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I welcome details of any other callers who would like to be included in this list. I would just ask that it be restricted to Scottish Dance callers, and I will not publish contact information unless I am sure that the caller in question is happy with this.
There are the following indexes:
| Based in: | Broxburn, covering the Borders, Central Scotland and most points north too! International work can be arranged too! |
| Style: | Ceilidh and Weddings |
| Contact: | Graeme Barrie Tel: 01506 852 411 Mobile: +44 (0)7973 343 684 Email: graeme@graemebarrie.com Web: www.graemebarrie.com |
By day a self employed Health & Safety Consultant but in the evenings and at weekends, performing wherever the wedding reception is, Graeme is a well established dance caller and compere for a Scottish wedding. Working regularly with The Pentlands Ceilidh Band, Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band, The Lomond Ceilidh Band and Scott Leslie's Ceilidh Band. Over the years other bands have included The Gordons, Kilter, Annasach and The Reel Thing. Graeme is the one at weddings making sure it all happens the way it's supposed to, inviting the bridal party to the floor at the right time, then making sure the guests get up, get organised and get to have one of the most enjoyable evenings of their lives. Graeme can also provide a disco to work with the band if required.
Information supplied by Graeme Barrie <graeme@graemebarrie.com>.
| Based in: | Edinburgh and nearby |
| Style: | Ceilidh and SCD, particularly children |
| Contact: | Caroline
Brockbank (ceilidhkids@ceilidhkids.com) Web: www.ceilidhkids.com Facebook: CeilidhKids Twitter: @CeilidhKids |
Caroline started CeilidhKids® for our children in 2007. Since then, it has grown and grown, and now numbers thousands of graduates. CeilidhKids specialises in family Scottish dancing (ceilidh dancing) and runs regular Scottish dancing classes for nursery age children across Edinburgh and Glasgow. As well as this, Caroline runs birthday parties, fundraisers and other events for nurseries, schools, youth groups and others. She books up months in advance, so get in early!
Ideally children should be at least 3 years old and should have adults there to help, though older (school-age) children can manage with their friends. If you're having trouble finding a band, we have contacts we can call on for you. Just email us to discuss your requirements and we'll see what we can do.
Information supplied by Ian Brockbank.
| Based in: | Edinburgh and nearby |
| Style: | Ceilidh and SCD |
| Contact: | Ian Brockbank (ian@scottishdance.net) Web: www.scottishdance.net Facebook: GrandChain Twitter: @EdinburghSCD |
Like most people growing up in Scotland at the time, I learned the ceilidh dances at school, and went on to join (and run) the Edinburgh University New Scotland Country Dance Society when studying in Edinburgh.
I have been running Scottish Dance events and Ceilidhs for decades and have a vast repertoire of dances (some of which I have written myself) to call on to ensure your event is tailored for the maximum enjoyment for your guests. I am also an experienced Scottish Country Dance teacher and teach regularly in the Edinburgh area.
If you already have a band for your event, I can work with them to provide the instruction and guidance to make your event go with a swing. If you don't have a band, I have plenty of contacts I can call on for you. I can even work from CD if you are on a limited budget.
Information supplied by Ian Brockbank.
| Based in: | Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Covering the North East. |
| Style: | Ceilidhs, Weddings, SCD, Celebrations, School Proms |
| Contact: | Felix Burton (felix.uk@hotmail.com) Facebook: Sunderland Ceilidh DJ Tel (mobile): ()07954) 408528 |
Retired Army Officer. A lot of my experience has been gained within the forces network, working with military bands and ensembles wherever postings took me. I also have many years experience of eilidh calling at weddings, Scottish Country Dance evenings etc in Germany, Canada and UK. I operate as a Ceilidh DJ, often acting as the man who makes it happen so everyone has a great time. To keep costs reasonable I can provide a Ceilidh DJ service (working From CD), should you want to keep the costs down. I can also work with your band, should you have one.
Information supplied by Felix Burton.
| Based in: | South of England |
| Style: | Ceilidh, Reeling |
| Contact: | John Carver (john@reeling.co.uk) Web: www.reeling.co.uk |
I am a London based caller who has worked alongside many of the top bands (including Supergrouse, Frank Reid, Craigievaar, the Highlanders, the Lomond Ceilidh Band and others) at >100 ceilidh and reeling events in the south of England since 2010. I also run many events on my own, see www.reeling.co.uk for details. I'm also responsible for the dance teaching at London Reels (www.londonreels.co.uk). View the testimonials on my site to see what I could bring to any reeling or ceilidh event - please contact me if I can help in any way.
