We’re absolutely delighted to be heading back to Speyside this spring for what promises to be a fantastic night of music, dancing, and whisky-fuelled cheer!
There’s something truly special about a Speyside crowd. Maybe it’s the warm Highland welcome, maybe it’s the incredible local drams, or maybe it’s just the magic that happens when great people gather for a proper ceilidh. Whatever it is, the atmosphere is always electric, and we’re already buzzing to be part of it again.
Whether you’re a seasoned ceilidh dancer or a complete beginner, you’ll be in safe hands. We’ll guide you through every step, from the classics to a few energetic favourites, no experience required, just bring your dancing shoes and a big smile. Expect lively tunes, lots of laughs, and a dance floor full of energy from start to finish.
And of course, being part of the Spirit of Speyside Festival means you can make a full day (or weekend!) of it, exploring some of the finest whisky in the world before joining us for a night of traditional Scottish celebration.
🎻 Event Details Date: Saturday 2nd May 2026 Venue: Grant Hall, Rothes Occasion: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Ceilidh
We’re really looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones. If you’re in Speyside for the festival, come along and dance the night away with us, it’s going to be a belter.
See you on the dancefloor! — Iron Broo Ceilidh Band
The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and what better way to embrace the festive spirit than by attending the Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh on December 23rd, 2023, at the Star Ballroom Aberdeen? This enchanting event promises an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and camaraderie that will leave you with cherished memories for years to come. Here’s why you should mark your calendar and secure your spot for this fantastic holiday celebration.
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1. Experience the Magic of a Ceilidh:
Step into a world of traditional Scottish music and dancing as you experience the magic of a Ceilidh. The Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh brings together the rich cultural heritage of Scotland with the joyful atmosphere of the holiday season. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a novice, the ceilidh offers a welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the fun and celebrate the art of traditional dance.
Iron Broo Ceilidh Band
2. Embrace Festive Cheer:
The holiday season is all about spreading joy and happiness, and what better way to do that than by dancing and laughing with friends and family? The Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh provides the perfect opportunity to let loose and embrace the festive cheer. Whether you’re attending with a group or flying solo, you’ll find yourself immersed in an atmosphere of merriment and goodwill.
3. Live Music That Moves Your Soul:
The heart and soul of any ceilidh lies in its music, and the Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh will not disappoint. Prepare to be swept away by the lively tunes of traditional Scottish instruments like the fiddle, accordion, mandolin, Irish Banjo and songs. The captivating melodies will inspire you to hit the dance floor and twirl to the rhythm of the music.
4. Create Lasting Memories:
Attending the Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories. From the energetic dances to the heartwarming moments shared with loved ones, the memories you make at this event will become cherished stories you’ll recount for years to come. Capture the essence of the holiday spirit and the joy of togetherness in a single night.
5. Celebrate Local Culture:
The Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Scotland, providing a unique window into the traditions that have shaped the nation. This event is a chance to appreciate the artistry and history of Scottish music and dance, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging.
6. Dress to Impress: – optional 🙂
Don’t miss the opportunity to dress up and look your best for this special occasion. Pull out your finest tartan, kilts, and elegant dresses, and step into the Star Ballroom with a sense of style and sophistication that befits the grandeur of the event.
7. Build Connections:
The Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh is not just about dancing; it’s also about connecting with others who share your enthusiasm for culture, music, and celebration. Forge new friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and revel in the unity that comes from being part of a joyful gathering.
Conclusion:
As the holiday season approaches, the Iron Broo Christmas Ceilidh on December 23rd, 2023, at the Star Ballroom Aberdeen presents a magical opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Scottish culture, music, and dance. From the lively music that will set your feet tapping to the warm camaraderie that fills the air, this event promises an evening of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting celebration and create cherished experiences that will stay with you long after the festivities come to an end. Book your tickets, mark your calendar, and get ready to dance the night away in a celebration like no other!
Don’t forget you get some of the finest Stovies and Macaroni & Cheese around from the Beach Ballroom’s chef and catering team.
Booking a Scottish ceilidh band for your wedding can be a fantastic way to add excitement, energy, and traditional flair to your special day. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider booking a Scottish ceilidh band for your wedding:
Iron Broo at YWE wedding exhibition 2023
Create a Fun and Lively Atmosphere: Ceilidh music is upbeat and energetic, and the traditional dances accompanying it is fun and easy to learn. Hiring a Scottish ceilidh band can create an atmosphere of celebration and joy that will get your guests up and dancing.
