Scottish Dance Callers

As well as those associated with Scottish Dance Bands, there are also some freelance callers out there. Here are a list of those who have given me their details.

I welcome details of any other callers who would like to be included in this list. I would just ask that it be restricted to Scottish Dance callers, and I will not publish contact information unless I am sure that the caller in question is happy with this.

There are the following indexes:

• Bands in Australasia
• Bands in England
• Bands in Europe
• Bands in Northern Ireland
• Bands in North America, including primarily Canada and the USA
• Bands in Scotland
• Bands in Wales
• Freelance callers.

Britain

Callers listed here are, in alphabetical order:

• Graeme Barrie, Central Scotland
• Caroline and Ian Brockbank, Edinburgh
• John M Caskie
• Henry Garfath,
• Karin Ingram, Borders
• Bryan Low, North East Scotland
• Tara McColl, Glasgow
• Kirsteen MacKinnon, Edinburgh
• Tricia Matthews, Glasgow
• Niall Mitchell, Middlesex
• Donald Ross, London
• Denis Shepherd, Aberdeen
• Simon Wales, London

Graeme Barrie

Based in:	Broxburn, covering the Borders, Central Scotland and most points north too! International work can be arranged too!
Style:	Ceilidh and Weddings
Contact:	Graeme Barrie Tel: 01506 852 411 Mobile: +44 (0)7973 343 684 Email: graeme@graemebarrie.com Web: www.graemebarrie.com

By day a self employed Health & Safety Consultant but in the evenings and at weekends, performing wherever the wedding reception is, Graeme is a well established dance caller and compere for a Scottish wedding. Working regularly with The Pentlands Ceilidh Band, Burns Brothers Ceilidh Band, The Lomond Ceilidh Band and Scott Leslie's Ceilidh Band. Over the years other bands have included The Gordons, Kilter, Annasach and The Reel Thing. Graeme is the one at weddings making sure it all happens the way it's supposed to, inviting the bridal party to the floor at the right time, then making sure the guests get up, get organised and get to have one of the most enjoyable evenings of their lives. Graeme can also provide a disco to work with the band if required.

Information supplied by Graeme Barrie <graeme@graemebarrie.com>.

Caroline and Ian Brockbank

Based in:	Edinburgh
Style:	Ceilidh and SCD, particularly children
Contact:	Caroline Brockbank (KidsEvents@scottishdance.net)

If you want a ceilidh for children, Caroline can run it for you. Caroline has been dancing since she was 5, and has many years of experience at calling and teaching scottish country and ceilidh dance. She started helping at her mother's children's class as a teenager, and now we have two small children, she has branched out into ceilidhs for nurserys and school-age children (with family welcome too).

Ideally children should be at least 3 years old and should have adults there to help, though older children can manage with their friends. If you're having trouble finding a band, we have contacts we can call on for you. Just email us to discuss your requirements and we'll see what we can do.

Information supplied by Ian Brockbank (ian@scottishdance.net).

John M Caskie

Based in:	Dumfries
Style:	Ceilidh, Old Time
Contact:	John M Caskie (j.caskie@virgin.net) Tel: +44 (0)1387 710975 Mobile: +44 (0)7711 573071

Experienced dance caller from South West Scotland, who has worked with many of the top Dance bands: James Coutts, Iain Cathcart, Gordon Shand, Ian Rankine, Gary Forrest, Paul Chamberlain "Bon Accords", Jean McConnachie at ceilidhs, weddings, scottish evenings etc. Not only a caller, John teaches Old Tyme dancing at two classes in Dumfries and has travelled to both teach and call all over Scotland and the North of England. Along with his calling capabilities John is a renowned singer and compere and fullfils the entire package of Compere, Caller, and Singer at many Scottish Evenings.

