Glasgow is a great place for conference events. From the diversity and variety of the city itself, to its ease of access to the rest of Scotland, visitors are never short of things to do and see.

Glasgow Convention Bureau continues to do an excellent job of promoting the city to the world. They have been awarded Top Convention Bureau in the UK for 13 years in a row by the Meeting and Incentive Travel Awards, and have helped bring Glasgow to the forefront of international conference destinations.

Reel Time Events provides a lot of conference entertainment in Glasgow. We’re taking a look at just some of the highlights of our conference event entertainment from this year.

6 Massive Conference Ceilidhs at Merchant Square

During the summer, Reel Time secured a run of 6 GIANT conference events with Merchant Square. Conference organisers were looking for a venue that could easily accommodate up to 1500 delegates to descend en-masse, sit down for dinner, and be entertained. Merchant Square’s range of dining estalishment’s close to the public for the night as the conference delegates takeover to enjoy the evening’s social program.

Reel Time Events provided the entertainment for these 6 conferences:

12th June – Offshore Mechanics & Arctic Engineering (OMAE), 1000 guests

10th July – CAP Partner – Federation of European Microbiologists (FEMS) 2019 Congress of European Microbiologists, 800 guests

18th July – International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe (ISMPMI), 1300 guests

1st Aug – International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC) 2019, 800 guests

4th Sept – European Conference on Applied Superconductivity (EUCAS) 2019, 1000 guests

8th Oct – The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)’s International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) 2019, 1000 guests

We wanted to initiate these huge, international audiences into Scottish culture to ensure their time in Glasgow would never be forgotten. That meant one thing: ceilidh dancing.

The layout of Merchant Square is perfect for this as it has a huge amount of floor space for large groups to dance and spin and twirl about. So we were easily able to accommodate 5900 first-time ceilidh dancers over the 6 events.

Reel Time’s modern ceilidh band ‘Scraggly Cats‘ performed all 6 events. Each event began with the 5-piece band accompanied by 5 Highland Dancers, performing jigs, reels, and the Highland Fling. The Dancers then encouraged the delegates to venture out on to the dance floor, and then helped to teach them ceilidh dances while the band played and called the moves from the stage. With so many ceilidh-newbies, having the Highland Dancers participate and lead by example brought everyone together and gave delegates the confidence to nail the dance moves.

After several ceilidh tunes, the delegates were rewarded for their effort with a disco set from the band who played live covers of songs like Summer of 69, Happy, Uptown Funk, and Don’t Stop Believing.

And finally, for those who just weren’t ready for the night to end, Reel Time always provided a DJ to take the party into the wee hours of the morning.

2 Huge Nights of Evening Entertainment for the British Orthodontics Society’s Glasgow Conference

Another highlight of our Glasgow Conference entertainment this year was back-to-back nights of events at the Glasgow Science Centre and the Crowne Plaza for the British Orthodontic Society.

This is the 2nd time we’ve worked with BOS and we were thrilled to be asked back. This time we wanted to go above and beyond with bigger Scottish show entertainment. Being familiar with the audience, we knew that they were especially fun and enthusiastic, and we wanted to deliver on their expectations for a huge party.

BOS wanted two nights of entertainment for their Glasgow conference. First was the civic reception at the Science Centre, a short walk from their hotel, Crowne Plaza – the location of the second night’s entertainment, and in close proximity to the Scottish Events Campus (SEC), where the conference was held.

Night One: Evening Entertainment at the Glasgow Science Centre

To kick off the civic reception, two Reel Time Pipers led a procession of conference delegates from Crowne Plaza, across the bridge over the River Clyde to the Science Centre. Once across the bridge, they were greeted by a troupe of jugglers and stilt walkers, who helped usher them into the venue.

Once all of the delegates were inside, they were provided food and drinks and left to do some networking, our roaming entertainers mingled and the crowd enthused. After about an hour, our two Reel Time Pipers once again struck up their pipes and led the large group to the entertainment area in the Science Centre.

Tartanium

They were greeted here by Reel Time’s biggest band: Tartanium. A 10 piece rock-band/stage show with Scottish infusions. Tartanium takes a classic rock-and-pop core of drums, guitar, bass, keys and a singer, adds a three-piece horn section of a trombone, trumpet, and saxophone. On top of that, bagpipes and a fiddle provide the authentic Scottish sound and texture. Tartanium plays a set of modern pop covers and Scottish traditional music with a big-band sound. Alongside the band are the Tartanium Dancers, five young ladies in traditional dress to perform jigs, reels, and highland flings with the band.