Honour Your Heritage: If you or your partner have Scottish heritage, booking a ceilidh band is a great way to pay homage to your roots. Even if you don’t have any Scottish ancestry, the lively music and dances will surely be a hit with all your guests.
Encourage Guest Interaction: Ceilidh dances are often done in groups, which makes them a great way to encourage your guests to interact with one another. This is especially important if you have guests from different social circles who don’t know each other well.
Create Lasting Memories: Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you want to ensure your guests remember it fondly. Hiring a ceilidh band can be a unique and memorable experience that your guests will talk about for years to come.
Overall, booking a Scottish ceilidh band for your wedding can be a great way to add excitement, energy, and traditional flair to your special day.
How will guests know how to join in with the ceilidh dances?
Typically, Scottish ceilidh bands will have a caller who will guide guests through the various dances and steps. The caller will usually stand at the front of the room and give instructions for each dance before the music starts.The caller will typically explain the steps clearly and simply and may even demonstrate the movements so guests can get a feel for the dance. The caller will also usually encourage guests to partner up with one another and will help them get into position before the music starts.In addition to the caller’s instructions, many Scottish ceilidh bands will provide written instructions or diagrams of the dances for guests to refer to. This can be especially helpful for guests unfamiliar with the steps or who want to ‘learn in reel time’. Overall, guests should feel comfortable joining in with the ceilidh dances, even if they have never done them before. The caller and the other guests will help guide them through the steps and ensure everyone is having a good time.
Will the ceilidh band travel abroad?
It depends on the specific ceilidh band you are interested in booking. Some Scottish ceilidh bands may be willing to travel abroad for performances, while others may not be available or have restrictions. Suppose you are interested in booking a Scottish ceilidh band for a wedding or event outside of Scotland. In that case, it’s best to contact the band directly to inquire about their availability and willingness to travel. Some factors that may affect their desire to travel could include the distance, the length of the trip, and any additional costs associated with international travel, such as visas, flights, and accommodations.It’s also worth noting that there may be local ceilidh bands or musicians in your area who can provide a similar experience, even if they are not specifically Scottish. These bands may be more accustomed to local customs and dance styles and may be more readily available for performances in your area. Our band love to travel but we need as much notice as possible due to out other booking commitments.
A Gay Gordons at Lonach Hall
Do you have first dance recommendations for a Scottish ceilidh?
One popular choice for a first dance at a Scottish ceilidh wedding is the Grand March, popular in the Northeast of Scotland. It requires a decent-sized dance floor and participation from the bride and groom and as many of guests as possible. Another popular choice is the Gay Gordons, which is a traditional Scottish dance that is easy to learn and fun to do. The music for the Gay Gordons is typically played on accordion, bagpipes or fiddles, and you can choose from many different versions of the dance.Another option for a first dance at a Scottish ceilidh wedding is the Dashing White Sergeant, which is another popular Scottish dance. This dance is typically done in sets of six dancers and involves a series of turns, spins, and partner changes.If you are looking for a slower, more romantic option for your first dance, you might consider a Scottish ballad or love song, such as “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns or “Loch Lomond”. These songs can be played by a Scottish ceilidh band, providing a beautiful and intimate moment for you and your partner. This could be a slow Scottish waltz or Old time waltz.Ultimately, choosing the first dance song will depend on your preferences and the atmosphere you hope to create at your wedding. A good ceilidh band can provide suggestions and guidance to help you choose the perfect first dance song for your Scottish ceilidh wedding.
Sarah, is a Scottish Waltz tune written by the famous Scottish accordion player, Max Houliston. Max founded the very first Accordion and Fiddle Club in Scotland. In 1965 he opened one in his own licensed premises, The hole in the wa’, in Dumfries.
I first heard this tune played about twenty years ago in the Dee Motel in Aberdeen. It was where the Aberdeen Accordion and Fiddle Club used to meet. Over the years I have noticed that the tune Sarah is a favourite of many accordion players and listeners. We used to play as a waltz at many ceilidh dances years ago.
Lighthearted lockdown ceilidh frustrations
I hope the Lockdown is being good to you and look forward to getting out to play again. We had 40 weddings booked during this Lockdown period. As a result of Corona, all been postponed and a few, unfortunately, cancelled. To make things worse we can’t even get to the Blue Lamp on a Monday night for good traditional music session to clear our heads. We can’t even go busking in the streets to earn a crust.
