HotScotch Ceilidh band has a vast wealth of experience in entertaining audiences throughout Scotland, the UK and abroad. The combination of Accordion, Fiddle and Drums providing a dynamic, well-balanced sound for a superb night of Ceilidh Dancing for your wedding Graduation or ceilidh night.
An evening of Ceilidh Dancing with HotScotch is ideal for your next Christmas Party, Graduation ball, Conference, Promotional Event, or to welcome International visitors, and all other types of Social Functions.
HotScotch can also offer a professional Disco to cater for all tastes and ages. An experienced, professional DJ with a vast library of music from 50s/60s, 70s 80s right up to the current chart hits. HotScotch comes with a professional lighting rig which includes LED and Laser effects. A smoke machine can also be linked, although this is dependent on fire regulations of the venue.
Weddings:
Choosing your first dance can be a tricky task, and you can either have a song that is special to you, or a first waltz selected by the band.
Paul, the dance caller, will call the dances helping those who have never done ceilidh dancing before. All the old favourites are covered such as The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant, Flying Scotsman, Military Two-Step, Eightsome Reel, Canadian Barn Dance, as well as some less well known, but equally fun dances.
The Ceilidh usually finishes up with a big Orcadian Strip the Willow to bring everybody back on the floor with the bride and groom at the top of the set to start things off.
The Band members-
Paul Chamberlain
Accordion & Dance Caller
Paul is an accomplished accordionist and has won many competitions with his playing in both classical and Scottish music styles. He graduated with a Masters in Music (performance) from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has performed around Europe and the USA. He formed HotScotch Ceilidh Band in 2006, and his arrangements and lively style of playing bring a fresh feel to the music. A former British accordion champion, Paul represented the UK at the accordion world championships in Croatia in 2010. He is a teacher of both Accordion and Piano in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders
Michael Haywood
Fiddle
A virtuosic performer on both Fiddle and sax, Michael has appeared in many leading venues including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sage Gateshead, The Barbican London, and has played on BBC Radio Scotland.
He qualified with an honours degree in folk and traditional music and is now a highly respected session musician. Michael was selected to join the prestigious Live Music Now scheme, founded by Yehudi Menuhin and has provided hundreds of concerts across the UK and abroad.
Jim Walker
Drums
Born in Canada, Jim came back to his roots in Scotland in 1984. His skills as a player and teacher of pipe band drumming, percussion and kit drumming have long been recognised. He adds an inventive and compelling rhythmic structure to the Ceilidh band. For several years, he toured with Ceolbeg and has also played with Ally Bain & Phil Cunningham and Sandy Brechin.
Ceilidh Music is ideal entertainment for a celebration or party. HotScotch has a lively style of playing, and the band will go above and beyond to ensure that everyone is up on their feet and having a great time. Everyone from experienced ceilidh dancers to casual party-goers is included.
Whatever your event, Hire HotScotch and make sure it’s a memorable occasion for all involved!
