Glasgow Letter - 6.2.25

Celtic Connections Cèilidh

Such is the variety of Celtic Connections that you can be listening to rock n roll in the Concert Hall one night, then dancing to a Highland Schottische in the Old Fruitmarket less than 24 hours later – which is exactly what I did! 

The All Star Cèilidh Dance was peppered with top players in top form and a full dance floor – with artists from bands such as Skerryvore, Skipinnish, Capercaillie, Tide Lines, Blazin Fiddles, Trail West, Gunna Sound, Beinn Lee, and the Black Rose Cèilidh Band. 

Ruairidh Gray was a very entertaining host for the evening and I got a sense of déjà vu from the previous evening when Julie Fowlis appeared as the very special guest! It was a great night.

Upcoming events

Life moves quickly in Glasgow and soon Celtic Connections will be a distant memory – except of course for the shows that will be rescheduled in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

 
With a wonderful 2025 festival behind us, I now include dates of some events I have perhaps been neglecting while focussing on the CC shows. 

I will include more details of these in the coming weeks. 

What’s On

• Tuesday February 11: Seinn Còmhla – Dementia Friendly Cèilidh at 2pm
• Saturday February 15: Mull and Iona Association Annual Gathering in the Woodside Halls, Glenfarg Street, at 7pm. Dance at 9.30pm
• Friday February 28: Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir Concert in St Brides’ Church, Hyndland Road, at 7.30pm 
• Friday March 14: Honouring Kenneth, An Evening of Choral Music with the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall New Auditorium at 7.30pm