Information supplied by John Carver.
| Based in: | Dumfries |
| Style: | Ceilidh, Old Time |
| Contact: | John M Caskie (j.caskie@virgin.net) Tel: +44 (0)1387 710975 Mobile: +44 (0)7711 573071 |
Experienced dance caller from South West Scotland, who has worked with many of the top Dance bands: James Coutts, Iain Cathcart, Gordon Shand, Ian Rankine, Gary Forrest, Paul Chamberlain "Bon Accords", Jean McConnachie at ceilidhs, weddings, scottish evenings etc Not only a caller, John teaches Old Tyme dancing at two classes in Dumfries and has travelled to both teach and call all over Scotland and the North of England. Along with his calling capabilities John is a renowned singer and compere and fullfils the entire package of Compere, Caller, and Singer at many Scottish Evenings.
| Based in: | London and Hampshire (calling throughout the UK and beyond) |
| Style: | Ceilidh & Country Dance |
| Contact: | Henry Garfath (abdc.ents@yahoo.com) Tel: +44 (0)844 804 8852 Web: www.abdc.co.uk and follow the link "CLICK here to find out more ABOUT YOUR CALLER-DJs" |
Although I've called from St Andrews to Truro and from Boston, Mass to Stockton, CA I mainly operate in the London, Berks, Dorset, Hants, Surrey & Sussex areas.
Since I started calling in 1963 I have worked with my own band, any number of other bands and - of course - recorded music.
| Based in: | Borders |
| Style: | Ceilidh & Old Time |
| Contact: | Karin Ingram Tel/Fax: [+44] (0)1450-850 262 |
Dance Caller Karin Ingram comes originally from Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, but now lives and works in the beautiful Scottish Borders. She was employed by The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust as the Dance Development Officer for that area for three years. Karin is now the Editor of "Box & Fiddle" and "Dance On!" magazines and has a traditional music show on Radio Borders on Sunday evenings.
She wrote a booklet of dance instruction which accompanies The Occasionals' second CD, "Back in Step", and having spent six months as Traditional Dance Artist in Residence with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, Karin was involved in the creation of an education pack called "Sangs, Reels & High Jinks", and a similar one for the Scottish Borders Council.
Over the last fourteen years Karin has "called" with many bands including, The Glencraig SDB, The Glenelvan SDB, The Occasionals, The Galavanters, Marian Anderson, Eric Goodfellow, Stuart Anderson, Andrew Knight, Jock Borthwick, The Cutting Edge, MacNamara's Ceilidh Band, The Black Rose Ceilidh Band, Neil MacEachern, Davie Morrison, Jim Johnstone, John Carmichael, Kevin Clarke, Gordon Patullo, Mhairi Coutts, Duncan Black, Robert Black, Ian Muir & Ian Lowthian.
Karin was dance co-ordinator for the BBC's Hogmanay Show in 1996, 1997 & 2000 and for the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra video "The Fiddler's Party". She has several TV and radio appearances to her credit. She has organised many successful displays, dances and workshops for, amongst others, Tartan in the Park, Glasgow Fling, Mayfest, Beating the Retreat, Edinburgh Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Scottish Youth Dance Festival, Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. She also organises the popular "Island Fling" Traditional Dance weekend on the Isle of Skye.
Karin runs a weekly Ceilidh/Old Time Dance Class in The Morris Club, Newtongrange on Wednesday evenings. Live music is from Nicol McLaren, Stuart Anderson, Judith Linton, Charlie Todd, Andrew Knight or David Scott.
Information supplied by Karin Ingram.
| Based in: | North East Scotland, will travel. |
| Style: | Ceilidh |
| Contact: | Bryan Low (Bryan@ceilidhmor.com) Tel: [+44] (0)1651 873390 |
Called freelance in the Western Isles, and with the bands Ceart-ma-tha and Ceilidh Mor. Slowly building A Callers Guide to ceilidh dances, url: http://www.ceilidhmor.com/dances/.
Information supplied by Bryan Low (Bryan@ceilidhmor.com).
| Based in: | Glasgow (but willing to travel) |
| Style: | Ceilidh |
| Contact: | Tara McColl tel: [+44] (0) 771 8043607 |
I have worked with Mc Namaras Ceilidh band (Skye) and Rusty Nails Ceilidh band (Glasgow). My singing repertoire includes folk, traditional and contemporary material. All types of work considered.
