Benachally Ceilidh Band 30th Jan 2010 in The Reid Hall, Forfar

The ceilidh band play lively sets of Jigs, Reels and Marches for such well known set dances as The Dashing White Sergeant, Strip the Willow, Duke of Perth, Virginia Reel and many others whilst blending with couple dances such as Waltzes, The Gay Gordons, Britannia Two-Step, St Bernard's Waltz and the Canadian Barn Dance. The band is continually adding new dances to there repertoire from Scotland and Ireland whilst picking up the odd dance from their world travels!

"Every guest commented on how professional, musical and apt the Band were. The variety of tunes played and the dance calling were all the best that they could be. "

"The music was fantastic and so many people said to me that it was the best ceilild band they had ever seen. It was great the way that you danced and called."

BURNS' NIGHT IN VILNIUS 2008 (28/01/2008)

The British Embassy and the British Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania held a Burns Supper at the New York Club in Vilnius on 26 January 2008.  This was the 9th Annual Traditional Burns' Night in Lithuania. The event raised 15,500 Litas (over £3,000) for local charities.

 

The haggis, which was prepared by catering students from Clydebank College, was piped in by members of the Pipes and Drums of Glenalmond College. The ‘Address to the Haggis’ was recited by Dugald Craig from the West of Scotland Colleges' Partnership. The traditional ‘Toast to the Lasses’ was delivered by the Deputy Ambassador, Keith Shannon, and the ‘Reply from the Lasses’ by Morag Kerr from the West of Scotland Colleges' Partnership. The Benachally Ceilidh Band performed traditional Scottish dance music.

 

Further details, a full list of sponsors, and photos from the event are on the website of the British Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania.

Extract from the official website for the British Embassy in Lithuania

 

Scottish Bahamian Society's Annual Ball

"Seeking a ceilidh band to perform at The Scottish Bahamian Society's annual ball some years ago, I selected Benachally from the listings just because I grew up in Tayside myself. They came, they played and they conquered our hearts. We love them and have them over annually to play for an eclectic grouping of expatriates from all over the world, as well as for the native Bahamians and nostalgic Scots. They have everybody up on the floor in a heartbeat. And they are fondly remembered by all the school children here in Nassau who have enjoyed the music and the dance of The Benachally Ceilidh Band. A guaranteed great performance every time, no matter how sophisticated or otherwise the occasion! The Benachally Ceilidh Band members are wonderful ambassadors for Scottish culture and the music in particular."

 

Scottish Band Play for Bahamian Schools

During their recent visit to Nassau to play at the Annual St Andrew's Ball the Benachally Ceilidh Band from Scotland visited three Nassau scholls and played to over 500 Bahamian children. The schools visited were St Anne's, St Andrews (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and Tambearly School.

Schoolchildren get a taste of the High life

Kilted Scotsmen have been showing Nassau schoolchildren how to enjoy themselves Highland style.

The Beanachally Ceilidh Band was in town to play at the annual St Andrew's Ball and they took the opportunity to visit three local schools to demonstrate the Highland fling and other Scottish music and dance traditions.

Bryne Kro Motel Burns Supper (Norway)

JÆRBLADET Story translated

10th grade at Time Ungdomskole had Friday the whole consentration to keep hands and feet in right position, when “The Benachally Ceilidh Band” was playing for dance lessons in the sack –warehouse in the old mill in Bryne.

Main story:

Scottich folk-tunes filled the warehouse when the 10th grade (15-16 years) at Time Ungdomskole got to try the Scottish folk-dance on Friday. The band and friends visited and played among other national classics as “The flying Scotsman” and “The gey gordons”.

Burns Supper:

The Scottish band is in Bryne because of the annual celebration of “Burns Supper” at Bryne Kro & Hotell.Robert Burns is Scotland national poet,and is celebrated January 25th all over the world. “We come to Bryne every year to celebrate Scottish culture.We bring haggis and whisky, says the leader of the band, Jake Donelly.

This is the first time the band is teaching Norwegian pupils tradional Scotich dancing.Because the band was coming to Bryne,they where asked to take part in a gym lesson at Time Ungdomskole. Dance is a subject in gym,and Donelly was asked to instruct the 80 pupils.

Teacher Anne Marie Jåtten,made the exotic Scottish dance lesson to come true.

Smile and laughter:

The pupils seemed to enjoy the dance, smile and laughter dominated the lessons,in spite of some minor start problems. “It was a bit difficult for some of us who normally don`t dance,but never the less,it was fun,says pupil Lars Elgheim. Ann Kristin Svalestad is even more enthusiastic,”Scottish dance is more joyful than other dances”,she says.

Impressed:

And the pupils learnt fast,in spite of starting problems.Bagpiper Charles Blyth,is impressed by the pupils engagement and skills: “These Norwegian youngsters learn incredibly fast.They are much more outgoing and driven than our Scottish boys”,he says.

Instrustor Jake Donelly agrees,he thinks the pupils where clever,and suggest that the band might come back and repeat the lessons in the future. “We would like to come back every year,to do this if we where asked,says Donelly, with a smile.