The Scotsman Scottish musician and ceilidh caller based in Australia

The requirements depend on the size of band you book. For a ceilidh we require at least a 5x5, dancefloor and a stage area for the band.

We need to know any directions that will help us find the venue and find the right place to load in our equipment. We’d also need to be informed if there’s a sound limiter in the venue.

The PA and lighting requirements depend on the services/band size you book however we are able to provide all PA and lighting for an additional fee. Get in touch for more information

Yes we are happy to play spotify music before and between our sets and can work with you to create a playlist. I can also offer a Spotify/DJ service for after our sets however additional fees apply.

All gigs are different but two of the best I have done would be
1. Performing at the opening of the Australian Celtic Festival 2023 running a ceilidh for over 500 people. The atmosphere was electric and wrangling hundreds of people to learn a dance in under 5 mintues was incredible. The marquee was bouncing!
2. My show, Distant Shores, was part of the Melbourne Tartan Festival. It was an intimate afternoon of celtic music dating back 200 years. You could hear a pin drop at times and a chorus of audience voices at others. Everyone left feeling a real connection with the music.

I love playing at all sorts of events but weddings with ceilidh dancing is the best! Ceilidhs are the greatest ice-breaker and seeing everyone from the 5 year old kids to the 80 year old granparents up on the floor dancing together is really special. There is also just something incredible about weddings, everyone is in the mood to have a good time and our music seems to suit this perfectly.

I've been singing for years and started teaching ceilidh dancing at age 16, now over 20 years ago. In those 20 years I've taught people all around the world to dance from small intimate weddings in Scotland to 200 exchange students in Italy.

I moved over to Australia in 2022 and have been gigging around the country since then playing at some of the major Celtic and folk festivals through to weddings and corporates as well as a number of pub, winery and distillery gigs.

As a Scotsman I would say The Corries or Dougie Maclean, their songs have lasted decades and will continue to be played long after I'm gone. That kind of songwriting is something rare and, despite being thousands of miles from home, I still find people singing along to these songs at every gig I play.

I also love bands like Mumford and Sons, their mastery of instruments is incredible and we love to take these songs into our setlists but try to put our own spin on them with harmonies and fun solos.

For small intimate weddings, solo is a great option. You can still have ceilidh dancing with a caller but the solo performance creates a personal feel.

For bigger events (60+) our main band, The Stovies, offer a truely unique experience with beautiful 3 part harmonies and a great selection of songs. This gives you a full band experience and you don't have to comprimise on any part of the entertainment.

For music alone we normally arrive 1 hour before the performance for setup and sound check. We do 3 x 45 minute sets but happy to play for as long as is required. For ceilidh events, we split the night into 4 sets, 2 x 45 min music and 2 x 45 minute dance sets, this avoids people getting too tired and lets them get to the bar to replenish their energy levels. Of course, we are happy to work around the venue or event and can provide whatever is needed

Happy to perform outside as long as there is shade (the Australian heat can be a killer for people and instruments) and as long as there is a reliable power source.

Clients are welcome to have a say in what we play however most events require a bit of discretion from the band. Whilst we will make sure we play whatever you have asked for, we will use our judgement as to what songs to play when. We have a lot of experience playing at weddings and events so have a good idea of how to read the room.

"Wildly entertaining, brimming with talent, all heart and kilt! Being in the audience at one of their gigs is like going on a journey through the Scottish landscape with yer best mate! and maybe with a scotch in hand"