Without an audience and with the current social distancing laws in place all we can do is stay in, stay safe, and play with ourselves. 😜
I know many of you may have been spending the time jigging away furiously in your living rooms, with the curtains drawn, desperate for the lockdown to end. Itching for a Dashing White Sargeant or a Gay Gordons. I’ve seen you on the internet, strutting your stuff. 😂
Social distancing is difficult as it is against our human instincts. Unfortunately, for the time being, we must put up with it and try to remain positive that better days lie ahead. I am spending my time with family, mastering the art of sourdough bread, putting an internal window to my dark office space, making music and planning our next album. During the Easter holidays, we camped out in the garden, which meant we could we have a campfire and marshmallows! The campfire is the best part about camping in my opinion. It connects us with our ancestral past. I like to watch things burn. 🔥
How you can help musicians with very little effort.
If you would like to help me out during this time please consider becoming a Patron so I can continue to make music. Check out my page and let me know what you think in the comments below. It’s a new avenue for me so creative feedback is helpful. As is hard cash 😎
If you don’t want to become a Patron for now don’t worry. I will survive. You can also subscribe to my YouTube channelfor free and please do so now if you haven’t already. Watch as many videos as you can from start to finish so I can qualify for a share of the ad revenue and my own performance royalties after I reach the 4000 hours annual watch time. I’m about 3400 hours at the moment and I have 1.1K subscribers. A wee push here and there with some extra viewings will make a difference.
The Garlogie Ceilidhs were on Sunday afternoons at the Garlogie Village Hall and were well attended by people from far and wide. The hall was full of tables and there was no space left for dancing. It was more an open mic ceilidh where local personalities got up and did their party pieces. Mostly singers, musicians and storytellers. Because there wasn’t a public bar people were encouraged to bring their own food and drinks and the atmosphere was fantastic. Old and young all together in celebration of a shared culture, humour and identity.
Dae yi mind on lang lang syne?
Many moons ago I first heard this old Scottish Traditional song from Tam Reid, in the early nineties at the Garlogie Ceilidhs. Tam was well known for his Bothy Ballads and I always liked Tam. Everyone did. He was the kind of gent that personified all that was teuchter and Aberdeenshire farming. Tam’s eyes glinted almost as if he’d been born with a dram in his veins, though I can say I never saw him too drunk. I remember his white hair and dark eyebrows. He was a thick-set strong man with a gentle smile, big hands and a weather-worn red face.
When I first heard the song “Dae yi mind in lang lang syne?“, I had assumed it was a northeast bothy ballad song, but I was wrong. Its origins go back to Ayrshire or Edinburgh around 1800.
I made a YouTube video of the song using family pictures from my mum’s side.
Dae yi mind in lang lang syne?
History of the song.
The original author of this Scottish traditional song is Rev George S. Lawrie.
George was the son of a Kirkmicheal minister and studied at Edinburgh University and had been ordained in 1763 at Galston, Ayrshire. (He was to remain there for the rest of his days.) The following year in 1764, he married Mary Campbell, the daughter of a divinity Professor from St. Andrews University. – Archibald Cameron. Then, they went on to have two children and the oldest daughter was also a talented musician.
George S. Lawrie meets Robert Burns
In 1786 George had read the Kilmarnock Edition, by Robert Burns. At the same time, a young Burns was having problems in his career and as a result was thinking about giving up writing poetry altogether, fearing his words were falling on deaf ears and therefore he was considering leaving Scotland forever.
George was so impressed by the Poetry and songs from Burns he sent a copy of the works to Edinburgh to a Dr Blacklock who was known to George as an influential member of high society in Edinburgh. As a consequence, Blacklock immediately wrote back to George enthusiastically with a great passion for Burns’ works. George showed this letter to a friend Gavin, who showed it to Burns.
Sometime later, in an autobiographical letter from Burns to a Dr Moore, Burns comments about Lawrie and Blacklock.
‘I had taken the last farewell of my friends; my chest was on the road to Greenock; I had composed my last song I should ever measure in Caledonia, “The gloomy night is gathering fast” when a letter from Dr Blacklock to a friend of mine overthrew all my schemes by rousing my poetic ambition.’
Burns and Lawrie remained friends, and Burns would frequently visit the manse and stay over. Their contribution to Scottish Traditional Music, poetry and song was immense.
Without the help of Lawrie, Robert Burns may have quit his craft and Scotland would have been a more impoverished culture for it. Can you imagine Scotland with no Burns?
Nae Auld Lang Syne? No Red Red Rose? Without sleekit’ cowering beasties? Missing parcel o rogues? Oh wait, that would probably be good! 😉
Traditional Nostalgia
Generally speaking, in this song “Di yi mind in lang lang syne” I feel there is a depth of nostalgia leading to an acceptance of what is finally to come. I can imagine an old George S. Lawrie. Sitting in the manse in front of his fire, sipping a malt. Thinking back on his childhood, all the landscapes of places he played as a young boy in Perthshire, all the friends he misses who have passed on, all the hard-working farm folk who ‘rose wi the lark in the morning’.
