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:
| 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>.
| 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).
| 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.
| 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.
| 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).
| 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).
| 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)
| 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 Pentland 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)
| 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)
| 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.
| 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.

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