Ceilidh Band played at one of their favourite venues in Edinburgh – “The Hub”. Right at the top of the Royal mile below the historic Edinburgh Castle, The Hub creates a magical atmosphere for any wedding … Continue reading → […]
- Ceilidh Bands, Scottish Music and Ceilidh Dances around the worldAt this time of year, many Scottish Ceilidh Bands travel overseas to play for St. Andrew’s Day events. These are often coupled with other ceilidhs or Scottish Country Dance teaching and dancing sessions. Ceilidh Bands in Glasgow, Ceilidh Bands in Edinburgh and those from all over Scotland, are regularly invited out to play for these events around the world. […]
- Edinburgh Ceilidh at the Bongo Club with HotScotch Ceilidh BandOn Tuesday 20th of December HotScotch Ceilidh Band will be playing at Edinburgh's Bongo Club as part of the regular series of ceilidhs run by The Ceilidh Club. Then dancing starts at 8.20pm and tickets are £6 on the door. Continue reading → […]
- HotScotch Ceilidh Band at Castello di Vincigliata, ItalyIn September 2011, HotScotch Ceilidh Band travelled out to Italy to play for a wedding in Castello di Vincigliata near Fiesole. Set in the rolling Tuscan hills overlooking Florence, this proved to be a fantastic setting for a wedding reception. The medieval castle has been restored by it's current family owners to provide a spacious, luxurious venue to […]
- Thinking about having a Ceilidh Band for your Wedding Reception?As anybody who has organised a wedding will know, planning and preparation is key to ensuring a successful day. As important as the actually marriage ceremony, is the evening reception and arranging the best entertainment for your guests, to ensure an enjoyable, fun evening. There are many options to choose from but the increasing demand for high quality liv […]
- Edinburgh Ceilidh Club feature HotScotch Ceilidh Band at the Bongo Club, Tuesday 26th June
