WHAT IS SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

Scottish Country Dancing is the social form of dancing that was developed in Scotland. Scottish Country Dancing is not to be confused with Highland Dancing which is competitive, as opposed to social.

Dancers are grouped into sets. These sets can be made up of 3, 4 or 5 couples who are arranged in either 2 lines, a square set of even a triangle on the odd occasion.

There are 3 rhythms in Scottish Country Dancing. The Reel and Jig which are the more lively and faster of the 3 and then the graceful, slower Strathspey.

A dance is made up in bars of 8 and can be anything from 32 bars to 64 bars or longer. Each couple will dance these bars as First Couple and then progress down the set. If, for example, a dance is 32 bars for 3 couples in a 4 couple set, each couple will dance the 32 bars twice. Once from First Position and again from Second Position. Therefore, this means that the music is played through 8 times, so every couple gets to progress to First Couple position. It sounds complicated, but it all makes sense when you see the dancing in action.

Each couple in the set, works together to dance a sequence of formations. This will move them to a new location with the set and the dance is repeated enough times to bring the couples back to their original positions.

Scottish Country Dancing is very sociable, great fun and exercise for the body and mind, all done to the beat of wonderful music.

We welcome everyone, beginners or experienced, to come and join our Group.

No partner nor special clothes are necessary. A pair of soft, flat shoes are recommended.

Come on. Give it a try. Who knows - you might enjoy it.