Many thanks to the Detroit Branch website for these great FAQs!
What is Scottish Country Dance?
It is form of social dancing danced by a group of couples generally positioned adjacent to each other in two parallel lines, the gentlemen facing the ladies. Scottish Country Dancing is done all around the world. Once you learn the basic steps and formations, you can find places to dance anywhere in the world. It is a form of dancing which enables the dancer to dance with and meet many other dancers during the course of an evening (click here to see an example of Scottish Country Dancing).
What is the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society .... (R.S.C.D.S.)?
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) was formed on November 26, 1923 in Glasgow and is now an international organization having a membership of 25,000, with 200 branches and 500 affiliated groups worldwide. It is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.
What is the Detroit Branch?
The Detroit Branch was established in 1980. The branch's goals are to provide instruction in Scottish Country Dancing, and to preserve and promote Scottish Country Dancing and its music. Typical activities are Branch classes, workshops, social dance sessions, demonstrations, and formal balls.
What do I wear to dance?
For classes, comfortable clothing with soft soled comfortable shoes for the beginner which may be exchanged for the traditional "ghillie "for men or women or a dancing pump for women as the dancers become more experienced.
Do I need a partner?
No, as stated in the explanation of country dance, most dancing is done with a different partner for each dance and danced in parallel lines across from each other.
What type of music is used?
Dances are done in Reel time, Jig time, or Strathspey time from live and recorded music.
What are the basic steps?
They fall into two categories, traveling steps and setting steps all of which are danced on the balls of the feet with the heels off the floor. Country dances are composed of formations which are arranged in different sequences to form specific dances.