Written by James · June 28, 2026
Some venues look the part. Some venues actually are the part. This Whitekirk Hill wedding for Ashleigh and Joe sat firmly in that second category. Whitekirk Hill near North Berwick is a purpose-built events space perched at the top of a hill. The views across East Lothian and the Firth of Forth stop you mid-setup and make you appreciate the job.
Ashleigh and Joe booked me to provide their wedding DJ and ceilidh calling services. What followed was one of those nights that reminds you why getting the balance right matters so much. Specifically, it’s the balance between ceilidh energy, disco momentum, and simply reading the room.
The First Dance at This Whitekirk Hill Wedding — Donna Summer Sets the Tone
Ashleigh and Joe chose Last Dance by Donna Summer as their first dance. It’s a brilliant choice that I don’t hear nearly enough. The slow, intimate opening gave them their moment together on the floor. Then the track does exactly what you want a first dance to do: it builds. As the tempo lifted, guests flooded onto the floor. Because of that, the party was already in full swing before the song had even finished. It set the energy for the whole evening perfectly.
Ceilidh Time — The Gay Gordons and the Orcadian Strip the Willow
After the first dance, I moved into two ceilidh dances that I think work brilliantly together for a wedding crowd. If you’re planning a wedding ceilidh, read on.
The Gay Gordons is always where I like to start. It’s accessible, it keeps couples together, and even complete beginners can pick it up within the first eight bars. For a room with a large number of English guests, it’s the perfect introduction to Scottish country dancing. In fact, that was especially true at Whitekirk Hill that night. Everyone was eager, everyone gave it a go. The floor was full of people who’d never done it before and looked like they’d been doing it for years.
The Orcadian Strip the Willow followed, and this is where things really took off. The spinning, the energy, the noise: it’s the dance that tends to produce the best photographs of any wedding ceilidh. It also produces the most memorable moments. Last night was no exception. The guests were fantastic: enthusiastic and willing. Crucially, they listened to the instructions, which makes everything run smoothly and means everyone actually enjoys themselves.
A Hot Summer Night at This Whitekirk Hill Wedding
Here’s something worth knowing about Whitekirk Hill if you’re considering it as a wedding venue. It sits right at the top of a hill. Because of that, any breeze in the surrounding area gets amplified significantly up there. On a cold Scottish night, that’s something to plan for. But that night wasn’t a cold Scottish night.
It was genuinely, gloriously hot. On a typical Scottish evening, the ceilidh dancing is a brilliant way to warm up a room. That night, it did its usual job and generated enormous amounts of body heat. After two dances, practically the entire wedding party flooded outside. They enjoyed the evening sun and the cooling breeze on the hilltop. I can’t blame them. It was a beautiful evening, the views were stunning.
Northern Soul to Bridge the Gap at This Whitekirk Hill Wedding
That’s the kind of moment a Whitekirk Hill wedding throws up more than most, thanks to the hilltop setting. With the room largely outdoors, I kept things ticking over inside with a set of Northern Soul. This music rewards the dancers who stayed inside and kept moving. It held the room nicely until the main group returned after 10pm. By then, they were arriving back indoors bursting with energy and clearly ready to dance.
The Evening Disco — A Floor That Didn’t Empty
From 10pm onward, the dancefloor barely cleared. The mirror ball cluster at Whitekirk Hill is genuinely one of the best features of the room. There must be fifteen or more of them at varying heights. When the lighting is right, they turn the whole ceiling into something magical.
The Finish — Loch Lomond and a Room Full of Warmth
The evening built beautifully through to the final songs. I ended with Loch Lomond — the only way a Scottish wedding should end. The whole room sang along, arms around each other. Together, they reached that wonderful collective state that only happens at the best wedding nights.
This was followed by a selection of personal tracks chosen by Ashleigh and Joe. That final stretch is always the bit I enjoy most. By that point, the room knows the night is ending and everyone’s on the floor. There’s a warmth in the air that you can’t manufacture — you just have to serve it.
Congratulations to Ashleigh and Joe on a brilliant Whitekirk Hill wedding — Whitekirk Hill is a genuinely special venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide ceilidh calling as well as DJ services?
Yes — I offer both as a combined package. Rather than hiring a separate ceilidh band and a DJ, I can provide ceilidh calling with traditional music. That’s followed by a full wedding disco, all in one booking. It’s a popular choice for couples who want the best of both worlds.
What ceilidh dances work best for a wedding?
For a mixed crowd, I’d recommend starting with the Gay Gordons, especially if guests haven’t done Scottish country dancing before. It keeps couples together and is easy to pick up. The Orcadian Strip the Willow works brilliantly as a second dance. It’s more energetic, and it produces brilliant photographs, so it tends to be the highlight of the ceilidh.
Do guests need to know how to ceilidh dance?
Not at all. Part of my role as ceilidh caller is to explain each dance before I start. I also talk guests through the moves as the music plays. Ashleigh and Joe’s crowd included many guests who had never done Scottish country dancing before. Even so, they followed the instructions brilliantly and had a fantastic time.
More on Booking a Whitekirk Hill Wedding
What if guests go outside during the evening?
It happens, particularly in summer — and it’s actually a sign that people are having a good time. I keep music running inside at a comfortable level for those who stay indoors. I’m always ready to pick the energy back up the moment people return to the floor.
Do you DJ at Whitekirk Hill?
Yes — I’ve worked at Whitekirk Hill and know the room well. It’s a great venue for both ceilidh and disco, with excellent acoustics and a generous dancefloor. It also has that incredible mirror ball installation on the ceiling. However, the hilltop location does mean outdoor areas can be breezy. That’s worth bearing in mind for a winter event.
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 take on a limited number of weddings each year to ensure every couple gets my full attention. I’d recommend reaching out as early as possible to check availability.
About the author
James is the founder of Premier Disco Weddings, a professional wedding DJ service covering venues across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, the Scottish Borders, Fife and Perthshire. Rather than relying on generic playlists, he and the team build a bespoke set for every couple, drawing on experience across hundreds of Scottish weddings to read a room and keep the dancefloor full all night.
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