The Occasionals at 40

‘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 a special ‘Take The Floor’ programme from Glasgow’s Celtic Connections in January 2026. They’ve pulled out all the stops with a 9-piece band and dance music to match.

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 music, Jimmy Little, to join them for one track.

It was some party and here it is.

The Occasionals are -

Alison Smith - Fiddle.
Angie MacEachern - Fiddle.
Duncan MacGillivray - Pipes, Whistle, Harmonica.
Freeland Barbour - Accordion.
Kevin Macleod - Tenor Banjo, Mandolin.
Gus Millar - Drums.
Mairi Campbell - Fiddle, Viola.
Malcolm Jones - Guitar, Accordio
Neil MacMillan - Electric Piano, Double Bass.


Tracks

01

The Call of The Pipes

2:39
  • The 51st Highland Division — Donald MacLeod
  • The Thistle of Scotland — John McKay
02

The Military Two Step

2:33
  • Ronald Cooper — Frank Jamieson
03

The Jacky Tar Two-Step

3:19
  • Ian Hardie’s Welcome — Duncan MacGillivray
  • Campbell’s Heels — Freeland Barbour
04

The Pride of Erin Waltz

3:55
  • Cille Mhoire — Freeland Barbour
  • Tràigh Orasaigh — Freeland Barbour
05

The Ideal Schottische

3:32
  • Jimmy Little of Christon Bank — Freeland Barbour

Featuring Jimmy Little on harmonica

06

The Britannia Two Step

3:38
  • Oh Joe the boat’s a’goin’ over — John Read
  • Salute to The Church Barn Squeezers — Freeland Barbour
  • Salute to John Kirkpatrick — Freeland Barbour
07

The Highland Schottische

3:08
  • O Théid Mí Fhin Le Mo Ghaol (I will go myself with my love) — Iain MacLeod
  • Càit Am Bi Na Maraichean? (Where will the sailors be?) — Trad.
  • ’S I Mòrag (It was Morag) — Trad.
  • Mòr A’ Cheannaich (Morag the grocer’s daughter) — Trad.
  • Domhnall Magaidh (Donald Maggie) — Trad.

All arranged by Malcolm Jones

08

Saint Bernard’s Waltz

3:04
  • Uibhist Mo Ghràidh (Uist My Love) — Alasdair Matheson
  • Am Falbh Thu Leam A Ribhinn Òg (Will you come with me young lady) — Alexander Sinclair
  • Balaich An Iasgaich (Lads of the fishing) — Donald Morrison
  • Eilean Beag Donn A’ Chuain (Little brown isle of the sea) — Donald Morrison
  • Muile Na Mòr Bheann (Mull of the high mountains) — Duncan Livingstone

All arranged by Malcolm Jones

09

The Flying Scotsman

4:43
  • Quindaro — Trad., arr. Freeland Barbour
  • The Chorus Jig — Trad., arr. Freeland Barbour
  • Sarah’s Reel — Freeland Barbour
  • Sam’s Reel — Freeland Barbour
10

The Eva Three Step

2:35
  • ‘B’ Company, 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders
  • Farewell to North Arm — G. Thow
  • Finlay Turnbull’s 30th Welcome — Freeland Barbour
11

The Gay Gordons

3:40
  • The Lads o’ Brims (Fifty Years On) — Freeland Barbour
12

The Southern Rose Waltz

3:12
  • The Collector — Freeland Barbour
13

The Canadian Barn Dance

3:21
  • Donald MacLean’s Farewell to Oban — Archie MacNeill
  • The Balkan Hills — J. Gillan
14

Strip The Willow

4:20
  • Cork Hill — Trad.
  • The Jig of Slurs — G.S. McLennan
  • The Leg of a Duck — Trad. / 3rd & 4th parts by D. MacLeod
  • Allan MacPherson of Mosspark — Angus MacDonald
"What a blessing it was to stand on stage and witness such an incredible piece of history in the making. Time moves on, but The Occasionals remain every bit as relevant today as they were when they first outgrew their nappies 40 years ago. Congratulations to this pioneering band – and here's to more continued success for the next 40!"
— Gary Innes, Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland ‘Take The Floor’
The Occasionals at 40
2026 - BONS CD 707
£10 + P&P
Delivery UK: £2
"What a blessing it was to stand on stage and witness such an incredible piece of history in the making. Time moves on, but The Occasionals remain every bit as relevant today as they were when they first outgrew their nappies 40 years ago. Congratulations to this pioneering band – and here's to more continued success for the next 40!"
— Gary Innes, Presenter, BBC Radio Scotland ‘Take The Floor’