Henry Garfath

Based in:	London, Berks, Dorset, Hants, Surrey & Sussex
Style:	Ceilidh & Country Dance
Contact:	Henry Garfath (mail@abdc.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0)7092 035070 Web: www.abdc.freeserve.co.uk/callerK.html

Although I've called from St Andrews to Truro and from Boston, Mass to Stockton, CA I mainly operate in the London, Berks, Dorset, Hants, Surrey & Sussex areas.

Since I started calling in 1963 I have worked with my own band, any number of other bands and - of course - recorded music.

Karin Ingram

Based in:	Borders
Style:	Ceilidh & Old Time
Contact:	Karin Ingram (editor@boxandfiddle.com) Tel/Fax: [+44] (0)1450-850 262

Dance Caller Karin Ingram comes originally from Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, but now lives and works in the beautiful Scottish Borders. She was employed by The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust as the Dance Development Officer for that area for three years. Karin is now the Editor of "Box & Fiddle" and "Dance On!" magazines and has a traditional music show on Radio Borders on Sunday evenings.

She wrote a booklet of dance instruction which accompanies The Occasionals' second CD, "Back in Step", and having spent six months as Traditional Dance Artist in Residence with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association, Karin was involved in the creation of an education pack called "Sangs, Reels & High Jinks", and a similar one for the Scottish Borders Council.

Over the last fourteen years Karin has "called" with many bands including, The Glencraig SDB, The Glenelvan SDB, The Occasionals, The Galavanters, Marian Anderson, Eric Goodfellow, Stuart Anderson, Andrew Knight, Jock Borthwick, The Cutting Edge, MacNamara's Ceilidh Band, The Black Rose Ceilidh Band, Neil MacEachern, Davie Morrison, Jim Johnstone, John Carmichael, Kevin Clarke, Gordon Patullo, Mhairi Coutts, Duncan Black, Robert Black, Ian Muir & Ian Lowthian.

Karin was dance co-ordinator for the BBC's Hogmanay Show in 1996, 1997 & 2000 and for the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra video "The Fiddler's Party". She has several TV and radio appearances to her credit. She has organised many successful displays, dances and workshops for, amongst others, Tartan in the Park, Glasgow Fling, Mayfest, Beating the Retreat, Edinburgh Folk Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Scottish Youth Dance Festival, Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association. She also organises the popular "Island Fling" Traditional Dance weekend on the Isle of Skye.

Karin runs a weekly Ceilidh/Old Time Dance Class in The Morris Club, Newtongrange on Wednesday evenings. Live music is from Nicol McLaren, Stuart Anderson, Judith Linton, Charlie Todd, Andrew Knight or David Scott.

Please e-mail Karin at: editor@boxandfiddle.com.

Information supplied by Karin Ingram (editor@boxandfiddle.com).

Bryan Low

Based in:	North East Scotland, will travel.
Style:	Ceilidh
Contact:	Bryan Low (Bryan@ceilidhmor.com) Tel: [+44] (0)1651 873390

Called freelance in the Western Isles, and with the bands Ceart-ma-tha and Ceilidh Mor. Slowly building A Callers Guide to ceilidh dances, url: http://www.ceilidhmor.com/dances/.

Information supplied by Bryan Low (Bryan@ceilidhmor.com).

Tara McColl

Based in:	Glasgow (but willing to travel)
Style:	Ceilidh
Contact:	Tara McColl tel: [+44] (0) 771 8043607

I have worked with Mc Namaras Celidh band (Skye) and Rusty Nails Celidh band (Glasgow). My singing repertorie includes folk, traditional and contempory material. All types of work considered.

Information supplied by Tara McColl (JAMES.FINNIGAN@ntlworld.com)

Kirsteen MacKinnon

Based in:	Edinburgh
Style:	Ceilidh
Contact:	Kirsteen MacKinnon (dancecaller@blueyonder.co.uk) tel: [+44] (0) 131 468 4258 mobile: [+44] (0)7990514347 web site: www.dancecaller.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

I sing Irish, Scottish and Gaelic also a little country as well. I work frequently with the Pentlands Ceilidh band, also Annasach, Big Squeeze, Thunder Dogs and the Eden Ceilidh band. I have always sung and went through the Mod circuit and I started calling when I was singing with Macnamarra's Ceilidh Band in Skye.

