THE HARRIS CèILIDH

Share our island spirit IN A SPECIAL WAY

With the help of ceramicist Rupert Blamire, each year we create a very special object to embody the spirit of The Harris Cèilidh.

This year we return with a stunning new special edition bottle - this time inspired by the coastal pink colours of Sea Thrift flowers.

Also known as Sea Pinks, these beautiful wildflowers pop up on the shoreline rocks of Harris each summer with abundant ’pom-pom’ shaped petals and a sweet nectar which is much-loved by the local bumble bees.

Each of these new pink bottles is individually handthrown and unique in character and online orders are also presented in a gorgeous box full of colour, embossing and Harris Cèilidh storytelling.

At a half-standard 350ml in size, the Harris Cèilidh Bottle is ideal to present and pour, helping to better enjoy an evening among old friends and family..

Great spirits, great company, great music.

A long-held Outer Hebridean tradition, the word Cèilidh simple means “a visit” in our native Scottish Gaelic language.

This isn’t about kilts and Highland dancing, in fact the real heart of the cèilidh lies in a much more relaxed and informal gathering of family and friends anywhere you call home.

The Harris Cèilidh celebrates the simple pleasures in life, and the essential ingredients are easy: good company, good music, and of course, good drink!

Here's a special Harris Cèilidh cocktail to get you started...

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The Pink Cèilidh Gimlet

50 ml Isle of Harris Gin

50 ml  Grapefruit Juice

10 ml Lime Juice

25 ml Simple Syrup

Pink Grapefruit wheel to garnish

1. Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until the ingredients are well combined and the outside of the cocktail shaker feels very cold.
3. Double strain into a coupe glass or a cocktail glass of your choice, or serve it on the rocks if you prefer!
4. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel to finish.

STREAM THE BEST OF TRAD TUNES

We're proud to host The Isle of Harris Gin Cèilidh Tent at the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival here in the islands each year.

And, we even take the HebCelt cèilidh to the distillery with lots of happenings here in Tarbert too!

Join us in-person or on our live online streams as we help get the party started with plenty of island spirit and musical talent from across the Outer Hebrides and beyond.

Meantime, we've curated a double album of island music on Spotify from this year's line-up to help your own gatherings go with a swing.

It's a real mix of Outer Hebridean toe-tappers and neo-traditional feet-stompers to enjoy while you share your Isle of Harris Gin...

YOUR GUIDE TO CÈILIDH CULTURE

We love a cèilidh here in Harris but we know that our global friends will be new to the idea!

So, to help things along, we’ve created a special digital edition of our Harris Cèilidh book to explain the tradition and how to hold your own and where in the world.

You'll find it packed full of creative cocktails, seafood serves, and music to stream. 

There's also a fun 7 Step Guide to throwing your own cèilidh at home, an island tall tale to tell, and even some Gaelic phrases to try!

“Thigibh a chèilidh!”