On 13th September 2025, the Iron Broo Ceilidh Band brought the joy of a Scottish wedding ceilidh to the shores of Lake Como. Accordionist Charlie Abel and fiddler Sandy Mathers travelled to Laglio, Italy, to perform for the wedding of Mark and Kate — and what a celebration it was!
The ceilidh was held at the breathtaking Villa Regina Teodolinda, right on the lakeside at Via Vecchia Regina. Guests from across the world joined hands for reels, jigs, and Strip the Willow, filling the villa with the laughter and energy of a true Scottish ceilidh. The stunning views of the lake and mountains made it a night to remember.
Villa Regina Teodolina
And yes, we couldn’t resist pointing out that the ceilidh was just yards away from George Clooney’s house. The locals told us: “George drinks here all the time.” Sadly, he didn’t pop in for a Gay Gordons, but we like to think he was tapping his foot along from his balcony!
For me, Charlie, this trip carried extra meaning. Having been married in Italy myself — to my Italian wife — this was the third Italian wedding ceilidh the band has played. It felt like coming full circle: celebrating love and marriage with ceilidh music in the country where we also tied the knot. ( see my video below)
We stayed at the welcoming Hotel Bersagliere in Laglio and, between wedding festivities, managed a ferry trip to Bellagio. Exploring colourful streets, soaking up the views, and enjoying Italy’s famous cuisine added to the magic. From delicate carpaccio and bresaola to handmade ravioli, wood-fired pizza, and crisp local white wines, every meal was a feast to remember.
Hotel Bersagliere
Performing for Marc and Kate’s Lake Como wedding ceilidh was an honour and a joy. Guests embraced Scottish ceilidh dancing with enthusiasm, many for the first time, proving again that ceilidh music is universal in its ability to bring people together.
We’ll treasure the memories: ceilidh tunes echoing over Lake Como, the warmth of Italian hospitality, and the running joke that George Clooney is probably still waiting at the bar for his pint.
We are beyond excited to share some amazing news with you all – Iron Broo Ceilidh Band are wedding ceilidh band winners at the prestigious Hitched Wedding Vendor Award for the second year running! We couldn’t have done it without your incredible support, so a massive thank you from all of us!
To our awesome fans and supporters, your energy and enthusiasm fuel our passion for what we do. Whether you’ve been dancing along at ceilidhs or cheering us on from afar, your love means everything to us. Winning this award again is a testament to the fantastic community we have around us.
Aberdeen , Scotland, Saturday, 27 January 2024 IronBroo Picture by Michal Wachucik/Abermedia
The Hitched Wedding Vendor Awards are a big deal in the wedding industry, and to be recognized alongside some of the best vendors out there is truly humbling. We’re grateful to the judges and organizers for shining a spotlight on the hard work and dedication that goes into making weddings special.
A huge shoutout to all the couples who have trusted us to bring the party to their big day. Being part of your celebrations is an honor, and we’re thrilled to have played a part in creating lasting memories for you and your guests as your chosen wedding ceilidh band.
As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we’re more motivated than ever to keep pushing the boundaries of what we do. With your continued support, we’re excited to bring the joy of ceilidh music to even more people, spreading laughter and happiness wherever we go.
Looking for unforgettable wedding entertainment? Look no further! Iron Broo Ceilidh Band is here to bring the party to your special day. Whether you’re planning a traditional Scottish wedding or just want to dance the night away, we’ve got you covered.
So, here’s to many more amazing moments together! Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us become two-time winners of the Hitched Wedding Vendor Awards!
Aye, we are still in lockdown, and the summer holidays are likely to be cancelled for all of us. But that doesn’t mean we canna dream.
Sit yourself down and get comfortable. Pour yer favourite tipple, close your eyes and pretend that you’re in Paris, or in the sunny south of France vineyard under a parasol, soaking in a golden evening. Enjoying your holidays. Not a care in the world.
Music for the afternoon drinks reception at a wedding
This is not strictly ceilidh music. But it’s great music on an accordion. Would be nice at an afternoon wedding reception. Gives things a bit of class does French accordion music. Goes well with fine food, coffee and vintage wines. It’s sophisticated and classy. It’s sexy but not in your face. It’s refined elegance from a humble country background. Organic and pure like the best Bordeaux wine. It’s red velvet on white lace. Ideal for your wedding drinks reception.