Information supplied by Kirsteen MacKinnon (dancecaller@blueyonder.co.uk)

Tricia Matthew

Based in:	Glasgow
Style:	Ceilidh and Old Time
Contact:	Tricia Matthews (Tricia@ReelRevellers.freeserve.co.uk) tel: [+44] (0)1324 716855

I work with Kevin Clarke, Jim Johnstone, Eden Ceilidh Band, Big Squeeze, Annasach and various other bands.

I have also worked with Colin Dewar, JohnCarmichael, Eric Goodfellow, Black Rose, and numerious other well known bands, throughout Scotland. I am willing to travel and have my own transport. I have a large repotiore of Old Time and Ceilidh Dances and am involved with many dance projects.

If you are looking for a caller with a very good general knowledge of dances, from the most well known to the more obscure. I'm that person.

Information supplied by Tricia Matthews (Tricia@ReelRevellers.freeserve.co.uk)

Niall Mitchell

Based in:	Middlesex
Style:	Scottish Country Dance, Ceilidh and Barn Dance
Contact:	Niall Mitchell mobile: 07733 178428 email: niallmitchell@btinternet.com skype: niall_mitchell

I have been dancing since I was 7 and have attained teaching qualifications with both the ISTD and UKA, being a Licentiate of both.

I have taught evening classes for both Beginners and Advanced Dancers for the local authority and currently teach & call for all standards of Dancers at Heston & District Scottish Association.

I am an experienced Scottish Country Dance, Ceilidh, and Barn Dance Caller and MC with over 25 years experience working with various Scottish Country Dance and Ceilidh Bands and recorded music at events ranging from full Highland Balls, Ceilidh Dances, Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries to Barn Dances.

I am based in Middlesex and will work in London and the South, although would consider going further afield.

I can also provide contact details for Dancers, Pipers and Bands if required.

I am half of the singing duo 'The East Coast Lads', who regularly perform mainly Scottish Folk and Traditional Songs at local Ceilidhs and Charitable Events. We have also released 2 CD's of Songs, the proceeds of which were donated to Scottish and Local Charities.

Information provided by Niall Mitchell.

Donald Ross

Based in:	London
Style:	Scottish Ceilidh
Contact:	Donald Ross tel: (020) 8203 0626 web: www.donald-ross.co.uk

Experienced musician with limited knowledge of Calling, but most willing to learn. London-based with own transport and own Mic, etc, if required. Good appearance, diction and clear instruction. Scottish ceilidh, only. Quite good availability.

Information supplied by Donald Ross.

Denis Shepherd

Based in:	Aberdeen
Style:	Ceilidh & Old Time
Contact:	Denis Shepherd (DENISJSHEPHERD@aol.com) Tel: 01224 643734

My name is Denis Shepherd. I am a dance caller, previously with Airs and Graces now Fittiefolk but willing to call with any bands looking for a caller. Experience of most ceilidh dances.

Simon Wales

Based in:	London but will work anywhere!
Style:	Ceilidh and Scottish Country Dance
Contact:	Simon Wales (simon_wales@talk21.com) Tel: +44 (0)20 8643 0952 (evenings) Mob: +44 (0)7803 270740

An experienced caller working regularly with Kafoozalum, Green Ginger, Invercauld, Reel Accord and Kirk Sessions bands. Regular caller for the Ceilidh Club events at Cecil Sharp House, London. About 20 years experience of working as the 'front man' of the band for weddings and all sorts of parties, large and small.

I also work abroad with the MacLennan Scottish Group and am happy calling in various European languages.

I can also provide dancers, pipers and other musicians if required.

Information provided by Simon Wales.

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This page is maintained by Ian Brockbank
ian@scottishdance.net
Edinburgh, Scotland