Bonnie & Wild has announced plans to expand its famous White Heather Club, kicking off with a “fabulous” Fringe Ceilidh during the Edinburgh Festivals due to popular demand.
The ceilidhs, which take place at the Edinburgh Food Hall in the St James Quarter on the last Thursday of every month, have been running since last year and attract hundreds of dancers each time.
However, with Bonnie & Wild’s August 31st ceilidh scheduled for after the Fringe, organisers say they were asked to put on a Fringe Ceilidh, meaning Edinburgh Festival-goers can still have the chance for a whirl at the hugely successful Scottish country dances.
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Communications director at Bonnie & Wild, Colin Campbell, said: “The White Heather Club brand has established itself as a partygoers’ favourite in Edinburgh’s events calendar.
“These ceilidhs are great for all involved, whether it’s our staff, the band or the hundreds of people who come along for a dance or to watch. It’s great to see so many people – locals, shoppers, diners, tourists, passers-by – all dancing away and all enjoying themselves. No one leaves without a big grin on their face.”
He revealed that the Fringe ceilidh came about after people started asking if they could move their August ceilidh to fit in with the Fringe, leading to the creation of the special event.
Unlike their regular White Heather Club ceilidhs, which are free, tickets to Bonnie & Wild’s Fringe Ceilidh will cost £12, with profits going to charity.
Mr Campbell said they were also planning a few extras to keep dancers “fuelled up and looking fabulous” during the three-hour ceilidh, which starts at 8 pm.
Last month, Bonnie & Wild teamed up with Edinburgh kilt-maker Scotland Shop, revealing plans for a Bonnie & Wild tartan and announcing a series of prizes for the “bonniest dancers”.
ScotlandShop founder Anna White said: “It’s great to see the White Heather Club once again becoming synonymous with promoting Ceilidhs and traditional Scottish country dances, including at the Edinburgh Fringe. I’m really excited about our involvement with these brilliant events.”
Mr Campbell added: “The Fringe’s Ceilidh is being organised in conjunction with St James Quarter’s wider Fringe programme, as well as with our partners ScotlandShop. We’re also in discussions with some iconic locations on key festive dates and other collaborative opportunities to branch out and bring the White Heather Club to even bigger audiences.”
With music from Charlie Kirkpatrick and his band, White Heather Club participants are guided through each dance, including the likes of classics such as Dashing White Sergeant, the Gay Gordons and of course the Strip the Willow.
Revitalised last year by Bonnie & Wild, the White Heather Club was a popular TV show in the 1950s and 1960s, broadcasting Scottish country dancing into people’s homes, and helping to drive the resurgence of traditional Scottish music and Ceilidh dancing.
Tickets to White Heather Club’s Fringe Ceilidh will go on sale next week.
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