I remember my own experiences with my family and friends and draw my comparisons. Ultimately there are people I miss, people I have lost, and as a result, I see all the same places in my memory where we once played. My generation had great fun as children. It all seems golden in my mind. In essence, it also makes me sad, because I know it will never happen again for me given I am 44, and I would get arrested for guddling in a burn now.
I fear my kids will never have such a good childhood as I enjoyed. iPads and technology seem to be strangling childhood.
More Scottish Traditional Music
Although there are some slightly different lyrics to the song on-line, I learned these from a Tam Reid recording. Visit the Iron Broo video library and see the song lyrics. This song is included on the album “A Celtic Voice”. Which is available online for download and on CD here along with other Scottish Traditional music from the past and present. Including some original tunes and songs where the PDF music of which will eventually all be available to download for free in our sheet music library.
I have been told a few times recently that I’m not good at selling myself. The truth is it’s because generally, I don’t like people who are good at selling themselves. It’s something ingrained in the northeast of Scotland psyche. Naebody likes a big heid. I’ve always been conscious of this.
I really enjoy creating music. Here I am giving away free sheet music.
I have started a small free sheet music library on IronBroo.scot and as I create new tunes I will build it up. You can download the PDFs for sheet music for free if you want to learn any of my tunes. I would love to hear them being played or recorded by other people.
I really enjoy doing what I do with music. Here’s one I made earlier…
It’s a pretty modest library at the moment ( more of a shelf ) but it takes a long time for me to write out and record the tunes and make the videos. If you want updates you can follow this blog or find us on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube and visiting ironbroo.scot. Leaving positive comments is encouraging. 🙂
Scottish Music Videos
The tune in the video above is one of my own compositions and the pictures and video are all my own, taken on Lochnagar in Aberdeenshire. I used an iPhone and a Canon Camera. Scotland is such a stunningly beautiful place with such a variety of scenery, it is a source of endless inspiration.
Live clip from the ceilidh – Thanks to Drew Brown of Abertunity.co.uk
A would like to say a big thank you to the people who came to our ceilidh and supported us in raising funds for Diabetes UK and having fun at a ceilidh. It was a great night even though the turn out was much smaller than we had hoped for. It’s such a pity we didn’t manage to get the message out effectively. We are considering another one soon to try and build some momentum and bring some more Scottish culture to our city. Something good. Something missing. Something we can make happen.
I’d also like to thank the band who gave up a rare Friday night off from playing at weddings to give their time to play for free. A time where they could have spent with their family instead of chasing rainbows with Iron Broo.
We also would like to thank our volunteer photographer, who came along to support the event. Drew Brown of Abertunity.co.uk who took many photos and video clips of the night that help capture the atmosphere of a traditional Ceilidh night. You can see Drew’s complete shots on his page: https://drewbrownimages.co.uk/iron-broo-ceilidh-with-a-kick-diabetes-fundraiser/
Set dancing
A good band – good company – BYOB
A few more people could have made a big difference to our fundraising as well.
We perhaps need to rethink our advertising strategy.
After costs, we have raised £79, and I have an anonymous donation came in taking this to £100.
We have done much better in the past and hope we will do much better next time.
As the saying goes:
“It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count. It’s how many times you get back up.”
We are getting back up and hope to increase the fundraising and get folk back to some ceilidh culture.
Leaving Loch Maddy, North Uist. Looking back towards the Dark Island
It’s a tune every Scottish accordion player learns and probably the most widely requested Scottish music tune I ever get. In my experience, it’s also the highest earning tune in my repertoire back when we were busking or playing in bars. Many a time I would get asked at the end of a gig in a bar to play the Dark Island. Usually by an older person, quite emotional after a few drinks and they would often hand us a tenner or a twenty afterwards with a tear in their eye. “That’s braw son…just braw”.
It’s a tune soaked in nostalgia for lots of people.
I recall playing on the St.Clair ferry from Aberdeen to Shetland one night, many years ago. Myself and my fiddler pal Bill Edwards were asked to play it for a guy after our show. He handed us £120. (£60 each.) For a few minutes playing, that was a lot of money for us back then and still would be today.
I visited Benbecula last year on a camping trip and used the photos I took during the week to make a video using the track from my album. (A Celtic voice)
The dark island is one of the first tunes I practised when I picked up the accordion.
