London’s Scottish diaspora and Ceilidh dancing community came together on Saturday 9 March for Scots in London’s inaugural Ceilidh, held at St Columba’s Church in Knightsbridge.
Opened by the rousing sounds of the Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish Regiment, guests enjoyed taking part in a wide range of Ceilidh dances with live music provided by the Caledonian Reelers, as well as performances from CÒisir Lunnainn – the London Gaelic Choir, highland dancing with the Tartan Thistle Dancers, and poetry from The Burns Club of London.
London Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums
To finish the evening guests and performers came together for an uplifting sing-along with TV icon and traditional singer Isla St Clair. Isla treated the audience to a wide range of iconic Scottish songs, including ‘Ally Bally Bee’, ‘Loch Lomond’ and ‘Ye Canny Shove Yer Grannie off the Bus’. The songs invoked fond memories for the audience and showcased the widespread popularity of these traditional Scottish ballads and children’s songs.
Isla St Clair
Scots in London would like to thank all the organisations and individuals that supported the event, including James Fairbairn for acting as caller, St Columba’s Church, ScotsCare volunteers, Tartan Thistle Dancers, The Burns Club of London and CÒisirLunnainn. The Scots in London mission is to ‘bring people together’ and the Ceilidh was a joyous event that did just that.
Tartan Thistle Dancers