Caller-led Scottish dance — the participatory format
Hire Ceilidh Bands
Ceilidh bands for weddings, Burns Night and parties - hear the band, agree the dances and the caller, and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Ceilidh Bands
A ceilidh band plays traditional Scottish and Irish dance music - reels, jigs and waltzes - with a caller who teaches each dance, so no one needs to know the steps. It suits weddings, Burns Night and parties. On GigXchange the folk and Celtic acts range from solo players to bands. See also the Burns Night guide.
Booking Playbook
Scottish weddings · Burns Night · Themed corporate · Cross-border weddings. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookBurns Night (25 January) and summer weddings go first - 6 to 12 months ahead. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: two dance sets of 45 to 60 minutes, each dance taught by the caller first. Agree the caller, the dances, the floor space, the PA and the finish. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. No caller. A ceilidh needs one - check it is included. 2. Too little floor. Sets need room for lines of dancers. 3. No plan for a mixed crowd. Ask for easy dances first. 4. Burns Night clashes. 25 January books out early. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
Pick Your Ceilidh Band
What each size of ceilidh band is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Duo plus callerFiddle with accordion or guitar, and a caller who teaches each dance from the stage. Suits: Small halls, village dances and smaller parties. |
| 3 to 4 pieceFiddle and accordion leading the tunes, guitar or bass and often drums underneath, plus a caller. Suits: Most weddings and Burns Night parties - the sound that gets every age on the floor. |
| Full bandFive or more players, adding pipes, whistles or a second fiddle for a bigger, louder sound. Suits: Big rooms, Burns Night suppers and large weddings. |
| PiperA solo bagpiper, often in Highland dress, for the arrival, piping in the haggis or the ceremony exit. Suits: Burns Night and Scottish weddings, alongside the band. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and folk and Celtic acts of every size can apply.
Ceilidh Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| WeddingsTwo dance sets after the meal, the caller teaching each dance. Agree: Floor space and the finish. |
| Burns NightA piper for the haggis, then the ceilidh. Agree: The date early - see the Burns Night guide. |
| Parties and fundraisersA ceilidh that gets every age dancing. Agree: Easy dances first. |
| Corporate eventsA team night with dances taught from scratch. Agree: The room and the timings. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £281–£474 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Traditional ceilidh dance set
| Strip the Willow — universal opener |
| Dashing White Sergeant — three-couples format |
| Gay Gordons — couples-only, quick to teach |
| Eightsome Reel — eight-person formation |
| The Flying Scotsman — fast, requires confident caller |
| The Dashing Quadrille — four-couples |
| Virginia Reel — Scottish-American crossover |
| Highland Schottische — couples, slower tempo |
| The Reel of the 51st Division — wartime classic |
Burns Night cultural anchors
| Auld Lang Syne — closing song |
| A Man's a Man for A' That — Burns' egalitarian anthem |
| Ae Fond Kiss — Burns' love song |
| My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose — fiddle-led |
| Scots Wha Hae — patriotic opener |
Piping repertoire (separate piper)
| A Man's a Man for A' That — haggis processional |
| Highland Cathedral — closing ceremonial |
| Scotland the Brave — patriotic opener |
| The Black Bear — quick march for haggis bearer |
Supper interlude / softer fiddle
| The Skye Boat Song |
| Mairi's Wedding (slower arrangement) |
| Wild Mountain Thyme |
| Loch Lomond |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Ceilidh Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Edinburgh / Glasgow flagship venues
| Prestonfield House (Edinburgh), The Witchery — Burns Suppers |
| Edinburgh Castle private hire — premium ceremonial |
| Glasgow City Chambers, Corinthian Club — civic to grassroots |
Scottish wedding venues
| Glenapp Castle, Boturich Castle, Mar Hall — premium ceilidh weddings |
| Dalhousie Castle, Prestonfield House (Edinburgh) — heritage Scottish weddings |
| Cameron House (Loch Lomond) — country house ceilidh |
London Scottish-society Burns Night
| The Caledonian Club Belgravia — flagship London Burns Supper |
| Royal Over-Seas League, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards — regimental dinners |
| Country house hotels in Berkshire/Surrey — diaspora bookings |
England-wide country house ceilidh weddings
| Cotswold barn weddings with Scottish couple/family bookings |
| Lake District country house ceilidh weddings |
| Yorkshire moors / Dales ceilidh festival weddings |
Themed corporate
| Burns Night dinners across the City of London livery halls |
| Themed Scottish corporate retreats and team-building events |
| St Andrew's Day (30 November) corporate ceilidh nights |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a wedding? See live music for a wedding.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
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When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
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Ready to Book a ceilidh band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Hire Ceilidh Bands
Ceilidh bands for weddings, Burns Night and parties - hear the band, agree the dances and the caller, and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Ceilidh Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book ceilidh bands direct in the UK. 19 folk and Celtic acts are on the platform - 12 of them trios and bands, the rest solo and duo acts, booked for scottish weddings, burns night, themed corporate and cross-border weddings. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A ceilidh band plays traditional Scottish and Irish dance music - reels, jigs and waltzes - with a caller who teaches each dance, so no one needs to know the steps. It suits weddings, Burns Night and parties. On GigXchange the folk and Celtic acts range from solo players to bands. See also the Burns Night guide.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct - 12 trios and bands, the rest solo and duo acts. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse Folk and Celtic Acts
All 19 folk and Celtic acts on GigXchange. Filter by line-up and region, then open a profile to listen and message. Every profile has a message button, and most carry music to play and a fee range.
