Black Isle Ceilidh Band

Cool Ceilidhs for Kids

A project aimed at encouraging children to get involved in Scottish traditional music and dance.

We delivered fun, free workshops, giving children and their families the chance to experience the magic of live traditional music, learn dances that are part of the ceilidh repertoire, and sing some songs. The emphasis was on a relaxed, fun and open-minded environment, where all are welcome.

Read more about Cool Ceilidhs at the Ross-shire Journal and see photos of our Avoch Cool Ceilidh.

Read reviews from participants.

photos James Mackenzie / Ross-shire Journal

Where did the events take place?

Our ceilidh workshops took place throughout the Black Isle between 25th June and 2nd October 2022. Parent Councils from local primary schools provided refreshments at each event.

photo James Mackenzie / Ross-shire Journal

We played for a final Community Ceilidh at the Rosemarkie Gordon Memorial Hall on . Open to the Black Isle community, young and old, it attracted over 100 local participants, including families from the Cool Ceilidhs For Kids who'd been learning the dances. Avoch Primary Parent Council provided tea and cake!

Supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland

Reviews from participants

Munlochy workshop

“We had such a great time. Dances pitched perfectly for the children. Full dance floor for every dance is always a great sign! Thank you.”
“Love the music, dance, lots of fun, great to see/dance with friends. Yummy cakes and superb bottomless drinks for kids. Thank you very much.”
“Lovely fun, family event. Good luck with the project – great idea!”
“We all enjoyed it – thank you so much – look forward to the ceilidh.”
“Brilliant family event, even when not dancing it was great to be around the music and noise.”
“Lots of fun and great to see our community coming together.”
“This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you for putting it on! Good wholesome family fun!”

Avoch workshop

“Really good to see everyone involved in a ceilidh after forgetting it all in lockdown. Great fun! Band and commentators were fab too!”
“Fantastic afternoon. Great musicians. Kids had fun. Thank you!”
“Great fun, good to get back to ceilidhs again. More needed.”
“Double thumbs up from James!”
“Excellent music and great teaching. A good fun event. Many thanks.”
“A big thank you for a great afternoon. We had never been to a ceilidh before and had great fun.”
“Really fun – would be great outside – weather permitting!”
“Brilliant, we all loved it. Thanks!”
“Loved it. Great atmosphere. So friendly. Fab music and dancing. Thank you.”

Resolis workshop

“Great idea. Kids loved it.”
“Fantastic event, well organised, good fun, really inclusive and friendly atmosphere. Great to see kids and families having fun and learning together. Thank you!”
“Clear instructions. Kids loved it, really enjoyed the music. It was a good size so not too daunting or rowdy to learn.”
“We really appreciated this being available locally – we are a small rural community so it’s great these things happen here!”
“Absolutely fantastic! Great manner with kids and adults – great fun. Wonderful opportunity to learn Scottish dances – so important for the culture and heritage of children of Scotland. Thank you.”

Culbokie workshop

“Good fun!”
“Really liked the dancing and mix of led dances and free dance. It was great for the kids to learn ceilidh dancing and we all had lots of fun – the adults too!!”
“It was brilliant!”
“Really enjoyed it. Great to expose the children to ceilidh dancing.”

Cromarty workshop

“A Cool Ceilidh for Kids for Muir of Ord, please.”
“Thank you – it was wonderful.”
“Great fun. Great musicians. We loved it and so clear for my daughter’s first ceilidh. Thank you.”
“Excellent idea – wish it could be done more often.”

Tore workshop

“Would love to attend more events.”
“Lively jivey music. Great fun with kids, parents and people in the community. Thanks very much!”
“Absolutely brilliant! Thank you so much!”
“Great fun, hopefully see you all again.”

North Kessock workshop

“Great event, would pay to take my children to events like this.”
“It should happen more often!”
“Music was fantastic and a great way to get kids into Scottish music, My two boys had an absolute blast. Thank you.”
“Absolutely loved it and was saying it would be lovely to have this as a monthly thing over the winter. Amazing!”
“Well organised. Very enjoyable. Daughter was nervous at start but songs got her involved and really wants to go on to another ceilidh soon. Thank you.”
“Amazing!!”
“Accessible and fun ceilidh with some different dances.”
“Great dance calling and tunes, good venue with good floor and teas.”

Rosemarkie final ceilidh

“Great idea, great fun, very good for maintaining cultural heritage. More please.”
“Lovely family event!”
“M has learning difficulties and it was very welcoming and inclusive. Great events!”
“Brilliant!! A great welcoming family event! Thank you.”
“All good. Thank you.”
“I think it should be once a month.”
“Excellent afternoon. Great fun, the whole family enjoyed it. Fantastic time of day for little ones. Thank you.”
“Great event, enjoyed by all ages (especially kids).”
“Good for families and great fun.”
“Good family event, amazing band.”
“Fantastic band and really good set dances explained well for the beginners and the pace great for the experienced.”
“Brilliant event, great to see so many people from the community of all ages involved.”
“The band was excellent. I would have liked a few more of the more common dances but it was also great to learn some new ones! I loved it!”
“Brilliant fun.”