The Ceilidh Experience

Norman Mackay's Ceilidh Experience originally formed in Edinburgh in 2002. Now the Ceilidh band of choice for Rock stars, soap stars and famous politicians, they have gone on to perform at weddings, corporate events and festivals all over the UK and throughout Europe.

Renowned for their Rock style and high energy performances they were recently invited to appear on ‘Magic TV’ where they taught Strictly Come Dancing stars ‘Kate Thornton and Craig Revel Horwood’ how to ceilidh dance! They have also featured on a recent episode of Channel 4’s ‘Four In A Bed’.

The Ceilidh Experience work with their own professional DJ. He also engineers the band’s sound and lighting during the live set and you’ll be provided with access to his music planner system in advance of the date, where you’ll be able to organise requests, first dances etc.

Additional services which can be provided include: afternoon sound & lighting setup, speech microphone, and background DJ music during the meal.

Customer Reviews

National Mining Museum, Newtongrange, 1st June 2019

Hi Norman, James and The Ceilidh Experience,

Thanks very much for playing at our wedding this weekend.

You guys were amazing and really gave a fantastic first introduction to what a Ceilidh is all about to the many people from all over Europe who were at the wedding. We also loved the Disco that struck just the right tone to get pretty much everyone up on the dancefloor at some point.

Thanks also for adapting the set, given the massive delay with the serving of the meal. Was a shame to cut things a bit short – but was just one of those of things.

Thanks again,

Liam and Mailys

The Byre at Inchyra, 9th March 2019

Wow, I’m so amazed and speechless about this past weekend. Thank you for making this wedding a completely magical dream come true.

All the best,

Chris and Erin McClelland

Assembly Rooms, Newcastle, 28th Dec 2018

Hi Norman,

Thank you so so much for everything. We had the best day/ night and all our guests loved the dancing, sorry some of them were not that good i think those at the back of the dance floor struggled to hear the instructions sometimes but at least they tried and had great fun!

We would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone looking for a great band in the future.

Take care and thanks again.

Kate

Hazel & Sam, 26th Oct 2018, Healey Barn

Hey Norman,

Friday was amazing! You guys made our night so so special and kept us all on the dance floor until the bitter end. A quick note to thank you and the rest of the band, super talented bunch who know how to throw a serious party!

We will recommend you to anyone who needs a top class Ceilidh Band.

Thanks again

Hazel and Sam

Stephen & Mel, Borthwick Castle, 12th Aug 2018

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding!

You guys were amazing and the guests loved it!

Thanks very much,

Stephen & Mel

Flora & Ed, Dunglass Estate, 4th Aug 2018

Dear Norman and the team,

Thank you so much for being part of our wedding day! You guys were absolutely brilliant and all of the guests remarked on how good the ceilidh was. Wee have loved meeting you and will definitely be coming to see you play again soon.

Lots of love, Flora & Ed xxxx

Brenna Spray, 23rd June 2018, Melville Castle

Norman and his fellow musicians were absolutely fabulous at our wedding this past June. My family is from the United States, and so had never encountered a ceilidh before. Needless to say, they absolutely loved every second of it, and that is down to the skill of the calling and overall experience of the band! We were also able to book through them a DJ, James at Premier Disco, who had us all on the dance floor all night when the band wasn't playing.

Jeremy Mason, 23rd April 2018, Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh

We would like to say a massive thank you to the ceilidh experience and the DJ for playing at our wedding. We could not have asked for a better night! You were all great and had the whole crowd going from beginning to end. Everybody had such a fantastic time and loved the energy of the night! We really had the best night of our lives and your music played a massive part in that!

Thank you so much for contributing to our wedding day in such a brilliant way! We are so grateful to you all!

Yvonne Smith, 1st Aug 2014, Dundas Castle

The Ceilidh Experience played at my wedding at the beginning of August 2014, and they were absolutely brilliant. As my husband is Australian, at least half the guests had never been to a ceilidh before and had no idea what to do. This didn't matter one bit - the steps were clearly explained and the dance floor was always full. Everyone had a blast, and this was due to the talent, energy and enthusiasm of the band. The moustache stickers were also a big hit (and certainly helped to clarify who was dancing as a man!).

The disco section was also fantastic, and it was great to see so many guests up on the dance floor.

In the run up to my wedding, the communication was excellent and the online portal (where you can request songs for the DJ in advance) was also very helpful. Planning a wedding can obviously be stressful, and it certainly helps to know that your suppliers are reliable and professional.

In short, I would highly recommend this band to anyone.

Cameron Kirkwood, 2nd Nov 2013, Carberry Tower

The Ceilidh Experience played at our wedding at the end of 2013 and they were outstanding!! Simply put they are top-class musicians with great energy and stage presence. It was really important to us to have a band that would cater to keen Scottish country dancers, eager but shy people who needed a bit of encouragement/guidance and also to entertain the wall flowers... Norman’s band absolutely nailed it. They have great character and I honestly believe they’re one of the best ceilidh bands in the UK (I’ve been going to ceilidhs for 10+ years and never seen a better band). Disco James was top-notch too and the way they set up and interacted with each other and our friends and family made the whole evening a party... all of our friends said they had a ball and it was one of the best receptions they’d ever been to. I’d highly recommend the Ceilidh Experience to anyone!!

Donna MacSween, 24th April 2015, The Hub, Edinburgh

Ceilidh Experience played at our wedding in The Hub and they were simply awesome! We couldn't have booked a better band - the dance floor was never empty and they were very professional throughout the planning process. The sound was great, Norman Mackay and the guys were fantastic and all the guests commented on how brilliant they were. Highly recommend this band! :)

James Brewster, 7th Feb 2015, Kinkell Byre, St Andrews

We found Norman online and asked him to preform for our wedding at Kinkell Byre in St Andrews on the 7th of Feb 2015.

Wow! It was a great day and we both had a fantastic time and all of our guests had a great time too.

Quite a few of our guests commented on how amazing Norman and the band were and they loved their knight rider interlude and all the others too... A few asked for the bands details so no doubt there will be some repeat and further custom.

It was a really slick and fun night of music and exactly what we were after. Looking back at the photos there were so many smiling faces and a big part of that was because of Norman's band / James' set.

An incredible wedding, couldn't have went any better. Ceilidh is really the only way to do it. .

Still smiling a few weeks on. Thanks again Norman and co.

James and Lorraine.

Sam Trett, (Edinburgh University, Various events)

The best Ceilidh band in Scotland! (A big claim but I'd challenge anyone to prove me wrong)

I have organised and attended scores of events and Norman and his team come with my highest recommendation. As a result I use them every time. My guests always leave happy.

The variety of dances they offer is wide and exciting and the instruction is clear and easy to follow (make sure you request the 'helicopter').

Even the music interludes get people up on their feet singing and dancing. The DJ package (which is included in the price on request) brings an added dynamic to the proceedings.

Great band and would fit any occasion. *They also wear awesome suits*

Look elsewhere at your own peril.