Practical
Planning your ceilidh evening
Where the venue is, how long the evening runs, what the ticket does and does not include, and how to plan around a dinner that can run slow.
Book the ceilidh dinner ↗Quick answer
The evening is held at An Seòmar, 11 to 19 Church Street, in the centre of Inverness. It runs about two hours and includes a three-course meal of traditional Scottish food, live music, storytelling, a Highland dancing demonstration and ceilidh dancing. Drinks are extra. The booking page shows a 4.3 rating, and some reviewers say service can be slow at busy times, so leave the evening unhurried.
Where it is
The booking page gives the venue as An Seòmar, 11 to 19 Church Street, in Inverness city centre. Wikipedia says the traditional centre of the city is bounded by High Street, Church Street and Academy Street, and that the city sits at the mouth of the River Ness. The city is served by Inverness railway station and by Inverness Airport, which Wikipedia places 13 kilometres north-east of it. Use a map for the walk from where you are staying, since distances depend on your route.
How long it lasts
The booking page puts the evening at two hours, covering a three-course meal, a resident storyteller, live traditional Scottish music, a Highland dancing demonstration and ceilidh dancing. It gives neither a running order nor a start time, and the start time for your date appears in your confirmation. Plan the rest of the day around the full two hours, and avoid a late transfer or an early start next morning that leaves no margin.
What is and is not included
The ticket includes the meal, the music, the storytelling, the Highland dancing demonstration and the ceilidh. Drinks are not included. The booking page also sells an optional whisky or local beer flight as an add-on. Nothing in the booking page mentions transport to or from the venue, so work out your own route. The menu is described only as traditional Scottish food, and this guide does not list dishes because they can change.
Service and the 4.3 rating
Planning starts with the rating. The booking page shows 4.3 from about 170 reviews, and some reviewers say the meal service can be slow at busy times. That is a reason to arrive with patience, not a reason to skip the evening, since the music and the storytelling are what most people come for. Treat the two hours as an evening out, ask your server about timing when you are seated and order any drinks early so the ceilidh part is not rushed.
What to wear
The booking page gives no dress code. Wikipedia says ceilidh dress codes range from compulsory Highland dress to informal, so smart-casual clothes are a safe choice. You will move around, spin and clap, so pick shoes that stay on and a layer you can remove. Nobody needs to wear a kilt, and the Highland dancing demonstration is for watching. If you wear a kilt or tartan for the occasion, the Dress Act ban of 1746 was repealed in 1782, so the only rule now is comfort.
Access and who should check first
The ticket carries a wheelchair-accessible marking, yet the booking page says nothing about the layout, how the dancing is arranged or what help the venue offers. Anyone with mobility needs should read it closely and write to the venue through the booking channel before travelling, since the ceilidh involves moving about a floor with other guests. Dietary needs are not covered either, so ask before you book.
Cancelling and changing plans
A booking made through GetYourGuide can be cancelled for a refund up to 24 hours before the night, which makes booking early low-risk while your other plans settle. Inverness is the base for day trips to Loch Ness, Culloden and the wider Highlands, and a long excursion can overrun. Check that cut-off before you choose a date straight after a 12-hour day.
Who this isn't for
Pass on this evening if you want a fast meal, a late night or a drop-in bar. It also disappoints anyone who dislikes joining in, since the ceilidh dancing is part of the ticket, and anyone expecting a fixed menu or programme: the dishes, the stories and the dances can all change from one night to the next.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Inverness ceilidh dinner held?
At An Seòmar, 11 to 19 Church Street, in Inverness city centre, as the booking page gives it.
How long does the evening take?
About two hours, as the booking page gives it. The start time for your date appears in your confirmation.
Are drinks included?
No. The ticket covers the meal and the show. The booking page sells an optional whisky or local beer flight as an add-on.
Can wheelchair users go?
The ticket carries a wheelchair-accessible marking. The booking page does not describe the layout, so write to the venue through the booking channel before you travel.
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