This Is Ceilidh @ Assembly George Square Gardens

This Is Ceilidh is an enthusiastically tarted up ceilidh, that uses a bagpipe battle, well-deployed tartan leggings and a mild inter-clan feud to get you on the dance floor. Arguably, most ceilidhs manage to get you to bust a move without such perks, but as a piece of entertainment This Is Ceilidh has an added value.

The show does not shy away from the downright tacky, which results in a pleasantly irreverent Braveheart and Irn Bru approach to Scottishness. This lack of seriousness makes it all the more inviting for attendees of various backgrounds to try their luck at the traditional dances, especially since the performers make a point of explaining them quite thoroughly. With This Is Ceilidh, tradition is there to be cherry-picked from for your entertainment. Much like wearing a kilt is a great idea, but only because it is way more fun to dance in than trousers are, as well as more flattering for one’s derriere.

The occasional slower musical numbers may provide a wee break for some of the sweatier punters, but overall they take away from the energy of the show. This Is Ceilidh is at its best when the band is loud, the music fast and a complete stranger is whirling you about in a manner that may or may not be authentically Scottish.