One Man Ceilidh Band Live Scottish ceilidh music with accordion, bass, foot percussion and calling

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Price Guide

Description Price
One Man Ceilidh Band, live Scottish ceilidh with professional dance calling£714
Optional disco add-on with your ceilidh booking£350
Wedding ceremony music add-on to an evening ceilidh booking£350
Ceremony and drinks reception add-on to an evening ceilidh booking£495
Prices shown are starting prices and include VAT. Final quotations depend on the event date, location, performance duration and individual requirements. The disco is an optional add-on to your ceilidh booking. Wedding ceremony music (£350) and the combined ceremony and drinks reception package (£495) are alternative add-ons when booked alongside an evening ceilidh at the same venue. Standalone daytime performances are quoted separately. Additional travel, accommodation or extended waiting-time charges may apply. A booking contract and 20% deposit are required to secure your date.

About / Biography

One Man Ceilidh Band - Live Scottish Ceilidh Entertainment

A complete Scottish ceilidh experience, all from one musician!

Looking for the excitement of a live Scottish ceilidh band without the cost or space requirements of a larger group? My One Man Ceilidh Band brings traditional Scottish dance music, lively entertainment and professional dance calling to weddings, parties, corporate events and celebrations throughout Scotland and beyond.

I'm Charlie Abel, a professional accordionist and the founder of Iron Broo Ceilidh Band. I've been entertaining audiences since 1992, performing at everything from intimate private parties to major venues and international events.

How does a One Man Ceilidh Band work?

Using live accordion, MIDI bass and foot percussion, I create a surprisingly full and energetic sound while maintaining the spontaneity and excitement of a live performance. Everything is performed by one musician, making it particularly suitable for smaller venues, intimate celebrations and events where space or budget is limited.

And there's much more to a successful ceilidh than the music!

Professional dance calling included

I'll guide your guests through the dances using a radio microphone, explaining each dance clearly before we begin and calling the steps throughout. Whether your guests are experienced ceilidh dancers or complete beginners, everyone can join in and enjoy themselves.

From Strip the Willow and the Gay Gordons to the Dashing White Sergeant and many more Scottish favourites, I'll tailor the programme to your audience and occasion.

Ideal for weddings, parties and corporate entertainment

Whether you're planning a Scottish wedding, birthday celebration, Burns Night, corporate function or an international event with a Scottish theme, I can tailor the performance to suit your requirements.

Professional sound equipment is provided, and I can help plan the entertainment and running order to keep your event flowing smoothly.

Experience you can trust

As the founder of Iron Broo Ceilidh Band, I've helped entertain guests at over 1,000 weddings, as well as performing at festivals, private celebrations and events across the UK and internationally.

My aim is simple: fantastic Scottish music, a friendly atmosphere and a dance floor full of happy people.

Get in touch to discuss your event, check availability and receive a personalised quotation.


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Location

Based in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

Will travel up to 500 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 500 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 50 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Sample Repertoire

The Gay Gordons (Traditional)

The Dashing White Sergeant (Traditional)

Strip the Willow (Traditional)

The Canadian Barn Dance (Traditional)

The Military Two Step (Traditional)

St Bernard's Waltz (Traditional)

The Flying Scotsman (Traditional)

The Circassian Circle (Traditional)

The Virginia Reel (Traditional)

Orcadian Strip the Willow (Traditional)

The Eightsome Reel (Traditional)

The Highland Schottische (Traditional)

The Britannia Two Step (Traditional)

The Riverside Jig (Traditional)

Cumberland Square Eight (Traditional)

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

One of the advantages of booking my One Man Ceilidh Band is that I require very little space. A small, level performance area of approximately 2m x 2m and access to a standard 13-amp power socket are generally all I need. I'll bring my own equipment and take care of the setup. Convenient parking and reasonable access for loading and unloading are appreciated.


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes! I'm completely self-contained and provide my own professional sound system, including amplification for my live accordion, MIDI bass, foot percussion and wireless microphone for dance calling. Suitable lighting can also be arranged where required. You don't need to organise a separate sound engineer or PA system for a typical performance.


What information do you require about a venue?

I'll need the venue's address, approximate number of guests, available performance space and details of the event schedule. Please also let me know about any access restrictions, sound limiters or special requirements. For outdoor events, suitable weather protection and a safe electricity supply are essential. I'm happy to liaise directly with your venue to make arrangements.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely! I can provide recorded background music before and between my live ceilidh sets, subject to the arrangements agreed for your event. If you're looking for a complete evening of entertainment, a disco option can also be arranged, featuring popular hits and party favourites alongside the traditional Scottish ceilidh music. Just let me know what you have in mind and I'll put together a suitable package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

I've been fortunate enough to perform at some incredible venues around the world, but playing the ceilidh tent at T in the Park eight times with Iron Broo Ceilidh Band was particularly memorable. There's something special about thousands of people enjoying traditional Scottish music together! Selling out Aberdeen Music Hall was another career highlight. I've also performed internationally, but sometimes the most memorable gigs are intimate celebrations where everyone gets involved.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

Scottish traditional dance music has been central to my musical career, although my tastes and performance experience extend far beyond ceilidh music. I've played with Scottish dance bands, wedding bands and groups performing everything from country music to pop. All those experiences have influenced my playing. For me, the best music is music that brings people together, and there's nothing quite like a cracking set of reels with a dance floor full of people enjoying themselves.