Tartanium kicked off the show with a reel, with the dancers performing in a space on the floor by the audience. The show moves forward with energy, fervour, and plenty of volume. The band play traditional dances like the highland fling, famous Scottish songs like Wild Mountain Thyme, and modern pop covers like Avicii’s “Wake Me Up.”

Watch the Tartanium Dancers!

Ceilidh Taster

After the show, Tartanium led the guests in a ceilidh taster in preparation for the following night. Roddy called the dances from the stage while playing pipes. The Tartanium dancers mingle with the audience to help them learn the moves. For first timers, it can seem quite daunting. But with the right effort and guidance from the Tartanium dancers, it always comes together.

Disco

After the ceilidh taster, the band continued with a forty-five minute set of pop and disco tunes for the audience to end the night with recent pop hits like Happy, Uptown Funk, and Can’t Stop the Feeling. Plus classic oldies like Donna Summer’s Hot Stuff, and Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive.

Fire Performers

As the night came to a close and the guests began to leave the venue, they were seen off by a trio of fire performers outside of the Science Centre for the final part of the night’s entertainment.

Crowne Plaza Conference Entertainment

The following night’s conference entertainment took place at the Crowne Plaza hotel, just across the river from the Science Centre. This second night of entertainment was the responsibility of the same Reel Time band who had such success at the 6 Merchant Square conferences.

Scraggly Cats kick the night off with a full on ceilidh. Having had the taster the night before, the guests were ready to get right in to a ceilidh. They went through several traditional dances: dashing white sergeant, Gay Gordons, the Flying Scotsman, the Virginia reel, and Strip the Willow.

After the ceilidh, the Scraggly Cats performed a disco set of pop classics and modern hit songs.

The band finished their set but the party continued on thanks to one of the Reel Time DJ’s who kept the delegates partying.

We had a great time with the guests of the British Orthodontic Society, and Glasgow proved to be the perfect setting for back-to-back nights of conference entertainment.

Honourable Mention: Kelvingrove Conference Entertainment

We also had the good fortune to take part in the IASSIDD conference at Kelvingrove, where we put on a ceilidh for conference delegates with the help of a group called Indepen-dance. You can see some of what we did in the video below.

We’ve had a wonderful year of Glasgow Conference Entertainment, with more still to come in the last few weeks of 2019, and we’re already excited and looking ahead to the fun we’re going to have in 2020 with all kinds of conference events already on the calendar.

If you’d like to keep up with Reel Time’s future entertainment, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.

For more conference information, head to our conferences page.

To inquire about conference or event entertainment, visit the contact page.

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Travelling from South Africa for their incentive trip Momentum were treated to a truly Scottish experience by Reel Time Events for the Edinburgh part of their journey.  With great collaboration between Reel Time Events and Thundermark in the run-up to the event, guests were treated to the best entertainment possible for their visit to Edinburgh.  To get both groups in the mood for the evenings entertainment they were fitted into kilt outfits for the gentlemen and sashes for the ladies – in all 80 kilt outfits and 70 sashes were successfully fitted across 2 venues over 6 hours, while the Reel Time team also offered some local knowledge and tourist info for how to spend the day, before the evening kicked off in Reel Time Style.

With entertainment at 2 different venues for the 2 groups it was a busy night for the Reel Time Team.  The first groups gala dinner and entertainment was held at the stunning Hopetoun House, where they were greeted by a welcome piper on arrival.  During the drinks reception there was a spectacular surprise Beat the Retreat, to give the guests a real rousing taste of Scotland before sitting down to dinner.  No Scottish gala dinner is really complete without a haggis course and whisky, and this was no exception, with Roddy addressing the haggis for the guests and William Wallace talking to them about the whiskies on offer.  After dinner to really get the pulses racing it was over to the Scraggly Cats, with their rocking ceilidh sound.  Accompanied by highland dancers opening the show with contemporary dance display, guests were treated to a mixture of funky ceilidh and pop from the band, through to conclude the evening on a high.