The tune is called Réveil Musette and was written by André Lavignac and André Cior. I have it in a book published in 1952 but it may be much older.
I think the translation of the tune title means Awakening Musette, or if you see Google translate it might be Alarm Clock Musette.
Musette or Bal-Musette is thought of as sub-genre of Gyspsy Jazz music. It was common in different forms in France from the 1880’s. Originally it was played on a type of bagpipe ( a Cabrette) known locally as a Musette. Italians began to travel to France and brought with them the newly invented accordions Italy was so famous for. The music was almost always instrumentals for dancing and typically waltzes, tango and jazz. In the 1930’s Swing music or Gypsy Jazz came from the mixture of the Musette background with musicians like Django Rhineheart, Gus Viseur and Emile Vacher and many more.
This music was famous throughout France until the 1950s. It was usually played by downtrodden musicians and was celebrated by the upper-classes. Bohemian things were very trendy among the elites when they were looking for excitement. The whore houses of Paris, like the ones of Buenos Aires did a lot for tango, musette, jazz music, and accordions. The best music sometimes comes out of the darkest places. A bit like ceilidh.
You can find the music for this tune on page 182 of this book. You can find the book online or in some specialist music stores. Great to have if you like to play the accordion.
A special moment from the Bride & The Lonach Pipe Band during a recent wedding ceilidh.
Booking a Scottish ceilidh band for your wedding dance? Could be the best wedding entertainment idea you ever have!
First, you have come to the right place. Here in Scotland, we know how to enjoy ourselves. It’s no secret and our wedding ceilidh band tradition is legendary. We have a deep history of fun. We have been forced into it by long years of crappy weather and a lack of sunlight perhaps. When the weather is right in our country, we all appreciate it immensely. As soon as the mercury hits double digits, we start to sweat and tell ourselves ‘taps aff.’
We Scots invented many things. Our past inventions made an incredible contribution to the development of the human race. I could list hundreds of our significant contributions to our fellow man. Here are a few, for example, Malt Whisky, penicillin, the telephone, the television, deep-fried mars bars, and Irn Bru…we invented so many great things.
Modern traditions live on
In the modern world it pays to be creative and we Scots have been great at it. But there’s also a love of tradition and a passion for what may be familiar to us Scots. A respect for tradition that binds us to our past and our future. It warms our souls and frees our spirits. Makes us laugh with rosier smiles. Like the satisfaction of cooking on an open fire with your friends. Imagine sharing a dram of good malt, in good company, or a Burns supper with your favourite friends, or walking through the magnificent countryside or wild camping.
It’s a shame that the modern world is in danger of stealing many of our traditions for a quick fix answer. A sometimes lazier or cheaper alternative. Luckily because we notice that trend, some of us will go out of our way to help preserve what is right and join the dots from the past as we move forward through the present.
Future traditions
Some things change with the times and improve but others, though they may change will keep us tied to our ancestors through the tradition of the act. Such as the making of Malt Whisky, smoked salmon, fishing, many of the farming and food traditions still pride themselves in the traditional artisan production methods, even though utilising modern techniques to fine-tune their production. Common sense is working with tradition. People value tradition. A bottle of 18 years Highland Single Malt Whisky is going to be of higher perceived value than a bottle of a generic mass-produced young whiskey, and so it will command a higher price. (note that the ‘e’ in whisky means it’s not from here, there is no ‘e’ in Scottish Whisky. Good to know if you are abroad and spot counterfeit bottles)
It’s easy to get caught up in crazy ideas that might seem trendy or in vogue at the time. In recollection when I was younger, American Kentucky Whiskey brands were what everyone trendy was opting for instead of our home-grown amber gold from the gods. Shocking! At least that didn’t last long. Providence prevailed, most people saw the light pretty quickly. It’s akin to the Italians eating a German pizza because of a nice advert on TV.
When you are looking at your wedding entertainment choices it would be a great pity if you were to follow in a similar direction, wouldn’t it?
Traditions are successful for good reason.
Most of us only get married once and want it to be unique. So it’s understandable and perhaps forgivable why some people might go off in a different direction and try something unheard of. I think few people manage to pull that off on a big scale. It could be expensive and could blow up in your face. We’ve all seen plenty of social media clips of people trying to outdo others and get ‘likes’ for their original wedding ideas. I think a wedding is very personal and of course, we don’t all like the same things.
