The current line-up of Annasach is:

Rosie MacDiarmid

Julie Cope

Andrew Elders

Colin Wilson

Tricia Matthews

Annasach are an experienced and reliable Ceilidh Band with a professional attitude who will give 110% no matter how large or small the occasion. Here are a few additional things you may wish to consider -

Band Equipment
Annasach have their own PA sound system that is included in any fee. Part of this system includes a CD player for background music during our break but can also be used at any point during the evening. If you have a CD or track that you particularly want played then we will be happy to do this. You are also more than welcome to provide the track you want on an MP3 player which we can connect to our PA.

All equipment owned by Annasach has a current PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) certificate.

How much does it cost?
Annasach have a set rate for a Ceilidh up to four hour long and finishing by midnight. There is an additional charge if you would like us to play for longer than four hours or beyond midnight.

Disco
Annasach only play Ceilidh music but you can use our equipment to play other types of music, usually at no extra fee. However if you require a full disco Annasach would be happy to recommend a DJ.

History

Annasach Ceilidh Band formed in summer 1990 at the Royal High School, Edinburgh. The French Department asked pupils who had an interest in Scottish music if a band could be formed to play for a French exchange leaving party at a local hotel.

Five pupils came forward to form a band with the instrumentation Highland Bagpipes, Fiddle, Flute, Double Bass and Keyboard. At the ceilidh the band called themselves the Unconventional's due to this unusual mix of instruments. The evening was a success and due to some favourable comments being received, the band decided to continue playing.

The band changed their name to Annasach (Gaelic for unusual, unconventional) and in 1991 after a publicity campaign (and many practice sessions!) the band was invited to represent Scotland in Chicago on behalf of American Airlines. The airline was advertising direct flights around the world including Scotland at a publicity conference. Annasach stayed in Chicago for 3 days in luxurious accommodation with all expenses paid, playing for a total of two 8 minute slots!

The success of this trip led to the band playing for other functions mainly for close friends and community groups. Subsequently the band's popular style was recognised by a local agent who organised public ceilidhs . Since then the band has played in many different venues around Edinburgh and Scotland and over the following years have also played in Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, the USA and Sweden.

The bands' line-up and instrumentation has changed several times since 1990 however they are still regularly playing ceilidhs, weddings, parties, fundraisers and folk festivals throughout the country and overseas with Belgium & Guernsey being their latest adventures.

The overall sound of the band has a more folk based orientation, however, as the bands name suggest s , this combination provides an energetic, vibrant sound consisting of a traditional sounding front line mixed with a forceful, funky piano and bass back line. At the moment the band is influenced by the fiddle and step dance traditions of Cape Breton.

Guest artists include –

Tom Payne has appeared with Annasach on numerous occasions and is an excellent drummer (as well as a first class bass dep!). Tom comes from the Scottish borders town of Melrose and has been playing drums for many years. He currently works as a web designer for a company in Glasgow.