The second group were treated to their gala dinner and entertainment at the spectacular Ghillie Dhu, where they were treated to a truly exciting evening of entertainment.  With a magician performing street style, close up illusions and slight of hand over the drinks reception, guests were then wowed by Tartaniums high-impact, high-energy performance after dinner.  Blending bagpipes with electric guitar, keys and drums their exciting and innovative take on traditional Scottish ceilidh music created a real excitement with the guests.   Accompanied by their troupe of mini-kilted dancers performing their choreographed contemporary highland dance routine, everyone was treated to an exciting and contemporary twist on  traditional Scottish Ceilidh.

The following day both groups took the opportunity to head south for Scotland vs South Africa in the rugby World Cup, the result going the way of the visitors and adding to their great memories of their trip.

If you would like to discuss your incentive trip to Scotland and see how Reel Time Events can provide an exciting and memorable experience for your staff please contact us.

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Held in the stunning venue of the National Museum in Edinburgh BGL’s senior management were treated to a Scottish show with a contemporary twist from Reel Time Events, where delegates were truly immersed in Scottish culture for the evening.

Reel Time provided the ladies with tartan sashes to compliment the gentlemen in their kilt outfits to get everyone dressed for an evening of Scottish entertainment.  Delegates were welcomed in true Scottish style by a bagpiper as the arrived at the event.  Once inside there was a host of entertainment for everyone to enjoy.  Edinburghs Got Soul Choir wowed from the first level balcony with their powerful, passionate and professional performance to the party below with their rousing and high energy harmonies.

Then it was the Reel Time Bands turn to entertain with their own unique and rocking twist on a ceilidh.  Accompanied by both traditional and contemporary dancers the 7-piece ensemble, complete with singer, rocked the crowd with a Reel Time twist.

To close the night guests were treated to a spectacular “beat the retreat” by Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe band, marching through the museum.  An amazing finale to a very exciting and eventful evening.

For a sneek peek video of the event, and what goes on in the museum after hours click here.

If you would like a bespoke quote for your Scottish evening, tailored to you exact requirements contact us to discuss your requirements

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At the cutting edge of the Scottish events and entertainment scene, Reel Time Events provides contemporary and innovative Scottish events and memorable entertainment.  The office team comprises 6 of the finest entertainers in their fields.  The team is young and vibrant, helping to bring some fresh and exciting entertainment solutions for events.

Roddy Deans – Company Director, haggis stabber and bagpipe master.

Roddy has been entertaining audiences in Scotland and across the world for over 20 years.  Whether with the Reel Time Band, as a lone piper or compering an event, with Roddy on the job you are guaranteed a memorable Scottish experience.

Claire Weir – Wedding Coordinator, seamstress and gift bag stuffer.

Claire is our resident wedding coordinator, who will make sure that your wedding  goes to plan and is a fantastic experience for you and your guests.  With years of experience Claire works closely with all of our wedding couples to deliver the perfect day for everyone. Claires passion and enthusiasm for wedding planning is limitless, so much so she still has enough energy to produce our beautiful luxury giftbags, and as the only lady in the office keep all the boys in line.

David Fletcher – Conference Coordinator and fine whisky nose.

Dave is our conference planner and resident whisky expert.  Having worked as event planner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, his knowledge and passion for whisky is incredible.  Along with planning and coordinating our conferences he often heads out to educate the masses on whisky tastings with his big fine nose.

Chris Findlay – Corporate event planner and highland dancer.

Chris is our corporate events planner and dancer extraordinaire.  With his 15 years of dancing experience working with Roddy we thought its about time he took it easy so we have given him a desk job!  He knows what makes the difference between a good performance and a truly memorable one, and is a great man to have planning and coordinating your event.  We do roll him out for the occasional dancing job too, just so he doesn’t get too comfy behind his desk.

Mooj – Kilt fitter and highland games heavy.

Mooj is our resident kilt expert and has several years of experience working within the kilt hire industry.  He is most likely to be found demonstrating to the uninitiated how to correctly wear a kilt, and convincing them how liberating a breeze between the knees really is!   His orange sporran (don’t ask!)  is often spotted on highland games events and artisan workshops, injecting some extra Scottish fun to proceedings.

Mark Gilligan – The Beardy Barman.

