I started dancing during my first year at Primary School and have never stopped! Scottish Country Dancing has taken me across the globe to teach and pass on the enjoyment of this very special cultural activity that brings people together in a typically Scottish “come and join us” way. Linda and I have been members of the Dumfries branch all of our lives and it has been an honour to serve the Society in many ways over the years. My wife Linda is at present the Convenor of our Youth Services Committee helping to create opportunities for young people to enjoy Scottish Country Dancing.  It’s also my pleasure to present “The Blether“ podcast each month with Gary Coull talking to guests who have an interest in Scotland’s music and dancing.

I enjoyed being in New Zealand and Australia, as the Chair, during the RSCDS centenary year and look forward to meeting many friends once again in Auckland where my colleagues and I can assure you of the very best of Scottish music and dancing.

Fiona has been dancing and teaching for more years than she likes to admit. A lover of strong strathspeys, firm hands and big smiles, she gets a great sense of satisfaction from seeing dancers achieving their best and having fun as they do so.

Apart from dancing, my favourite hobby is gardening. Gardening would trump dancing if I had to choose, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to do both!

Expect to be challenged mentally and physically in my classes, and do some things you have never done before - collaborative, observational, brain yoga etc…

"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together” (Van Gogh)

Elaine trained to teach Home Economics and slid gently into Special Education, a major passion. She gained her B.Ed. whilst working in prisons!

She then gained her full RSCDS teaching certificate under the watchful eye of Anna Holden who loved her teaching and tried so hard to improve her footwork! Her philosophy when teaching is to have lots of fun whilst raising self-esteem. If you believe in yourself, you will relax and go far!

As she is related to the Summer School Organiser, Katherine decided to delegate the writing of her bio to said Organiser...

A professional cellist and music teacher by trade, Katherine received a flyer one day in the mail for Scottish Country Dancing and went along with her (amazing) daughter Emma to see what all the fuss was about. She was hooked. She worked her way up to complex balls, made many friends at New Zealand Summer Schools and day classes, devised several dances, attended the St Andrew's Summer School in Scotland, and completed her own RSCDS teaching qualification.

Katherine adores the flight, joy and teamwork of Scottish Country Dancing, and sharing this with whichever friends, family and APO colleagues she can corral into a set. Outside of the SCD world, she loves languages (boasting a >2000 day streak on Duolingo), music (obviously), books, and marmite and avocado on toast.