Coila Ceilidh Band has developed into one of the leading traditional groups in Scotland and is in constant demand at home and abroad. From performances at international music festivals such as Celtic Connections and The Shetland Folk Festival to Hollywood film premières, we have developed an unrivalled breadth of experience among Scottish ceilidh bands. In recent years we have played in countries as diverse as France, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Greece, Canada, China, Nigeria, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar and Tunisia. We regularly perform ceilidhs throughout Scotland and find ourselves particularly popular for wedding receptions.

Alistair McCulloch

Leader and caller of the band is the former national fiddle champion Alistair McCulloch. A graduate of the University of Strathclyde, he is one of the best-known fiddlers in Scotland and is in demand as a performer, teacher, adjudicator and composer. Alistair also performs with his own trio and his annual tour of the Scottish Highlands has become a firm fixture on the traditional music circuit. For several years Alistair was a soloist with the renowned Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, with which he performed in some of the UK's major concert halls. He also works widely as a session musician having performed, toured and recorded with many artists. Alistair has appeared on thirty five albums and regularly broadcasts for the BBC and is the fiddler on the soundtrack of the children's TV programme, Balamory.

Alistair's teaching roles include that of Scots Fiddle tutor at both the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the University of Strathclyde. He is also musical director of the highly-charged string group 'Innovation' and the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra. Full details about Alistair can be found at www.alistairmcculloch.com.

Gavin Welsh

Gavin Welsh is a popular and busy percussionist. He is a full-time percussion teacher based in South Ayrshire and is the founder and musical director of the South Ayrshire Percussion Ensemble. In recognition of his teaching role, he won the Yamaha Instrumental Teacher of the Year award in 2005 for his region.

Over the years Gavin has been involved in various musicals such as 'We Will Rock You', 'Fame', 'Les Misérables', 'Hot Mikado' and numerous others. He has recorded albums with a variety of bands and orchestras and has enjoyed various tours to America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. This has given Gavin the opportunity to perform in fantastic concert halls throughout the world but none better than the Sydney Opera House.

Willie Weir

Ayrshire born, Willie Weir is an accomplished accordionist who has over twenty five years of experience performing traditional music. Together with Alistair, Willie is a founding member of Coila, with the band forming in 1989 following a European Tour with the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra.

Along with Gavin, Willie regularly plays at concerts across the country with the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and has toured with the orchestra in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As well as playing in Coila, Willie occasionally travels internationally to perform solo gigs. He has recently had engagements in Kuwait, Qatar and China, playing at St Andrew's and Burns' night celebrations for Caledonian Societies.