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

I started playing accordion when I was 15 and quickly realised that music was going to be a huge part of my life. I've been performing professionally for decades and founded Iron Broo Ceilidh Band in 1992. Since then, I've helped entertain guests at over 1,000 weddings and performed throughout Scotland, across the UK and internationally. My experience includes traditional Scottish dance bands, weddings, festivals, corporate entertainment and international performances. The One Man Ceilidh Band brings all that experience together in a compact, versatile and entertaining solo performance.


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

I particularly enjoy weddings and private celebrations where guests of all ages and backgrounds come together. There's nothing better than seeing people who've never danced a ceilidh in their lives getting involved and having an absolute ball! I also love international events where I can introduce people to Scottish music and dancing for the very first time. Every event is different, and that's part of what makes this job so enjoyable.Copy


How can one musician sound like a full ceilidh band?

I play the accordion live, using MIDI bass and foot percussion to create the rich, rhythmic sound of a much larger band. It's an energetic, authentic live performance, not simply someone pressing play on backing tracks! You get the excitement and spontaneity of live Scottish dance music with the convenience and affordability of a single musician.


Is a One Man Ceilidh Band suitable for weddings and larger events?

Certainly! My solo setup works particularly well for intimate weddings, private parties and venues where space is limited. With professional amplification, I can also entertain larger gatherings. If you'd prefer the additional sound and stage presence of several musicians, I can offer larger line-ups through Iron Broo Ceilidh Band, subject to availability.


How do we secure our booking?

Simply send me your event date, venue and an idea of what you're planning. I'll confirm availability and provide a quotation tailored to your requirements. Once we've agreed on the arrangements, I'll issue a booking contract and request a 20% deposit to secure your date. Everything is agreed in advance, so you know exactly what to expect.Copy answer


Can you provide a ceilidh and disco for our event?

Absolutely! As well as my live One Man Ceilidh Band, I can provide a disco to keep the party going. Enjoy traditional Scottish dancing followed by your favourite pop, rock and party hits. It's an ideal combination for weddings, birthdays and corporate events, giving you a complete evening of entertainment without booking separate suppliers. Just ask for a combined ceilidh and disco quotation.


Can you provide music for our wedding ceremony and drinks reception?

Yes! As well as my evening ceilidh performances, I can provide live accordion music for your wedding ceremony and drinks reception. From welcoming your guests to providing music during the ceremony and afterwards, I can help create a complete Scottish wedding experience. Special package prices are available when booked alongside your evening ceilidh.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

As a One Man Ceilidh Band, my setup is relatively straightforward. I normally allow approximately an hour to set up and soundcheck, although this depends on the venue and access arrangements. Performances are completely flexible, from a short ceilidh to a full evening of Scottish entertainment. A typical wedding ceilidh runs over several hours, with suitable breaks, and I can work around your buffet, speeches and other arrangements. We'll agree on a schedule beforehand to make sure everything runs smoothly.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Absolutely! Outdoor ceilidhs can be fantastic, particularly during the Scottish summer. However, my instruments and electrical equipment need proper protection from the weather. I'll require a suitable covered performance area, a firm, level and dry surface, and access to a safe power supply. For outdoor events, it's always sensible to have a contingency plan in case the Scottish weather decides not to cooperate!


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

Of course! I have a huge repertoire of traditional Scottish ceilidh music and can tailor the dances to suit your guests. Whether you'd like the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant or something a little different, I'm happy to discuss your preferences. I provide professional dance calling throughout, so even complete beginners can join in. I can also accommodate special requests, including particular Scottish tunes, with sufficient notice. My aim is to create the perfect ceilidh for your occasion.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Lively, friendly, professional and great fun! The feedback I particularly appreciate is from customers who tell me that even their guests who had never danced a ceilidh before thoroughly enjoyed themselves. With lively Scottish accordion music, a surprisingly full sound and clear, enthusiastic dance calling, I aim to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Whether you're eight or eighty, an experienced dancer or an absolute beginner, the idea is to have a cracking time!


What if our guests have never danced at a ceilidh before?

Absolutely no problem! In fact, introducing complete beginners to Scottish ceilidh dancing is one of my favourite parts of the job. I'll explain each dance, demonstrate the steps where necessary and call the instructions throughout using my wireless microphone. You don't need any previous experience, just a willingness to have fun!


Can you tailor the entertainment to our event?

Absolutely. No two ceilidhs are quite the same! I'll tailor the dances, music and running order to suit your guests, venue and occasion. Whether you want a short, energetic ceilidh, traditional Scottish wedding entertainment or a complete evening with recorded music, we can put together a programme that works for you.Copy answer

Recent Clients

One Man Ceilidh Band has performed for these clients:

Shell

BP

British Chamber of Commerce in Latvia

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Council

University of Edinburgh

University of Dundee

University of Glasgow

William Grant & Sons

Venues

One Man Ceilidh Band has performed at these venues:

Aberdeen Music Hall (Iron Broo Ceilidh Band)

Aberdeen Beach Ballroom (Iron Broo Ceilidh Band)

Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro

Dunnottar Castle (Iron Broo Ceilidh Band)

Drumtochty Castle (Iron Broo Ceilidh Band)

University of Dresden, Germany

Radisson Hotel, Stavanger, Norway

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

St. George's International School, Luxembourg

More Info

Events types:

Wedding

Birthday Party

Private Event

Corporate Event

Hotel / Restaurant Event

Bar / Venue Event

Funeral / Memorial

Concert

Religious Event

Recording Session

Cruise

Virtual Event

Charity Event

Burns Night

Christmas Party

New Year's Eve

Genres:

Folk

Ceilidh

Traditional Scottish Folk

Scottish Music

Contact

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