Mark is the man for all things alcoholic – as part of our team he is the one who looks after the bar and protects the whisky from Dave! An incredibly talented barman and cocktail maker he can create anything from classic cocktails to bespoke creations for your event, and he can even teach you the skills you need to create your own through his amazing masterclasses.

Everyone in Reel Time Events would like to say a big thank you to David Ho Photography for coming to the office and taking these great photos.  His relaxed and easy going style instantly put everyone at ease and got fantastic shots of the team together and individually.  Roddy and David have known each other for 15 years and been at several of the same weddings together, with David documenting many couples big day.  Now David is moving into a new area and taking fantastic images perfect for professional and social media profiles.  Check out a selection of his images here.

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Reel Time Events had the pleasure of being part of the M&I Forum held in Edinburgh, in conjunction with Visit Scotland, providing a rousing Scottish experience and entertainment for the hundreds of meeting and event planners visiting our city from across the globe.

The Meetings and Incentive (M&I) Forum is a speed dating-style networking event bringing together buyers and suppliers from the events industry across Europe and gives them a taste of what Scotland has to offer. Reel Time Events helped Visit Scotland showcase the best of Scottish entertainment as part of the social programme.

Across the week of the event, Reel Time Events provided stilted Scottish performers and fire performers, along with Roddy the Piper welcoming the delegates to The Assembly Rooms for their evening reception.  Rachel Hair was also there, providing beautiful background music on the clarsach during dinner.

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

For the delegates gala dinner many of the guests wanted to fully immerse themselves in culture and traditions of a Scottish Ceilidh and wear kilt outfits to the event.  With the help of our new “how to measure” kilt video, delegates were able to provide their sizes in advance so that kilt outfits could be provided for all those that wanted one.  Distributed in the afternoon during the Forum at the EICC, guests were able to view our “how to wear” your kilt video for a bit of helpful guidance and gave them the afternoon to get in the mood, ready for the evening of fun and frolics.

The gala dinner itself was held in the National Museum, where the delegates were treated to a rousing and upbeat performance from the Reel Time Band, with their modern and contemporary twist on a traditional ceilidh.  Gemma Donald, Young Traditional Musician finalist, also performed a rousing solo during dinner.  Along with the band, our highland dancers were in attendance, showcasing their skills on the dancefloor for the guests and helping guide them through the various dances called by the band, including one of the largest “Orcadian Strip the Willow” the band has ever seen!

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

For the grand finale, the evening was brought to a close by a “beat the retreat” by a band of pipes and drums, a spectacular end to the evening in a spectacular venue.

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY

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To watch a video of the ceilidh and pipe band click here

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After such an amazing week organised by Visit Scotland, we are looking forward to welcoming many of the delegates organising their own incentive trips and meetings in our beautiful city.  If this is the sort of experience you would like visitors and guests of your conference or incentive trip to experience then please contact us for a tailored quote.

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From their conference hosted in the EICC, delegates were greeted at the castle with a grand Scottish welcome – a piper playing as guests made their way across the drawbridge and into the castle.  Moving through the castle, guests were entertained by a Celtic Pipe and Drummer group playing from the Argyle Battery, overlooking Edinburgh’s Princes Street and Gardens.  Not only was there music, but also Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots with her ladies in waiting could be found mingling with guests around the Castle.

Alongside Scotland’s Great characters from history the Clann staged a battle in Crown Square.  Sparks flew and guests were aghast with the clash of sword and steel of the quartet of warriors.  There was also a medieval photobooth, for guests to get into the spirit of the event and have their photo taken with the weapons and clothing which our highland ancestors would have worn.

For those looking to sample some of our rich drinking heritage, there was a whisky tasting for guests to get a wee warming tipple of some of our finest drams.  With 4 great Malt Whisky expressions for guests to sample and expert tasting notes from Chris White (manager of one of Edinburgh’s new and exciting whisky bars “Usquabae“ on Hope Street) and Robin Laing (Chairman of the Tasting Panel at the Scottish Malt Whisky Society)

For the grand finale, The Clann rallied the guests from Crown Square and moved through the castle, where they were met by a Pipe band who “Beat the Retreat” through the Castle and over the drawbridge leading the guests towards their coaches and home.

If you are hosting a conference and you would like some Scottish entertainment, why not contact Reel Time Events for some expert advice and inspiration.