Information supplied by Tara McColl (JAMES.FINNIGAN@ntlworld.com)
| Based in: | Inverness |
| Style: | Ceilidh |
| Contact: | Kirsteen
MacKinnon (dancecaller@yahoo.com) tel: [+44] (0) 131 468 4258 mobile: [+44] (0)7990514347 web site: www.dancecaller.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk |
I sing Irish, Scottish and Gaelic also a little country as well. I work frequently with the Pentlands Ceilidh band, also Annasach, Big Squeeze, Thunder Dogs and the Eden Ceilidh band. I have always sung and went through the Mod circuit and I started calling when I was singing with Macnamarra's Ceilidh Band in Skye.
Information supplied by Kirsteen MacKinnon (dancecaller@yahoo.com)
| Based in: | Glasgow |
| Style: | Ceilidh and Old Time |
| Contact: | Tricia
Matthews (Tricia@ReelRevellers.freeserve.co.uk) tel: [+44] (0)1324 716855 |
I work with Kevin Clarke, Jim Johnstone, Eden Ceilidh Band, Big Squeeze, Annasach and various other bands.
I have also worked with Colin Dewar, John Carmichael, Eric Goodfellow, Black Rose, and numerious other well known bands, throughout Scotland. I am willing to travel and have my own transport. I have a large repotiore of Old Time and Ceilidh Dances and am involved with many dance projects.
If you are looking for a caller with a very good general knowledge of dances, from the most well known to the more obscure. I'm that person.
Information supplied by Tricia Matthews (Tricia@ReelRevellers.freeserve.co.uk)
| Based in: | Surrey |
| Style: | Scottish Country Dance, Scottish & Ceilidh and Barn Dance |
| Contact: | Niall Mitchell mobile: 07733 178428 email: niallmitchell@btinternet.com skype: niall_mitchell |
I have been dancing since I was 7 and am a Licentiate of both the ISTD and UKA teaching bodies.
I have taught evening classes for both Beginners and Advanced Dancers for the local authority and taught & called for all standards of Dancers at Heston & District Scottish Association.
I am an experienced Scottish Country Dance, Ceilidh, and Barn Dance Caller and MC with over 30 years experience working with various Scottish Country Dance and Ceilidh Bands and recorded music at events ranging from full Highland Balls, Ceilidh Dances, Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries to Barn Dances.
I am based near Guildford, Surrey and will work in Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, South and West London, although would consider going further afield.
I can also provide contact details for Dancers, Pipers and Bands if required.
I am half of the singing duo 'The East Coast Lads', who perform mainly Scottish Folk and Traditional Songs at local Ceilidhs and Charitable Events. We have also released 3 CD's of Songs, the proceeds of which were donated to Scottish and Local Charities.
Information provided by Niall Mitchell.
| Based in: | Montpellier, Languedoc Roussillon, France Prepared to go anywhere if travel and lodgings are paid! |
| Style: | Scottish Ceilidh |
| Contact: | Email: mrondot.hay@gmail.com Tel: +33 434 110 268 73 rue de la Fontaine 34820 Assas France |
I'm Scottish and bilingual English - French. I'm an English teacher in Montpellier, danced as a child in Bridge of Weir. Quite used to calling at Franco-Scots weddings, English weddings, children's ceilidhs, and fund-raising ceilidhs (experience in The Netherlands,
| Based in: | Aberdeen |
| Style: | Ceilidh & Old Time |
| Contact: | Denis Shepherd (DENISJSHEPHERD@aol.com) Tel: 01224 643734 |
My name is Denis Shepherd. I am a dance caller, previously with Airs and Graces now Fittiefolk but willing to call with any bands looking for a caller. Experience of most ceilidh dances.
| Based in: | London but will work anywhere! |
| Style: | Ceilidh and Scottish Country Dance |
| Contact: | Simon Wales (simondwales@gmail.com) Tel: +44 (0)20 8643 0952 (evenings) Mob: +44 (0)7803 270740 |
An experienced caller working regularly with Caledonian Reelers, Kafoozalum, Green Ginger, Lochnagar, Reel Accord and Kirk Sessions bands. About 30 years experience of working as the 'front man' of the band for weddings and all sorts of parties, large and small. Also can supply PA equipment to work with recorded music.
I also work abroad with the MacLennan Scottish Group and am happy calling in various European languages.
I can also provide dancers, pipers and other musicians if required.
Information provided by Simon Wales.| Based in: | Cupar, Central Scotland |
| Style: | Ceilidh and Scottish Country Dance |
| Contact: | Pia Walker (pia@intamail.com) Mob: 07715 115 489 |
caller, Scottish dance teacher (ceilidh and RSCDS)
Information supplied by Pia Walker.
Except where otherwise indicated, all content on this site (including text, images, dance descriptions and any
other original work) is licensed under a
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This page is maintained by Ian Brockbank