As a musician, playing ceilidh and other music, I have performed at over 1500 weddings over the last twenty years. That gives me a lot of experience in Scottish wedding entertainment and running a ceilidh band as a profession. Few people can admit to having as much experience in professional entertaining at weddings and social ceilidh than myself and my fellow musicians. By now we must be up in the top tier of our country’s imaginary ‘Ceilidh Masters Hall of fame.’ I know we are not alone, but we few, in this imaginary hall of fame are a small crew of dedicated individuals who can survive and make a living in this niche circuit. I take my hat off to the small number of competitors and friends who help carry forward the Scottish wedding ceilidh tradition. We are the tradition bearers of Scottish ceilidh music.
Live Gay Gordons Clip
How to choose your wedding ceilidh band
So, when you decide on your Scottish wedding entertainment make sure you consider booking a good ceilidh band. Please also bear in mind that ceilidh bands are not all the same. A good group is not likely going to be the cheapest band you can find. Playing music is an art form and a profession that should be appreciated for the skills involved. Listen to them playing. Booking a group is not a comparable generic product. Usually, you get what you pay for so be warned. You wouldn’t book the cheapest food, wedding dress or venue for your wedding, so don’t try to skimp on the band as the same rules apply. Even if you know nothing of music, musical entertainment is most definitely one of the most critical aspects of your wedding reception.
Think about the value
I like to use the comparison with tradesmen. Imagine asking a plumber, an electrician, a joiner and a plasterer. “Come to my party and work for 5 hours on a Saturday night, in a hotel 100 miles away. Please set up your tools in the afternoon so my guests don’t have to see you working, we don’t have a budget for a hotel room for the band so you’ll have to drive the 100 miles home after you pack up after your finish time of 1 am and load the tools into your van at 2 am. You’ll be back at about 4.30 am, but it’s good exposure for you.”
I think you’ll find the tradesmen would be much more expensive. It’s hard to understand why some people don’t value or respect professional musicians in the same way they would tradespeople. Are we not skilled? Do we not need to eat? Have we no bills to pay or mouths to feed?
The best wedding idea ever?
Booking a terrific ceilidh band for your wedding could be the best wedding ideas you have. The advantages of a ceilidh over other music are that ceilidh can work across the generations and break the ice among the guests unlike other forms of musical entertainment. It is a very social way to entertain. In that, the people themselves take part in the wedding entertainment. The Ceilidh will bridge the gap between the generations and bring both family groups together. The right band will involve the guests and create memories of happiness that will last forever. Ceilidh will bring an amazingly positive atmosphere to your special day, and your Ceilidh will create fond memories to reflect on for years to come.
Less stress an added value
Planning a wedding can also be incredibly stressful. Wouldn’t it be great if you had some of that stress taken off? A good wedding ceilidh band will make the wedding flow with ease. They will communicate with the venue, and you will be free to enjoy the wedding reception. No reason for Bridezilla to make an appearance. You’ll be too busy smiling.
Dancing together is fun, it links us with our past. There is something tribal and euphoric about it, reminding us of our ancestral roots as human beings on a spinning rock orbiting the sun.
Think of a ceilidh as being like the mature Scottish malt. It can be addictive… But it won’t give you a hangover.
You really can’t put a value on what a great ceilidh can deliver.
I reckon I know Aberdeen pretty well. I was born here, I grew up here. I was a taxi driver for 10 years working for my Dad. I knew all streets, places of interest and hotels as part of being a taxi driver. I passed a rigorous test on the subject by Inspector Brown of the Hackney Police. And growing up after leaving school I saught oot the wee bars that had traditional music sessions and I would frequent most of them.
I spent ten years living in Edinburgh from 2001 to 2011. I liked Edinburgh but I never felt I belonged there. I’ve always been an Aberdonian and I had no intention of brushing up my mither tongue to be accepted in posh Edinburgher..eh?
My accent caused me a few problems in Edinburgh. One main thing, the cultural difference between the 2 cities can be highlighted when buying a Fish Supper…
In Edinburgh they don’t add salt and vinegar to fish… it’s salt and sauce. Not red sauce or ketchup. It’s a watery kind of cheap HP sauce that they splay carelessly all over yer chips and fish. Whereas here in Aberdeen we use Salt, vinegar, maybe ketchup or mayo, and in the good places a slice of lemon. As a golden rule, brown sauce does NOT go with fish.