I remember my dad trying to play it, it was one of the 3 tunes he could still remember from playing when he was a teenager.
The Dark island Video
Here’s my latest YouTube video of the Dark Island with photos from Benbecula, Eriskay, Berneray, North and South Uist and below is one of my previous videos of the same tune done live, one with Sandy Mathers on fiddle, recorded in front of my pizza oven.
It’s funny how a tune can creep up on you. I didn’t realise I played it so much.
The Dark Island – A Celtic Voice
Sandy Mathers & Charlie Abel
The forecasting stone outside a shop near Berneray is indicative of the type of weather you can expect around the Dark Island. You won’t see many trees either
The Left-Handed Fiddler is a well-known traditional Scottish tune written by James Scott Skinner, who is an iconic Scottish fiddle player from Banchory. (1843-1927) Skinner rose to fame during his time and left a vast legacy of music with his own compositions and collections that are still played widely to this day. Skinner gave himself the nickname “The Strathspey King”. He was quite a character and there’s a good article on him here for further reading. https://www.folkworld.de/25/e/skinner.html
Skinner’s Tune – for George Taylor.
My neighbour David Cumming had heard that Skinner wrote a tune for a relative of his. It was called “The Left-handed Fiddler”. Because he was not familiar with the tune I learnt it for him and recorded another YouTube video. I was pleased Dave liked it and he sent it to his relatives around the world.
The Left-Handed Fiddler
The next day, a relative of his asked if his name was ever mentioned in music scores, “George Taylor”. So I had a quick Google and discovered quite a few things.
George Taylor was a left-handed fiddler who also had a son called George who was also a left-handed fiddler. The author of the tune, Skinner had a father who was also a left-handed fiddler due to an accident that meant he had to relearn and play left handed. There are some who thought that Skinner wrote this tune for his father, but that has been dismissed by reliable sources on the internet who agree it was for George Taylor.
J. Murdoch Henderson’s tune – George I. Taylor.
The next morning I then also discovered that there is another tune written for George Taylor, though I’m not clear if it is for the same person, It may be that the father is George Taylor of the tune “Left-Handed Fiddler” and George I. Taylor is the son. In either case, it’s quite exciting in my mind to find this extra gem of musical history.
George I. Taylor – Strathspey
The tune “George I. Taylor” was written by J. Murdoch Henderson, from New Deer (1902-1970) and moved into Aberdeen to teach Maths. He loved to play fiddle but had some difficulties in playing as he injured both wrists in a childhood accident. He collected and wrote many tunes and published them. One of Henderson’s books I am aware of is called “The Flowers of Scottish Melodies”. It’s out of print now and I don’t seem to be able to source a copy. It’s the sort of book that will be lying someone’s house, hidden in a piano stool or in a second-hand shop. George I. Taylor is in this book.
The same time I discovered this tune I become aware that there is an online trend I was not aware of, it was #playastrathspeyday. Well, George I. Taylor is a strathspey. David, of course, wants to hear the tune so I drop what I am doing and learn the tune and upload it to the net. The morning after the official play a strathspey day, but, better late than never. 🙂
If you like the videos remember to visit the rest of my website and the clips pages.
You can also subscribe to my YouTube Channel and Facebook Pages. Look for Charlie Abel or Iron Broo.
It was the first of May 2017 and it was time for some more live ceilidh music video. I had not long finished building the Pizza Oven, a dream that had been on my bucket list for a long time. A crazy dream that would scare most folk off as it was not an easy task but I wanted to make the real thing. I spread the work over 2 years, a slice at a time. It’s based on the ancient Pompeii design and built from bricks and mortar. I did use a few modern substitutes in the build process however it remains a concrete and brick oven built from scratch. It cooks amazing food and not just pizza. I invited the band over for a pizza party to celebrate the anniversary of the Liberation of Italy, a few days earlier and the completion of the oven works. So, while the oven was getting up to temperature we decided to have a wee tune…
You can see the videos and others on our ceilidh clips pages.
We are based in Aberdeen, Scotland. In the video, it might look like we are in Italy but it was pretty cold when we filmed these. It was supposed to be spring and reasonably warm but the Scottish weather has never been known to pay any attention to details or expectations, it was only 8c. Luckily sitting in front of the oven put out enough heat to keep us warm and stop the fingers freezing up completely. We tried an improv version of a tune I wrote that I thought came out pretty well, here it is.. If you like the videos please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. It’s free and you will get updates when I post new movies.
Live ceilidh music videos
A Fling Set
Ronnie Watt’s 9th Dan – Original tune by Charlie Abel
