Scotland’s iconic Kelpies to host first outdoor evening ceilidh ahead of St Andrew’s Day

Get ready to dance the night away! Scottish Canals and Falkirk Council are thrilled to announce plans to host their first open air evening ceilidh at Scotland’s iconic Kelpies.

Ceilidh @ The Kelpies will take place on Friday, November 28 ahead of St Andrew’s Day (Sunday, November 30), and promises to be an unforgettable evening of traditional Scottish music, high energy dancing and community cheers under the open sky.

People of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to join in the traditional Scottish dancing accompanied by Scotland’s chart-topping ceilidh band, Whisky Kiss.

Whisky Kiss is the only ceilidh band to have an international iTunes no.1 single, when their debut single Jocks Revenge topped charts from Europe to Latin America.

Whether you are an experienced dancer or stepping onto the floor for the first time, you will be guided through each dance, from well-loved favourites like the Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant and Strip the Willow.

The event will also mark the first anniversary of The Kelpies Experience launch. Scottish Canals, the canal custodians partnered with Zone Events last year to bring participants a unique opportunity to climb safely to the top of the horse’s mouth. The experience has a fantastic educational aspect where visitors learn more about the sculptures’ artist, his inspirations and the construction of the landmark structures.

The new attraction provided a valuable platform not only for a unique experience, but for the generation of much needed donations by charities and other organisations. The attraction has raised over £700K for charities in its first year alone.

Scottish Canals Chief Executive Officer John Paterson said: 

“Last year was a truly special year for our Kelpies. Not only did they celebrate their 10th birthday, but we also gave visitors the chance to climb inside and see these magnificent structures from a completely different angle for the first time. For The Kelpies to continue making an impact 10 years on generating £700K for charities on top of the £81m they contribute to the economy is just one of the ways Scotland’s canals continue to bring value to the people of Scotland and internationally. 

“This year we can’t wait to bring people together from all over the world, to join in some traditional Scottish dancing. There’s nothing quite like the sound of the fiddles and laughter filing the air as people come together in traditional dance. The Kelpies are now established icons of Scotland and firmly on the map as one of Scotland’s favourite visitor attractions. They provide the perfect stage for this and hopefully we can create an annual must attend event in people's diaries to come join us.”

Falkirk Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: 

“Ceilidh @ The Kelpies will undoubtedly be a fantastic celebration of Scottish culture, bringing people of all ages together in a truly iconic setting.

"The Kelpies have become symbols of our community, and hosting our first ever open-air ceilidh at this landmark is an exciting way to mark both St Andrew’s Day and a remarkable first year for The Kelpies Experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy traditional music and dancing right in the heart of Falkirk.”

The world-renowned structures, which stand at 100ft tall and weigh more than 300 tonnes each, are situated between Falkirk and Grangemouth and celebrated their 10th anniversary last year.

Scottish Canals commissioned Andy Scott to create The Kelpies, where they now stand in the Helix Park, on the canal link between the Forth & Clyde Canal and the River Carron.

The event will take place on the in front of The Kelpies with gates opening 6.30pm and entertainment starting at 7pm with the event finishing at 8.30pm. Visitors can look forward to some tasty scran and plenty of drinks to help you quench your thirst with all the dancing.

For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit: Ceilidh at The Kelpies | Helix