The Scots and the Catalans have much in common, one of the most useful being that they both enjoy a good party. And that’s what will be taking place again this year to celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s patron saint, St Andrew. There will be a spectacular Ceilidh in the Centro Galego on Las Ramblas on Saturday the 26th November, with music from The Caulbums Ceilidh Band, three well known Scottish musicians who travel to Barcelona regularly to entertain. Don’t you miss the St Andrew’s day in Barcelona!
Fergus Muirhead, piper with the band, first travelled to Barcelona ten years ago to play at a concert with Carlos Nuñez and while in the city met members of the City of Barcelona Pipe Band, a great bunch of Catalan musicians who love playing Scottish music. He has been a regular visitor ever since, appearing at concerts round Catalunya and spending time teaching members on the Pipe Band. Accompanying Fergus at this years St Andrew’s Ceildih will be Frazer McLellan on accordion and John Gahagan on whistle and fiddle.
The guys will also spend time teaching everyone the dances so you don’t have to be nervous that you don’t know what to do! The dance floor will be full from the first dance to the last dance in an evening of great music and great fun. And to quench your thirst after you have danced an energetic Strip The Willow there will be plenty of Scottish beer to try out since the event is sponsored by Rio marketing in Barcelona who are responsible for distributing Tennent’s range of Scottish lagers and beers in the city.
All in all it promises to be a great night.
The Caulbums will also be back in January for their annual Burns Night. Robert Burns was Scotland’s most famous poet and his song, Auld Lang Syne, is sung at the end of parties and concerts all over the world. Every year his birthday, 25th January, is celebrated with Scottish food, drink, music and song. There will be a ceilidh to end the evening which will start with a traditional Scottish meal including haggis, needs and tatties. The haggis will be piped in and addressed in Castellano, Catalan and English (or Scots really) before being cut up and enjoyed, perhaps with a drop of whisky poured over it.
Both of these nights are great fun and you should get along if you can.
