‘As relevant today as they were forty years ago’ says Gary Innes, Presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Take The Floor’ programme, and The Occasionals mark this 40-year milestone with these recordings from that programme of Jan. 24th 2026. And they’ve pulled out all the stops with a nine-piece band and dance music to match. Here’s what the media have been saying about them over the years –

‘One of the greatest ceilidh bands ever’
Living Tradition

‘A verve and drive guaranteed to lift a morgue and turn it into a party’ RTE

‘One of Scotland’s finest dance bands’ Foot Stompin’

‘This matchless ceilidh band’ Inverness Courier

‘One of the greatest Scottish dance bands ever’ Musicscotland

The Occasionals members encompass a vast array of experience right across the Scottish folk and dance band worlds, and included in these cv’s are Runrig, The Wallochmor Ceilidh Band, The Battlefield Band, Silly Wizard, The Ghillies, and almost every Scottish dance band of note in the last fifty years. So they really should know what they’re doing!

And just to make sure that they do it right they’ve invited one of the great figures of Northumbrian traditional music, Jimmy Little, to join them for one track.

It was some party, and here it is.

The album will be released on all major streaming and download platforms.

CDs will be available direct from the band at www.freelandbarbour.co.uk

01 Track: As I Went Walking 2.39
Tunes:
The 51st Highland Division (Donald MacLeod) | Publisher: Pipers’ Supply Co.
The Thistle of Scotland (John McKay) | Publisher: Paterson’s Publications
ISRC: GBCAD2600697 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

02 Track: The Military Two Step 2.33
Tunes:
Ronald Cooper (Frank Jamieson) | Publisher: Shetland Muic
ISRC: GBCAD2600693 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

03 Track: The Jacky Tar Two-Step 3.19
Tunes:
Ian Hardie’s Welcome (Duncan MacGillivray) | Publisher: MCPS
Campbell’s Heels (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskied Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600700 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

04 Track: The Pride of Erin Waltz 3.55
Tunes:
Cille Mhoire (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Tràigh Orasaigh (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600690 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

05 Track: The Ideal Schottische 3.32
Tunes:
Jimmy Little of Christon Bank (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600691 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

06 Track: The Britannia Two Step 3.38
Tunes:
Oh Joe the boat’s a’goin’ over (John Read) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Salute to The Church Barn Squeezers (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Salute to John Kirkpatrick (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600692 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

07 Track: The Highland Schottische 3.08
Tunes:
O Théid Mi Fhìn Le Mo Ghaol (I will go myself with my love) (Iain MacLeod., arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Càit Am Bi Na Maraichean? (Where will the sailors be?) (Trad., arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
’S I Mòrag (It was Morag) (Trad., arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Mòr A’ Cheannaich (Morag the grocer’s daughter) (Trad., arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Domhnall Magaidh (Donald Maggie) (Trad., arr. Malcolm Jones)| Publisher: MCPS
ISRC: GBCAD2600694 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

08 Track: Saint Bernard’s Waltz 3.04
Tunes:
Uibhist Mo Ghràidh (Uist My Love) (Alasdair Matheson, arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Am Falbh Thu Leam A Rìbhinn Òg (Will you come with me young lady) (Alexander Sinclair, arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Balaich An Iasgaich (Lads of the fishing) (Donald Morrison, arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Eilean Beag Donn A’ Chuain (Little brown isle of the sea) (Donald Morrison, arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
Muile Na Mòr Bheann (Mull of the high mountains) (Duncan Livingstone, arr. Malcolm Jones) | Publisher: MCPS
ISRC: GBCAD2600695 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

09 Track: The Flying Scotsman 4.43
Tunes:
Quindaro (Trad. Arr. Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
The Chorus Jig (Trad., arr. Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Sarah’s Reel (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Sam’s Reel (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600696 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

10 Track: The Eva Three Step 2.35
Tunes:
‘B’ Company, 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders Farewell to North Arm (G.Thow) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
Finlay Turnbull’s 30th Welcome (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600698 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

11 Track: The Gay Gordons 3.40
Tunes:
The Lads o’ Brims (Fifty Years On) (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600688 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

12 Track: The Southern Rose Waltz 3.12
Tunes:
The Collector (Freeland Barbour) | Publisher: Bonskeid Music
ISRC: GBCAD2600699 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

13 Track: The Canadian Barn Dance 3.21
Tunes:
Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban (Archie MacNeill) | Publisher: The College of Piping
The Balkan Hills (J.Gillan) | Publisher: Paterson’s Publications
ISRC: GBCAD2600689 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

14 Track: TStrip The Willow 4.20
Tunes:
Cork Hill (Trad.) | Publisher: Paterson’s Publications
The Jig of Slurs (G.S.McLennan) | Publisher: Paterson’s Publications
The Leg of a Duck (Trad./3rd+4th Parts by D.MacLeod) | Publisher: Pipers’ Supply Co.
Allan MacPherson of Mosspark (Angus MacDonald) | Publisher: Paterson’s Publications
ISRC: GBCAD2600701 | Tune Code: N/A | Record Label: Bonskied Music

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