The best tempo for dances will vary according to where you are, and what social grouping you are playing for. Historically,in Britain people have tended to play faster in the north, and slower in the south.I cut my teeth playing in traditional bands in Lancashire in the 60's, so I naturally feel a "right" tempo in my head appropriate for there. So I tend to feel Scottish bands are too fast, and the south coast and Cotswold clumpers too slow. Interestingly, modern researched showed this regional variation could be statistically traced in the popularities of tracks played for dancing at night clubs throughout Britain. After that research was published I wrote a letter to the Guraidian (see below). This contians followable links to the reports of that research.

"The research in your article (Rhythm of life is quicker up north, February 5) mirrors what has been often observed historically, most famously by Keats 200 years ago. He went to a dance in Ireby in Cumberland, and said the local dancing compared to London as did beating up batter to stirring a cup of tea. This pattern applies to folk music to this day, just as much as to dance music in clubs. I find the fusion band Shooglenifty at full pelt in Scotland a bit overexciting, whereas if I go to Brighton and hear Dan Quinn and Will Duke play I often fall asleep while waiting for them to play the next note.
Greg Stephens
Stoke-on-Trewnt"