Scots Music Group runs traditional music and song classes for adults, informal sessions, monthly ceilidhs and other social events.
We are a community-based charity in Edinburgh.
Latest News
25TH JUNE :: SUMMER SONG GATHERINGÂ WITH MARY McCANN
Summer Song Gathering on the themes of Summer, the Natural World and Saving the PlanetSaturday 25th June, 10.30 am till 1 pm Christ Church Centre, Holy Corner, 6a Morningside Road Edinburgh  ​Come...
21ST JUNE :: CAFE CEILIDH ON MAKE MUSIC DAY
Café Ceilidh ~ Tuesday 21st June 2pm-3.30pm Part of Make Music DayCafé Ceilidh is our friendly day-time traditional music, song, poem and story session, held in the Storytelling Court at The...
2ND JULY :: SMG CEILIDH WITH THE OCCASIONALS
Join us for our first ceilidh of 2022 with The Occasionals, in the wonderful newly refurbished venue, The Binks Hall.Date: Saturday 2nd July 2022 Venue:Binks HallGreyfriars Charteris Centre138-140...
21ST JUNE :: COME & PLAY 2!
Come and Play together in an impromptu SMG Big Band on Make Music Day, 21st June! An opportunity to play tunes together and raise much-needed funds for SMG. The session will be led SMG tutor Sarah...
Find out more about our classes
Click on an instrument to read more and sign up
Accordion
Guitar
Song
Banjo
Mixed Instrument
Ukulele
Fiddle
Smallpipes
Whistle
Scots Music Group classes are:
- open to anyone aged 18 or over
- usually held over three continuous terms which align to the school year. Term 1 runs for 12 weeks starting in September; Term 2 for 10 weeks starting in January; Term 3 for 8 weeks starting in April
You should have an instrument to bring to class.
Learning by ear:
Scots Music Group encourages teaching and learning by ear. If you are new to this method of learning, don’t panic! Tutors will teach slowly and will work at a pace suitable to the group. It is highly recommended that you bring a recording device to your class. Tutors will also share music and songs as the class prefers e.g. photocopies or cloud storage.
Read our Class FAQ for answers to some typical questions about SMG classes.
TUESDAY DAYTIME
Mixed Instrument 2 – Intermediate
Mixed Instrument 3D – Advanced
WEDNESDAY DAYTIME
Mixed Instrument 1 – Improvers
Scottish Song and Beyond
WEDNESDAY EVENING
5-String Banjo
Accordion classes
Mixed Instrument – Slow Session
Mixed Instrument 3E – Advanced
Scottish Smallpipes
Ukulele
THURSDAY DAYTIME
Sing Together
THURSDAY EVENING
Fiddle classes
Guitar classes
Whistle classes
BECOME A SMG MEMBER:
- Membership runs from 1st August to 31st July each year
- Membership costs £20/£15 concession (students financially affected by Covid-19 are welcome to pay membership & fees at the concession rate)
- Membership gives a discount on class fees
- Purchase membership before buying classes to receive the discount
- Full membership info can be found here
TO ENROL:
-
- Our concession rate applies to students, pensioners receiving state pension, those receiving benefits, jobseekers / unemployed, unwaged (e.g. carer, stay-at-home parent)
- Consider becoming a SMG member to receive discounts on class prices
Click here for Term 2 tutor details
5-String Banjo
Michael Starkey
Accordion
Keith Dickson
Matthew Maclennan
Scottish Smallpipes
Malin Lewis
Andrew Macintyre
Fin Moore
Ukulele
Colin Graham
Fiddle
Bernadette Kellermann
Kirstie Mclanaghan
Eryn Rae
Isla Ratcliff
Sally Simpson
Eilidh Steel
Luisa Brown
Marit Fält
Whistle
Sam Gillespie
Freya Rae
Guitar
David Francis
Frank McLaughlin
Mixed Instrument
Nigel Gatherer
Sarah Northcott
Calum Macleod
Song
Kirsty Law
Robyn Stapleton
Scots Music Group classes are:
- open to anyone aged 18 or over
- usually held over three continuous terms which align to the school year. Term 1 runs for 12 weeks starting in September; Term 2 for 10 weeks starting in January; Term 3 for 8 weeks starting in April
- You should have an instrument to bring to class.
LEARNING BY EAR:
Scots Music Group encourages teaching and learning by ear. If you are new to this method of learning, don’t panic! Tutors will teach slowly and will work at a pace suitable to the group. It is highly recommended that you bring a recording device to your class. Tutors will also share music and songs as the class prefers e.g. photocopies or cloud storage.
Read our Class FAQ for answers to some typical questions about SMG classes.
