Cabrach & Glenfiddich Estates - Community Ceilidh

The air was ringing with reels and jigs as locals enjoyed a Community Ceilidh on the Cabrach & Glenfiddich Estate last weekend.

Dancers were stepping out to music provided by the The Cabrach McBain Band, and it wasn’t long before whoops and laughter intermingled amongst marches and two-steps. Those who weren’t as familiar with the Gay Gordons and Dashing White Sergeant were under the expert instruction of ceilidh caller Loraine McBain and soon picked up the basics.

After working up a thirst and appetite revellers enjoyed traditional fayre and the odd dram before taking back to the floor.

Local dignitaries were in attendance, including the Chief Executive of Moray Council Roddy Burns and Councillors Pearl Paul and Mike McConachie, but with the event open to all, the local community was warmly welcomed by the owner of the Cabrach & Glenfiddich Estate, Christopher Moran. He said:

“I am delighted to welcome you to Glenfiddich this evening and it is heartening to see such a good turnout. Dufftown and the Cabrach have a unique sense of place, and the close-knit communities are a testament to the hardy spirit at the heart of the people.

“Like many other isolated communities across these isles, the Cabrach experiences the same pressures of employment and associated demographic change. The challenge for us is how to create a sustainable future for our young people so this sense of place not merely survives but flourishes for decades to come.

“The estate has a key role in that effort and we are determined to play our part in serving the needs of the community, both in terms of employment and regeneration. Tonight is a celebration of tradition and a unique way of life. Let us hope that our efforts today will ensure that in 100 years’ time these rafters will ring with the same music and laughter.”