Scottish Country Dancing Resources
Instructions, Videos, and Music
- The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, celebrating its 100th anniversary year in 2023, is a worldwide membership organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Scottish Country Dances: https://rscds.org
- The Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary website has information on all aspects of dancing as well as a large collection of dance cribs and links to dance videos: https://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/
- Take the Floor, BBC Scotland provides videos and radio programs featuring traditional Scottish music and song: Take the Floor
- A resource for teachers of Scottish Country Dancing: Canada Teachers’ Association
Scottish Dancing Helpful hints
- Whether in class or in a social setting, dance with a variety of partners.
- Both men and women should feel free to ask anyone to dance. If you intend to dance a particular dance, it is courteous to accept the first person to ask you. It is impolite to decline and wait for a “better offer.”
- In forming sets, always join at the bottom. Do not cut in above couples who have already joined.
- Listen quietly and attentively to instructions.
- Make eye contact with your partner and other dancers. Smile!
- When assisting less experienced dancers, keep verbal directions to a minimum, use eye contact and appropriate gestures (such as offering the correct hand or shoulder). Be kind! Everyone was a beginner dancer at one time.
- Dance programs (briefs) are available before balls and other events. Use the dance briefs and other resources to familiarize yourself with the dances. You and the other dancers in your set will enjoy the program more if you are prepared. Dance instructions are shared freely, and the same dance will be performed the same way, whether you are in Scotland, Canada, the United States, Japan, or Australia. Take your ghillies (dance shoes) and travel the world!
- Remember that everyone makes mistakes, including experienced dancers.. If a dance breaks down, stay calm and prepare for the next phrase or repetition.
- Thank your partner and the set at the end of each dance.
Scottish Country Dancing Resources
Nearby Branches
RSCDS Windsor
Classes meet every Wednesday from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm from September to May at Mackenzie Hall, 3277 Sandwich Street in Windsor, Ontario. For more information visit: https://rscdswindsor.org/
RSCDS Chicago
Classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm at the Dance Spot of DuPage, 605 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville, IL 60563. For more information visit: https://rscdschicago.org/
RSCDS Ohio
Branch classes are held in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Cleveland, and Athens, Ohio. For dates/times of dance classes, visit: http://ohiorscds.org/
Are you traveling? Check the list of dance groups on the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society website: https://rscds.org/branch-group-finder Our members have danced in Scotland, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries!