TUESDAY DAYTIME
Mixed Instrument 2 – Intermediate
Mixed Instrument 3D – Advanced
WEDNESDAY DAYTIME
Mixed Instrument 1 – Improvers
Scottish Song and Beyond
WEDNESDAY EVENING
5-String Banjo
Accordion classes
Mixed Instrument – Slow Session
Mixed Instrument 3E – Advanced
Scottish Smallpipes
Ukulele
THURSDAY DAYTIME
Sing Together
THURSDAY EVENING
Fiddle classes
Guitar classes
Whistle classes
BECOME A SMG MEMBER:
- Membership runs from 1st August-31st July each year
- Membership costs £20/£15 concession (students financially affected by Covid-19 are welcome to pay membership & fees at the concession rate)
- Membership gives a discount on Scots Music Group class fees
- Purchase membership before buying classes to receive the discount
- Full membership info can be found here
TO ENROL:
- New to SMG? Click ‘ENROL’ and sign up at the link below the sign in screen
- Already registered? Click ‘ENROL’
- Save £15.00 per term by booking before the Early Bird deadline!
- Early Bird closes on Wednesday 1st September 2021 for Term 1 classes
- Our concession rate applies to students, pensioners receiving state pension, those receiving benefits, jobseekers / unemployed, unwaged (e.g. carer, stay-at-home parent)
- Consider becoming a SMG member to receive discounts on class prices
Click here for full tutor details
5-String Banjo
Michael Starkey
Accordion
Keith Dickson
Matthew Maclennan
Scottish Smallpipes
Malin Lewis
Andrew Macintyre
Fin Moore
Ailis Sutherland
Ukulele
Colin Graham
Fiddle
Claire Campbell
Jeri Foreman
Bernadette Kellermann
Kirstie Mclanaghan
Eryn Rae
Isla Ratcliff
Sally Simpson
Eilidh Steel
Rachel Walker
Whistle
Gillian Chalmers
Sam Gillespie
Andrew Macintyre
Freya Rae
Guitar
David Francis
Frank McLaughlin
Michael Starkey
Jack Weir
Mixed Instrument
Nigel Gatherer
Sarah Northcott
Calum Macleod
Song
Kirsty Law
Robyn Stapleton
Ceilidhs
Our ceilidhs are lively, friendly, informal and fun for all ages. You’ll be made welcome whether you come on your own or with a party. You don’t need to know what to do – a caller will explain the dances and there are lots of friendly folk to give you a hand and get everyone up dancing.  Since the venue is a community centre, children are welcome, so long as they are not in the bar area. Bear in mind that ceilidhs can get quite energetic, so they may be less suitable for younger children. Children aged 5 to 16 are charged at the concession price. Children under 5 get in free but need to be issued a ticket, so please contact the SMG office by phone or email to ask for a free child’s ticket
Our ceilidhs often sell out – you may get tickets at the door on the night, but please buy in advance to be sure!
Please note that your own alcohol cannot be brought in to the venue as this contravenes the licence. Water is available free of charge.  Personal announcements can be made during the break, for example, a birthday, wedding or any other type of celebration. If you would like an announcement made please email the SMG office at least 10 days beforehand with your message.
We run a fund-raising raffle during the break. If you have a prize you wish to donate, please call the SMG Office on 0131 555 7668, or bring it along on the night.
Venue
Binks Hall
Greyfriars Charteris Centre
138/140 Pleasance
Edinburgh
EH8 9RR
Tickets
£12/£8 concession in advance
£15/£10 concession on the door
No printed ticket required
Time
Doors open 7.15pm
Dancing from
7.30pm – 11pm
Dress
People come dressed in jeans, full highland dress – and everything in between
SMG INFORMATION
Links to all the key information
ABOUT
SMG
ONLINE CLASS
& ZOOM
CLASS
FAQ
GOLDEN
RULES
GENERAL
MUSIC INFO
TERM
DATES
FEES &
REFUNDS
MEMBERSHIP
GIFT
AID
CONTACT
OFFICE LOCATION
& HOURS
NEWSLETTERS
ARCHIVE
MERCHANDISE
FIND OUR
VENUES
CEILIDH
FAQ
HIRE A
CEILIDH BAND
AGM
MINUTES
WORKSHOP
FAQ
TRAD MUSIC
DIRECTORY
REMEMBRANCE
BOOK
SMG INFORMATION
Links to all the key information
ABOUT
SMG
ONLINE CLASS
& ZOOM
CLASS
FAQ
GOLDEN
RULES
GENERAL
MUSIC INFO
TERM
DATES
FEES &
REFUNDS
MEMBERSHIP
GIFT
AID
CONTACT
OFFICE LOCATION
& HOURS
NEWSLETTERS
ARCHIVE
MERCHANDISE
FIND OUR
VENUES
CEILIDH
FAQ
HIRE A
CEILIDH BAND
AGM
MINUTES
WORKSHOP
FAQ
TRAD MUSIC
DIRECTORY
REMEMBRANCE
BOOK
Contact
Tuesday – Thursday
10am – 5pm
0131 555 7668
Follow
Visit
Scots Music Group
Eric Liddell Community
15 Morningside Road
EDINBURGH
EH10 4DP