Fronted by Nicol McLaren, The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band are one of Scotland’s most in-demand ceilidh outfits, making their debut Orkney Folk Festival appearance.
Nicol – an agricultural sales specialist by trade, and chair of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs - formed the band in 1983 to play at a ‘kirk social’, and over three decades later the band remain one of the Scottish Country Dance scene’s finest.
Whilst the band’s personnel has changed a little, Nicol, Gordon Howe (fiddle) and Davie Bell (drums) are stalwarts from the original line-up, whilst Isobelle Hodgson (piano), Neil Caul (second accordion), and John Sinton (double bass) bring a wealth of experience to the group, and together produce a tight sound appreciated across the country and as far afield as Australia, Bahrain, Russia, Tbilisi, Abu Dhabi, Corsica, and beyond.
The band has released a number of popular albums, and has made numerous appearances on BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor - a programme which Nicol has also guest hosted, standing in for the inimitable legend that is Robbie Shepherd.