Strictly Come Ceilidh for Eilidh’s Trust

This is the second Strictly Come Ceilidh Dancing competition, with the first having been held in early 2020.

Dancers will compete in four rounds, putting their skills to the test across a range of ceilidh dances from waltzes to a schottische. They will then be scored by judges on the night who will be Tide Lines front man Robert Robertson, world-renowned Highland dancer Rachel McLagan and Gaelic singer and actor Darren Maclean. The highest scoring dancing couple will step away with the prized 2024 trophy.

The dancers will perform to the sound of accordionist Martainn Skene and fiddler Jamie Macdonald, who have come together to form the Strictly Come Ceilidh Dancing band. 

Comperes will be Harris gin ambassador Iona Cairns and competition organiser Donald Maroot MacLeod.

He said: “We are thrilled to bring Strictly Come Ceilidh Dancing back after a break due to the pandemic. This will be a night full of fun and laughter for all the family and guaranteed to beat the January blues.

“We have secured a stellar line up who will attempt to put their best feet forward to test their footwork with the Highland Schottische, Canadian Barn Dance and many other ceilidh dance favourites. I am excited to see who will be crowned king and queen of the dancefloor as the competition is likely to be fierce. I am so grateful that so many talented people have made time for this event which will not only be entertaining but also raise money for Eilidh’s Trust.”

Singer Emma MacLeod added: “I am looking forward to getting onto the dance floor, having some fun and raising money for this great charity. I’ve been training for this my whole life and I am confident that my skills will kick in as soon as the ceilidh band strikes up.”

Judge Robert Robertson of Tide Lines added: “There’s been a fair bit of trash talking going on already between the dancers so it’s set to be a highly competitive affair which might make it a tough job for us as judges! Thankfully we’ll have the audience to help us keep the peace and decide who will walk away as ceilidh dancing king and queen 2024.”

Paul Hughes of Eilidh’s Trust thanked the organisers for their support.

He said: “What better way to get 2024 off to a fun and entertaining start than seeing some of Scotland’s biggest names in trad music and broadcasting put their dancing skills to the test and public judgement. We are very grateful to the organisers and all the participants for raising money to support our work with young musicians, therefore it’s very appropriate that we benefit from an event that has music and dance at its heart. We wish all the dancers the best of luck.”

Strictly Come Ceilidh Dancing ticket prices will be £15 for adults and £5 for under-18s. Children are most welcome but under-16s need to be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the event.