Ceilidh
A ceilidh is a social evening of Scottish or Irish folk music and dancing, where a caller teaches each dance so that people who have never done it before can join in. It is pronounced "KAY-lee", and the word comes from Gaelic, where it originally meant a visit or a gathering for stories and song.
In practice
A live band plays reels and jigs, and the caller walks the room through each dance before the music starts. Common ones include the Gay Gordons, the Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow and the Canadian Barn Dance. Nobody expects you to know the steps, and dances are designed so partners swap and the whole room mixes. Ceilidhs are held at weddings, university and workplace events, Burns Night suppers, St Andrew's Day and Hogmanay, and as regular public nights at venues around the city.
Why it matters to newcomers
If your workplace Christmas party in Scotland is "a ceilidh", that means dancing for everyone, not a band to watch. Wear comfortable shoes, go with whoever asks you, and expect to be spun at speed in Strip the Willow. It is one of the quickest ways to meet people in a new city.
Related
- Hogmanay - one of the nights a ceilidh is almost guaranteed
- The Fringe - whose programme often includes traditional music and ceilidh nights