Apply for your Ceilidh Participation Licence
Reference: CLA/2026/NN-118 • Last updated 28 August 2026
Under the Ceilidh Conduct Act, any person who is not of confirmed Scottish descent, birth, or residency wishing to participate in a ceilidh — including but not limited to Strip the Willow, the Gay Gordons, and any unsupervised attempt at Dashing White Sergeant — must hold a valid Non-Native Reeling Licence before setting foot on the dance floor.
WHO NEEDS A LICENCE?
- Anyone attending a ceilidh who cannot prove at least one Scottish grandparent
- Anyone who has ever referred to a ceilidh as a "hoedown"
- Anyone planning to attempt an "Auchtermuchty Turn" without formal instruction
- Guests of the bride or groom joining via marriage into a Scottish family
Applicants are strongly advised to submit their form well in advance of any planned ceilidh attendance. Licences cannot be expedited, gifted, or transferred, and no allowance is made for weddings, anniversaries, or other "urgent" family occasions.
This notice is issued under Section 4.2(b) of the Ceilidh Conduct Act (Not Real), which does not exist, has never existed, and was invented purely for the purposes of this webpage. Ceilidh Licensing Authority of Scotland is not a real organisation. No licence is required, has ever been required, or will ever be required to dance badly at a ceilidh. Everyone is welcome.