Pick Your Ceilidh Band
What each size of ceilidh band is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Duo plus callerFiddle with accordion or guitar, and a caller who teaches each dance from the stage.Suits: Small halls, village dances and smaller parties.
- 3 to 4 pieceFiddle and accordion leading the tunes, guitar or bass and often drums underneath, plus a caller.Suits: Most weddings and Burns Night parties - the sound that gets every age on the floor.
- Full bandFive or more players, adding pipes, whistles or a second fiddle for a bigger, louder sound.Suits: Big rooms, Burns Night suppers and large weddings.
- PiperA solo bagpiper, often in Highland dress, for the arrival, piping in the haggis or the ceremony exit.Suits: Burns Night and Scottish weddings, alongside the band.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and folk and Celtic acts of every size can apply.
Ceilidh Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- WeddingsTwo dance sets after the meal, the caller teaching each dance.Agree: Floor space and the finish.
- Burns NightA piper for the haggis, then the ceilidh.Agree: The date early - see the Burns Night guide.
- Parties and fundraisersA ceilidh that gets every age dancing.Agree: Easy dances first.
- Corporate eventsA team night with dances taught from scratch.Agree: The room and the timings.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Scottish weddings · Burns Night · Themed corporate · Cross-border weddings. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Burns Night (25 January) and summer weddings go first - 6 to 12 months ahead. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: two dance sets of 45 to 60 minutes, each dance taught by the caller first. Agree the caller, the dances, the floor space, the PA and the finish.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. No caller. A ceilidh needs one - check it is included. 2. Too little floor. Sets need room for lines of dancers. 3. No plan for a mixed crowd. Ask for easy dances first. 4. Burns Night clashes. 25 January books out early. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,647 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £281–£474 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Traditional ceilidh dance set
- Strip the Willowuniversal opener
- Dashing White Sergeantthree-couples format
- Gay Gordonscouples-only, quick to teach
- Eightsome Reeleight-person formation
- The Flying Scotsmanfast, requires confident caller
- The Dashing Quadrillefour-couples
- Virginia ReelScottish-American crossover
- Highland Schottischecouples, slower tempo
- The Reel of the 51st Divisionwartime classic
Burns Night cultural anchors
- Auld Lang Syneclosing song
- A Man's a Man for A' ThatBurns' egalitarian anthem
- Ae Fond KissBurns' love song
- My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rosefiddle-led
- Scots Wha Haepatriotic opener
Piping repertoire (separate piper)
- A Man's a Man for A' Thathaggis processional
- Highland Cathedralclosing ceremonial
- Scotland the Bravepatriotic opener
- The Black Bearquick march for haggis bearer
Supper interlude / softer fiddle
- The Skye Boat Song
- Mairi's Wedding (slower arrangement)
- Wild Mountain Thyme
- Loch Lomond
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Ceilidh Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Edinburgh / Glasgow flagship venues
- Prestonfield House (Edinburgh), The WitcheryBurns Suppers
- Edinburgh Castle private hirepremium ceremonial
- Glasgow City Chambers, Corinthian Clubcivic to grassroots
Scottish wedding venues
- Glenapp Castle, Boturich Castle, Mar Hallpremium ceilidh weddings
- Dalhousie Castle, Prestonfield House (Edinburgh)heritage Scottish weddings
- Cameron House (Loch Lomond)country house ceilidh
London Scottish-society Burns Night
- The Caledonian Club Belgraviaflagship London Burns Supper
- Royal Over-Seas League, Royal Scots Dragoon Guardsregimental dinners
- Country house hotels in Berkshire/Surreydiaspora bookings
England-wide country house ceilidh weddings
- Cotswold barn weddings with Scottish couple/family bookings
- Lake District country house ceilidh weddings
- Yorkshire moors / Dales ceilidh festival weddings
Themed corporate
- Burns Night dinners across the City of London livery halls
- Themed Scottish corporate retreats and team-building events
- St Andrew's Day (30 November) corporate ceilidh nights
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a wedding? See live music for a wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book a ceilidh band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.