Friday 3rd July took me north to Meldrum House Country Hotel & Golf Course near Oldmeldrum, just outside Aberdeen — a 153-mile drive from home that’s one of the longer trips I make, but always worth it for a venue like this. A 13th-century baronial mansion set on 240 acres of parkland, with a ballroom that’s hosted more weddings than I could count, it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice for couples in the North East.
I was booked by Katie and Ryan to provide their wedding DJ and ceilidh calling, and after leaving home at 2pm I arrived on site at 5:30pm ready to get set up.
A Short Wait, and No Bother At All
The wedding breakfast was running a little behind schedule, so I had a short wait before I could get into the room and set up properly. This isn’t unusual — timings shift on the day for all sorts of reasons, and a good wedding DJ builds in the flexibility to roll with it. A short delay here and there is completely normal, and it’s never anything to worry about.
The First Dance — Skerryvore’s “Take My Hand”
Katie and Ryan chose Take My Hand by Skerryvore for their first dance — a brilliant, invigorating choice that had every single guest up and watching. Skerryvore write exactly the kind of big, warm, Scottish folk-rock that lands perfectly as a first dance track, and this one set the tone for the whole night.
Ceilidh Time — The Gay Gordons and the Virginia Reel
We had two ceilidh dances on the night: the Gay Gordons and the Virginia Reel. Katie and Ryan’s guests mainly already knew both dances, which always makes life easier as a caller — instructions land quicker, the floor gets moving faster, and there’s more time for the fun part rather than the explaining part. If you’re weighing up which ceilidh dances to include at your own wedding, a crowd that’s danced before is always a bonus, but I’ll happily talk any group through the steps regardless of experience.
A Generous Dancefloor
It was a good night with a genuinely generous amount of dancers throughout the evening. There could always have been a few more up — there are always some guests at any wedding who just aren’t dancers, and that’s perfectly fine — but the floor stayed busy from the ceilidh right through the evening disco.
Wrapped Up by Midnight
Everything was wrapped up by midnight, and after packing down I was away by 1am. It was a long drive home with numerous detours thanks to roadworks, which took me the scenic way through a fair few B-roads and small villages — I made it back at 4am. A long day all round, but a well-earned sleep before moving straight on to Saturday’s wedding.
Congratulations to Katie and Ryan — a brilliant night, and Meldrum House is a fantastic venue for a North East Scotland wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cover weddings at Meldrum House?
Yes — I’ve worked at Meldrum House and know the ballroom well. It’s a great space for both ceilidh and evening disco, and I’m happy to travel to Aberdeenshire and the North East for the right wedding.
What ceilidh dances work well for a wedding?
The Gay Gordons and the Virginia Reel are both excellent choices — accessible enough for beginners but enjoyable for guests who’ve ceilidh danced before, like Katie and Ryan’s crowd. See my full guide to wedding ceilidh dancing for more options.
What if the wedding breakfast runs late?
It happens regularly and it’s never a problem. I build flexibility into every booking so that if timings shift on the day — as they did at Katie and Ryan’s wedding — I can simply wait and get set up when the room is ready, with no impact on the evening.
Do you travel to Aberdeenshire for weddings?
Yes, I do — Meldrum House was a 153-mile drive for me and it was well worth it. I take on a limited number of weddings each year so I can give every couple, wherever they’re getting married in Scotland, my full attention.
How do I book a wedding DJ and ceilidh caller for my wedding?
The best starting point is to get in touch via the contact page with your date and venue. I’d recommend reaching out as early as possible to check availability.
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