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 The Glencraig Band is one of the few bands that specializes in playing for all types of Scottish social dancing and Nicol is passionate about set construction and arrangement to match the dance and maximize the enjoyment for dancer and listener alike. In The Ceilidh, their first recording on Greentrax (CDTRAX 303), they capture the mood and the feeling of the Ceilidh - informal dance enjoyment for all. Three future albums will feature The Reel Party, Scottish Country and Old Time Dancing.
The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band was formed in 1983 when leader Nicol McLaren, then a salesman with S.A.I, in Blairgowrie, was asked by a customer if he could put together a band for a church social. From that gig came another half dozen bookings and The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band was born. The Band has gone on to become one of the most popular Scottish dance bands and confirmation of their popularity is their twelve broadcasts on BBC Radio Scotland's "Take The Floor", presented weekly by Robbie Shepherd, MBE, plus three previous albums. The Glencraig name came from NicoPs working collies, Glen and Craig.
Nicol, who has been playing accordion since the age of nine, features on lead accordion and the other Band members are Gordon Howe (fiddle); Neil Caul (2nd accordion); Isobelle Hodgson (piano); John Sinton (double bass); and David Bell (drums). The album, which was recorded at Castle Sound Studios, Pencaitland, has 17 tracks and the CD booklet contains full dance instructions by Karin Ingram.
In addition to a very busy schedule, which takes the Band to every corner of the United Kingdom and beyond, Nicol still finds time to present "Sporrans a Burlin" on Heartland FM radio and his services are much in demand for adjudicating, tutoring and compering. Nicol is also Chairman of The National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs.
Buy The Ceilidh.
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