Also here in Aberdeen, we often have different types of fish as we have a little knowledge on the subject being steeped in fishing industry history. I personally love the Haddock. It’s my favourite white fish after Halibut. In Edinburgh, it’s just fish… I know as I had often asked what kind of fish was used in the fish supper was and was told ‘just fish’.
They don’t know the Cod from the Haddie.
On one fatal trip to the local chippie for the family treat I was distraught when I returned home to discover my Haddock supper (I had asked for) had been replaced by a Haggis supper. To an Edinburgh ear Haddock seems to be picked up as Haggis. The deep-fried phallic sausage in brown sauce was not an appetising sight for my eyes… The disappointment came at no extra charge. I complained and was met with a cold and hostile stare. No humour or customer service in that establishment.
Anyway. As much as I thought I knew Aberdeen back then, I realised when I returned after 10 years much had changed. Many of the places I knew were gone. Even streets were added, and buildings destroyed. Some for the better, some for the worse.
As a person ages we begin to realise the folly of our youthful thinking. I thought I was pretty clever and street wise. Thought I knew a lot. Now I’m shocked to think of myself as middle aged. (43) I feel younger but not clever. Some might think me to be, but I know different. I have some strengths and many areas where I thirst for knowledge. I get tired and run out of time to do what I would like to do. I want to improve myself and others around me. I want to make the world a happier place. Who doesn’t?
Every day you can learn something new.
Last November Fred and I were playing in an Aberdeen venue for a small birthday party in a venue I had never heard of. Perhaps it had not been used as an event space for a ceilidh often or before so I think I can be forgiven. In my work I often mix with all levels of society but generally I am not involved with the legal profession (I’m a good guy, honest) on a social basis.
The Society of Advocates Library, off Broad Street at the bottom of Concert Court was a fascinating venue. https://www.socofadvocates.com
Society of Advocates Library in Aberdeen
The Society has it’s origins in the 16th century and the building itself is a fair age. Not knowing the venue when inside I felt I was in Edinburgh as there are many similarities with the buildings I knew when I lived there. It has an old grandeur to it with a massive staircase and wide corridors. The staircase is quite a feature. A pity we had a sound system to carry up it! The library itself it something very special. It has to be seen to be appreciated.
We were lucky enough to be invited to eat by the family who booked us for their birthday ceilidh bash. The catering was by Perfection Catering ( http://www.perfectioncatering.co.uk/) and the food was top notch. Friendly staff and great food are the 2 main ingredients for a catering company and they had more than that for sure.
One of the staff took a quick video of us on his phone and put it on the Facebook, I have copied it and YouTube’d it for ye.
Fred loves stairs
I’ll add some of my own photos and leave you with an idea for a great small venue for an intimate dining and ceilidh experience in a unique, lesser known, historic Aberdeen Venue that is sure to be on people’s mind for future events. I will warmly look forward to climbing those stairs to play again in this lovely venue.
We were thinking recently… Over the years we have probably played at over 1500 gigs. Probably over a thousand of them weddings. Each time we play we get a little better at what we do. We never stop learning and improving. We get a real reward knowing that what we do makes a difference. Our ceilidh music gets to make its mark at someone’s special event or their wedding. We’ve often been on stage with our instruments while a bride and groom cut their cake and I’ve wondered if that has meant we are on the mantlepiece in someone’s living room, perhaps in the background of their wedding photo for years to come. Their future grandchildren gazing at the old photo above the LCD fire and wondering what the strange people in the background were doing with real instruments. Alas, probably that will be the extent of our fame in ceilidh music. But I will die an optimist. We have continued to improve all aspects of our performance and equipment. Despite the crisis and the threat of gravity and too much Stovies. We love what we do and after 20 years of playing and practicing we are still ramping up the gigs and exploring new frontiers with our music. We are ready for anything…
This lovely waltz was written by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. We were asked to play it for a first dance for a wedding in 2016. It stuck with us. Here we played it just before a ceilidh during the sound check so it’s a wee bit rough in places but we hope it does the tune some justice.
