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Ceilidh Experience
Ceilidh Irish and Traditional / Wedding Entertainment
This authentic Edinburgh based 3 piece, Ceilidh Experience will be a lively backdrop to any traditional social gathering. This Accordian, fiddle and drums group are perfect for dancing, jigs and ceilidhs.
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Profile
Discounts available for weekday bookings (Sunday - Thursday)
The Ceilidh Experience was originally formed in Edinburgh in 2002 when established musicians Norman Mackay and Carrie Thomas began gigging as an accordion/fiddle duo.
Now one of the most in demand ceilidh bands in the country they have gone on to perform at ceilidhs all over the UK as well as making regular trips to the Republic Of Ireland & abroad.
From Scotland’s most desirable castles stately homes & hotels to local village halls and barn dances to their biggest crowd to date in June 2005 when they played for 5000 dancers on Edinburgh's meadows breaking the world record for the biggest ever Eightsome Reel! The Ceilidh Experience can be found performing at weddings festivals functions corporate events & parties.
Currently consisting of accordion twin fiddles guitar and drums, The Ceilidh Experience can provide various line ups to cater for any event, from the compact trio right up to a full 5 piece line up with in house sound engineer and optional extras including additional sound & lighting equipment , smoke machines, radio mics, etc. (Please ask for more info)
In addition to the ceilidh band, The Ceilidh Experience also work with an experienced, professional DJ, piper and string quartet and can arrange a full package tailor made to suit your requirements.
Also available is the accordion & fiddle duo which can play a wide range of acoustic music during wedding services, drinks receptions and various other events.
This line up is also available for off peak ceilidhs. (Sun-Thurs)
Norman Mackay: (Accordion/Caller)
Born in the Highlands, Norman honed his trade early on in folk clubs across Scotland before moving to Edinburgh in 2002 where he has established himself as one of Scotland's most accomplished folk accordionists.
His own compositions regularly feature on radio in both the UK and abroad, and a sample of his playing was recently used on the soundtrack of the new American Express MasterCard TV commercial.
January 2008 saw the release of his debut album "The perfect squeeze" which was produced by Ross Kennedy and features some of Scotland’s finest musicians including Moishe’s Bagel violinist Greg Lawson & Donald Shaw of the celtic supergroup Capercaillie.
Emma Pethybridge: (Fiddle/Caller)
Emma joined the Ceilidh Experience in September 2004 after meeting Norman on the folk scene in Edinburgh. Trained classically primarily (BA Joint Honours Music/Hispanic Studies) Emma began playing traditional and folk music through the Glasgow Fiddle Workshop learning from great players such as Chris Stout and Aiden O’Rourke. She has travelled the world with her fiddle, studying tango in Argentina and playing with Quinteto Nostalgico.
Back in Edinburgh she is a regular performer with the Meadows Chamber Orchestra and has a keen interest in improvisation playing in 03/04 with the Tolbooth Improvisers Orchestra. Emma also works as a music therapist having completed a postgraduate diploma in music therapy (Nordoff-Robbins) in 2004.
Carrie Thomas: (Fiddle/Caller)
Carrie's first introduction to the folk music scene was through the youth gaitherin out of which she formed the ceilidh band Cuchulain's raven which became notorious in Edinburgh for its unpronounceable name and half hour long strip the willow sets!
She originally trained in classical music before taking up folk and receiving tuition from some of Scotland's finest fiddlers including Alasdair Fraser and Gavin Marwick. At 17 she was offered a place on the Scottish Music course at Glasgow's RSAMD.
Ross Kennedy (Acoustic guitar/song)
Ross Kennedy has been performing Scottish music and song, home and abroad, for over 30 years. He’s toured extensively worldwide with bands such as The Tannahill Weavers, Iron Horse and Canterach, as well as various duo's and trio's, he’s also played on and produced countless albums, and collaborated with many of traditional music‘s biggest names.
Richard Corral: (Drums)
Richard has drummed with The Ceilidh Experience since returning to Scotland from Canada in 2004. While in Canada, Richard played a lot of ice hockey but also took time out to win the coveted Notre Dame Music Award for being an awesome drummer.
This accolade was a welcome addition to the many awards Richard has won at Scottish Music Festivals since he begun drumming 15 years ago.
Richard comes from a rock background and this brings a whole new dimension to the band's sound. His rhythm, energy and stylish grooves together with his extrovert personality have made him a popular addition to the team.
Jamie Forrester (Piper, pictured below)
For the past few years Jamie has been a piper with the Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band and although he still has youth on his side he has considerable experience of playing at weddings, social functions, corporate events as well as on the competing platform. Jamie is a highly accomplished musician and in great demand, so it is advisable to book well in advance. However if he is not available he will make every effort to find a suitable substitute.
PRESTIGIOUS VENUES INCLUDE:
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Blair Castle, Blair Atholl
Edinburgh Castle
Prestonfield House Hotel
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Musselburgh race course
Airth Castle
Lough Rynn Castle, Co Leitrim
Bridge of Orchy hotel
Thomas Morton Hall, Leith
Pollockshields Burgh Hall, Glasgow
Blackness castle
Newton Hotel, Nairn
Langley Castle, Hexham
Set
list
Gay Gordons
Dashing White Sergeant
St Bernards waltz
Strip the Willow
Military 2 step
Cumberland square 8
Virginia reel
Canadian barn dance
Eightsome reel
Highland schottische
Orcadian strip the willow
Waltz
Auld Lang Sine
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 Listen
to Ceilidh Experience
Songs will play on any PC with Windows Media
player.
Song title |
Play |
| Eejit Reels |
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| Legend Set |
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| Jigs (Live) |
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Line-up & instrumentation
3 piece band: Accordian, fiddle, drums
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Travel availability
This band are only available in the regions
listed below.
The North
Scotland
Booking options
You can also choose to have any of the
following options added to your booking.
| 1 |
For an extra musician add approx £180 |
| 2 |
For the piper add approx £288 |
| 3 |
For the DJ option add approx £288 |
| 4 |
Four Piece (+ electric guitar), add approx £144 |
| 5 |
Five Piece (+ electric guitar + extra fiddle), add approx £336 |
| 6 |
The Ultimate Ceilidh Experience package:
Four Piece Band, in house DJ & sound engineer.
Big lighting rig, extra sound equipment & optional smoke machines. Add approx £540 |
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Reviews & references
Client
name: Jennifer
Client
artist rating: 
Comments: Hi James
The Ceilidh experience were brilliant and everyone commented on how
well they played - they are a really nice bunch of guys as well! If you
could pass our thanks on to them that would be great
Cheers Jennifer
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Client
name: Karen Sherriff
Client
artist rating:
Comments: Thank you for all your help booking Ceilidh Experience. We were delighted with the band - they were absolutely fantastic. Carrie was an exceptionally patient and amusing caller, especially as half of us didn't even know our left from our right. The music was great and all our guests had a fabulous time. Even the men who NEVER dance were up on the floor.
One of the highlights of the wedding for me was the final set they played where all our guests were up dancing and everyone was laughing and smiling. The only disappointment was that they couldn't play longer!
We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.
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Entertainment
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Some artists may appear with the kind co-operation and
consent of their respective management or agents.
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