Black Isle Ceilidh Band

We're a ceilidh dance band based on the Black Isle near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

Our friendly band is Kenny Fraser (fiddle), Hugh Marwick (whistle) and Chris Rasdale (guitar). We're long established on the Scottish music and ceilidh dance scene and our sound is authentically traditional, with a repertoire of Highland pipe tunes, Scottish country dancing and session tunes.

We play at ceilidh dances, weddings, functions, traditional music sessions and community events around the local area of Fortrose, Rosemarkie, Avoch, Cromarty, Munlochy and North Kessock. We'll also travel to Inverness, Dingwall, Nairn, Forres, Tain and further into the nether regions of the Highlands...

We play for the Dashing White Sergeant, Strip The Willow, Gay Gordons, Canadian Barn Dance, Highland Schottische, Virginia Reel, Eightsome Reel, Military Two Step, St Bernard's Waltz and other popular ceilidh dance favourites. We have some fun dances for families with children and some dances you may not have done before - we'll talk you through those! We also have a a few songs up our sleeve.

Next ceilidhs

Local community

We'll be returning to Eden Court Theatre in Inverness again for two ceilidhs on Sunday 29th December 2024: an afternoon family ceilidh at 3pm and an evening ceilidh at 7pm. See more details and buy tickets here.

We'll be playing for the North Kessock Village Hall New Year's Day fundraising dance again, on Wednesday 1st January 2025.

Private functions

We have private functions lined up in 2024 and 2025 around Inverness, including at the Lochardil Hotel, Munlochy Hall, the Dingwall British Legion Club, Findon Hall in Culbokie, the Golf View Hotel in Nairn and The Loft near Forres.

Where have we played recently?

We've played in recent years for local functions, community and charity events around the Black Isle and Inverness area, as well as further afield in the Highlands.

We've played for Black Isle community ceilidh dances at North Kessock Village Hall, Resolis Memorial Hall and Rosemarkie Gordon Memorial Hall. We played for a Ukrainian community family ceilidh organised by Crown Connects at the Wasps Inverness Creative Academy. In June 2024 we played at The Gathering festival at Bught Park in Inverness.

We've also played for private functions at the Kingsmills Hotel, Bogbain Farm, the Royal Highland Hotel, Glen Mhor Hotel and Corriegarth Hotel in Inverness, Loch Ness Country House Hotel, the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer, Strathpeffer Pavilion, Rosemarkie Gordon Memorial Hall, Black Isle Yurts, Avoch and Poyntzfield on the Black Isle, Wildwoodz near Munlochy, Boat of Garten Community Hall, the Argyllshire Gathering Halls in Oban, Inch Hotel in Fort Augustus, Alvie near Kincraig, Roybridge and Gairloch Sands.

"We've finally come back down to earth after all the celebrations and clear up etc and I just want to say a massive thanks to you and the band for Saturday night. We were told by multiple people that it was 'the best ceilidh ever'! I think the fact that the dance floor was so packed the entire ceilidh was testament to how much everyone was enjoying themselves. Really appreciate all that you did, it really made the night. There were several ceilidh newbies who are total converts now, so I think that proves the success..."

E&J - Black Isle

"A big thanks to you, Chris and Hugh for delivering a great evening - the mix of new and familiar dances was just right and many said they had a most enjoyable night..."

TP - Speyside

In September 2024 we played for the Highland Hill Runners ceilidh dance.

In May 2024 we played for a community garden fundraising ceilidh dance at Croy Village Hall.

In September 2023 and January 2024 we played for community ceilidhs at Rosemarkie Gordon Memorial Hall for Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council.

In July 2023 and June 2024 we played for the Coigach Gathering dance at Coigach Community Hall.

In August 2022 we played for the Summer Festival Ceilidh at Brodie Castle.

During Winter 2021 we played at the Botanic House live music venue in Inverness for popular ceilidh club nights.

Cool Ceilidhs For Kids

We organised free Cool Ceilidhs For Kids ceilidh dance workshops for Black Isle families with primary-age children between June and October 2022. This project was supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

We organised another successful family Cool Ceilidhs workshop and community ceilidh dance in October/November 2024 at Rosemarkie Gordon Memorial Hall. The project was funded by Friends of Highland Music.