At ELA we understand how important it is for our learners to become familiar not only with the English language but also with some aspects of Scottish culture. This is why we regularly organize ceilidh evenings for our students. A cèilidh or ceilidh /ˈkeɪli/ is a traditional Gaelic social meeting, which usually involves playing folk music and dancing. The term is derived from the Old Irish céle (singular) which means “companion”. It later became céilidhe and céilidh.

Originally, a céilidh was a gathering where stories and tales, poems and ballads were rehearsed and recited, and songs sung. Similar story- telling meetings and festivals took place among all the Celtic people as a way to facilitate courting and marriage prospects for young people. The dancing portion of the event has become popular in recent decades, though in some areas there are still story and poem telling events. Ceilidhs were originally hosted by a fear-an-tigh, meaning Man of the House, though in modern céilidhs the host is usually referred to more simply as Host or Master of Ceremonies. Privately organized céilidhs are common in Scotland, where bands are hired, usually for evening entertainment for a wedding, birthday party, celebratory or fundraising event. These may be more or less formal, and very often omit all other traditional Gaelic activity beyond the actual music and dancing.

The ELA céilidhs are not formal affairs, and although we encourage our students to wear highland dress, the only compulsory rule is to enjoy themselves, as the pictures show. Knowledge and use of the basic dance steps is not strictly necessary, and dances often alternate with songs, poetry recitals, and story- telling. The music is cheerful and lively, and the basic steps can be learned easily; a short instructional session is often provided for new dancers before the start of the dance itself.

Dancing at céilidhs is usually in the form of céilidh dances, set dances or couple dances. A “Set” consists of six to eight couples, with each pair of couples facing another in a square or rectangular formation. Each couple exchanges position with the facing couple, and also facing couples exchange partners, while all the time keeping in step with the beat of the music. However, about half of the dances in the modern Scots céilidh are couple dances performed in a ring. These can be performed by fixed couples or in the more sociable “progressive” manner, with the lady moving to the next gentleman in the ring at or near the end of each repetition of the steps.