Cupar couple deliver daily ceilidh online

Alan Small and Gemma Donald are two-thirds of the Lomond Ceilidh Band, based in Cupar, and who are self-isolating due to Covid-19.

Realising that they weren’t alone in being stuck at home, they hit on the unique idea of hosting an online ceilidh.

Following the first one, which was so popular that hundreds from around the world tuned in live and made requests, both Alan and Gemma realised they couldn’t stop there.

The duo are now presenting a foot-tapping, hand-clapping good old Scottish ceilidh every evening at 8pm midweek for one-and-a-half hours, while at weekends, they ramp it up a notch and play for an extra hour.

The band, due to restrictions now in place across the UK, found all their bookings cancelled overnight, and with that the loss of the income they would have generated.

Alan, who formed the Lomond Ceilidh Band at the age of 14, started playing the accordion at seven years old and and is delighted to be celebratingthe combo’s 30th birthday this year.

He said: “The more people who know we’re doing nightly concerts the better. They can join in either at the time or, for any who aren’t on Facebook, they can tune in afterwards on the replays which we leave up for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s keeping our spirits up while we’re stuck in the house and unable to go out to play, so why not give back to those who have supported us over the years.

“We’d play all day if we could, but we’d burn ourselves out, so a short concert each night through the week and extended concerts on the weekends will keep the ceilidh running for longer.

“Who knows how long this isolation may have to go on. The least we can do is try to brighten even one person’s day for a wee while. We believe some nursing homes are tuning in.”

All of the concerts are completely free, but anyone who wishes to contribute can do so using the links on the videos.

The videos are public so can be seen by anyone on or off Facebook at: www.facebook.com/LomondCeilidhBand.