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Burns night is the annual celebration and commemoration of the life, work and spirit of Scotland’s great poet Robert Burns. From his humble beginnings on the family farm in Ayr, his passion and dynamic, contemporary vision has elevated him into one of Scotlands most loved and celebrated figures.  Every year, around the great Bards birthday on the 25th January, Burns night is celebrated across the globe. Remembering his famous and humorous poetry and songs, often aided with a generous serving of haggis and lashings of whisky – a celebration Burns himself  would have been proud of!  Reel Time had the pleasure and honour to help celebrate this great occasion across Scotland in a number of venues.

Starting in the granite city, in Aberdeen’s AECC, Roddy was piping and stabbing haggis for their clients evening.  The Scraggly Cats band wowed the crowd at an oil and gas industy Burns night with their blend of rocking ceilidh, rock, pop and soul music.  Keeping everyone on their feet with their dynamic and energetic performance, everyone danced and drank and thoroughly enjoyed their evening.

Tartanium also made their way north, to Ardoe House, creating a stir with their high octane performance.  Supported by the Tartanium dancers, it was a spectacular performance of music and dance that injected a new dimension into the Scottish celebrations.

Moving south to the heart of the country, working with Historic Scotland in Stirling Castle, Reel Time provided an evenings entertainment, with comedy from Fred MacAuley, Sandy Strang, and Jane McCarry, and music from Barluath – a new and exciting band from Glasgow who embrace the traditional and contemporary music of Scotland, and feature Ainsley V Hamill, finalist from Scottish Young Traditional Musician of the year.

In our beautiful capital, in the spectacular surroundings of The Hub, the Reel Time Band played their lively and energetic ceilidh music, keeping the Federation of Master Builders entertained for the evening, while Roddy was the evening’s compere, addressing the haggis, keeping proceedings on track and introducing “a toast to the lasses” “reply from the lasses” and “the Immortal Memory”.  The Full Burns night entertainment package! 

The Reel Time Band also played at the beautiful venue of Norton House Hotel, helping the Heineken crowd enjoy their celebrations and keep the them rocking into the early hours.

Burns Night is such a special and exciting evening, and it was truly a pleasure to help all of our guests enjoy and celebrate the life and poetry of our great Bard.  If you would like to book your event for 2016 and celebrate Burns night in style please contact us

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Tartanium before they go on stage at Hampden Stadium.

Hampden Stadium was rocking this weekend to the sound of Tartanium, Scotland’s up and coming bag-rock band. Performing at Scotland’s National Stadium, Tartanium played for 15 minutes of traditional Scottish music in a modern rock style. The band was followed by The Scraggly Cats performing both ceilidh music and modern covers for the international delegates at the conference.

Alongside Tartanium there were two pipers and three traditional highland dancers to complete the stadium performance taking place as part of the Scottish Power Renewables Conference. Delegates were entertained by the bag-rock show which helped create a lively atmosphere by providing a driving drum-beat and modern pop tunes as well as the sounds of Scotland. After this exciting performance The Scraggly Cats entertained the audience playing pop and classic rock tunes.

Playing at the heart of Scottish football in our nation’s stadium Tartanium and the Scraggly Cats felt proud to be displaying the best of Scottish culture at this conference.

Reel-Time would like to say thank you to the delegates as well as the staff at Hampden Stadium for their enthusiasm, great hospitality and support helping us provide great entertainment for this large-scale conference.

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Reel Time Events is a whisky tasting company based in Edinburgh.  We were asked to put on a Whisky tasting for a health and safety conference dinner.
We arrived at the Hilton in Glasgow while the guests were enjoying their dinner.
Setting up the Whisky stations in a room adjacent to the dining guests.
The guests enjoyed a short presentation by Whisky writer and poet, Robin Laing, who explained the nosing technique and why Whisky was good for their health and safety!

We had 3 different tasting stations set up, with the three experts talking to the guests about the different drams available.
The clients enjoyed the event, and thought it added a great Scottish element to the first night of their conference.
If you would like to book a Whisky tasting in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or anywhere in the UK, then have a look at our Whisky tasting page  and get in touch for more information and a tailored quote.

Thanks to Stephen D Lawrence for the fantastic pictures of the event.

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