The Glencraig Scottish Dance Band was formed in 1983 when Nicol McLaren, then a salesman in Blairgowrie, was asked by a customer if he could put together a band for a church social. From that gig came another half dozen bookings and the Glencraig SDB was born.
The band has gone on to become one of the most popular Scottish dance bands with appearances all over the country and abroad and regualr invitations to play on BBC Radio Scotland's long-running "Take the Floor" programme presented weekly by Robbie Shepherd MBE.
The band personnel has changed several times, but their sound is essentially the same. Maureen Rutherford played and recorded with them for a number of years, and now Isobelle Hodgson is their regular piano player – although Graham Berry still plays with them. Davie Bell is the drummer but Robert Simpson can frequently be found wielding the sticks. Regular fiddler is still Gordon Howe, but Nicol also calls on the services of Patsy Reid or Judith Linton on occasion. Neil Caul, Hamish Smith or James Leask play second accordion.
If a dance caller is needed then Campbell Hunter or Karin Ingram can lead the floor.
Annual gigs include St Andrew's Night in Bahrain, The Shetland Festival, Up Helly Aa and New Year's Eve in The Spittal of Glenshee.
The band was named after bandleader Nicol McLaren’s working collies, Glen and Craig. | 
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