Ceilidh band

Lochnagar

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(5.0)Read all 21 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sun
Like Lochnagar?
Watch & Listen

About Lochnagar

Lochnagar is a popular and vibrant Scottish ceilidh band based in London and the South-East with an exciting traditional sound
Lochnagar's profile picture
Ceilidh band
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

As seen on Netflix's 'The Crown'! Lochnagar is a traditional Scottish ceilidh band that plays exciting and vibrant music that gets everyone up and dancing. We've been playing together for over fifteen years, and we're accustomed to playing for all sizes and types of venues, from large halls packed with hundreds of excitable students, to the most elegant of weddings at the grandest of estates. Lochnagar includes an experienced caller, whose warmth and enthusiasm will get everybody on their feet. Our caller will encourage your guests onto the floor and guide them through the steps for all the dances, so there’s no excuse – everybody can join the fun! We usually play as a three-piece band plus caller. However, we can adapt depending on the size of your event and your budget. You can book Lochnagar as a two-piece band for smaller events and occasionally we play as a five-piece. We bring our own PA amplification equipment and we hold public liability insurance. Want to hear us live? Although most of our gigs are private functions, we regularly play at public ceilidhs - get in touch to find out more.

Encore badges
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Folk, Ceilidh, Traditional Scottish folk
See all genres
Types:
See all types
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types

Lochnagar's Song list

Dashing White Sergeant
Gay Gordons
Eightsome Reel
Highland Welcome
Virginia Reel
Strip the Willow
Canadian Barn Dance
Oxo Reel
Lady Godiva Goes to Town
Cumberland Reel
Military Two-Step
Cumberland Square Eight
Reel of the 51st
Customer questions

Can you perform covers?

We specialise in ceilidh, with traditional instruments and sound and an authentic yet contemporary feel. We don't have a singer (although we have a ceilidh caller to teach the dances) and we don't perform cover versions of rock / pop songs.

Do you have different line-up options?

Our usual line-up is accordion, fiddle and drums, plus caller. We can also play as a smaller line-up without drums for smaller budgets. We can also enlarge the band with e.g. acoustic guitar or second fiddler. What size of band we quote on Encore will depend on the client's stated budget, but get in touch is you want multiple quotes for different line-ups

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

We're flexible - if timings change slightly just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

You'd be welcome to plug your mp3 player into our PA for background music between sets - we have a cable that will plug into a standard headphone socket - just let us know. If you want to use our PA for an extended time before or after our slot, we can often provide this for a small additional fee.

How much time do you need to set up?

We allow an hour before the ceilidh start time to unload and set up discretely. If you need us to be set up earlier, for example because you plan to have speeches, please let us know - there may be a small additional fee if you require us to be set up earlier in the day.

Do you provide a caller?

Yes, our caller will encourage your guests onto the dance floor and teach all the dances so everyone can get involved, walking everyone through the steps. Our caller doesn't play an instrument, so he's free to guide everyone while the music's playing.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

We're always happy to take requests. Our repertoire includes all the popular Scottish ceilidh dances, and we craft our setlist on the night to suit the abilities and energy of the crowd. If you want a less common Scottish dance, it's best you let us know in advance so we can prepare.

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA) included in your quote?

Yes, we bring our own instruments and PA system (amp, speakers etc) and this is included in our quotation. Our equipment is PAT safety tested where relevant. We will need access to a single power socket near where you want the band to set up.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Possibly, it depends. Let us know what you have in mind and we'll see what we can do!

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Our musicianship, energy and sense of fun. Our aim is to get everybody enjoying themselves, so we choose dances that everybody can learn, and our caller will encourage everyone to get involved. We have a traditional Scottish sound with a contemporary appeal.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

We've played all sizes and types of venues - too many to list! We perform most regularly at Camden's Cecil Sharp House where you can sample us live - just ask when we're next there.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

We have one foot in Scottish tradition and the other in contemporary music. We love Shooglenifty, Alasdair Fraser, Lau, Richard Thompson, Flook, Chris Stout, Martin Simpson, Chris Wood, Jimmy Shand (!), Karen Tweed, and many more. We also love free jazz, techno, minimalism, post-punk and musicals, but you're less likely to hear that in our ceilidh music!

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

You can see and hear us on Netflix's 'The Crown' (Series 1, episode 10) where we were the ceilidh band for a Highland Ball for the 'Royal family'.

Lochnagar's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1456.25
Up to 2 hours£1456.25
Up to 3 hours£1456.25
Lochnagar
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
9 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0

Lochnagar's Reviews

From Encore customers:

SH
Sabrina H
5 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8 out of 5

A wonderful band! We had a great time and was one of the highlights of our day. Would definitely book again!

Reply from Lochnagar
5 months ago

Hi Sabrina. Thanks for the glowing review. We really enjoyed playing for you and your guests.

BW
Bronwen W
8 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Lochnagar were perfect from start to finish. The communication with Dave in the run up was great. On the day, they were complete professionals and looked fantastic in their tartan. The music was absolutely amazing and the caller got all our guests, old and young, up on the dance floor and helped us to pick up the steps in seconds. We had so many comments from guests about how much they loved the ceilidh. Every band member was enthusiastic and kind, and made us feel very special as we celebrated our wedding. Thank you again, Bronwen and Andy

Reply from Lochnagar
8 months ago

Hi. Thanks very much for your very kind words, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the ceilidh and had such a good time. Thanks for booking us. Best wishes. Dave

KC
Kethi C
9 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Lochnagor were excellent, everyone enjoyed the ceilidh. working with them was very easy and they were very flexible with the space we had and timings. a great experience!

Reply from Lochnagar
9 months ago

Hi Kethi. Thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad we were able to add some fun to your wedding celebration - it was a lovely event. Dave

SG
Simon G
10 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Just brilliant. Wonderful music, easy to deal with. Great fun

Reply from Lochnagar
10 months ago

Simon, thanks very much for the great feedback. We really enjoyed playing for you and your guests.

Read all 9 reviews

From other customers:

SG
Suzie, C
7 years ago

another super evening - lots of happy guests

M
Megan
7 years ago

Thank you so much for playing at our wedding! It was such a special day that wouldn't have been as much fun without Lochnagar! All of our guests said they had not had so much fun in a long time and was the best wedding they had attended. To which some is down to you and your band.

Read all 12 reviews