The video above is from a ball in Bologna, Italy. The dancing is not specifically correct, but it  is  joyous fun!

• We dance Scottish because it brings us joy

• No partner needed because we change partners every dance

• Easy to learn because New Beginner Classes start in September, 2 locations, on the subway

• Your new, most-fun-ever fitness and social activity starts here >>  click

Youth Classes, any time, Sept to May: Info here>>>

Dance for joy

Scottish Country Dance is lively, multi-generational, and rollicking good fun!

There are 6 “monthly dances” each season, with wonderful live music. The March dance, and Family Christmas dance, especially welcome dancers from the Beginner Classes. There are two formal /semi-formal balls each year, and many special events.  Here are some video links to show you typical dances, and typical Toronto dancers!

Some ceilidh-style dances: 

• Braveheart (circle dance)    • Kingston Flyer     • Knot on a Ferryboat (circle dance) 

Some high-energy Scottish country dances:

• St Andrews Fair   • Joe MacDiarmid’s Jig   • Well Done Jack   •  Antarctica Bound   •  The Sailor                 

• Rest And Be Thankful   • Red Nose Jig (sq set)   •  A Trip To Crinan            

Two more-challenging dances:

• Reel of the 51st Highland Division (all male set)   • The Peat Road

Some Short Strathspeys:

• The Swan & The Tay (3x)   • St John River (a dance metaphor)   •  We Reely Progressed (4s32, Rosedale Parent class)   

About Scottish Social Dance. . .

Scottish country dance is the traditional social dance of Scotland. It’s based on ancient folk dances, mixed with elements of ballet, influences from the Royal court of France, and some overlap with Highland dancing. Scottish country dance was carried around the world by Scottish immigrants, and by Highland regiments. It remains popular world-wide, and in unlikely places such as Paris, Japan, and Moscow <some international events>.

SCD is great fun for young and old but it IS challenging mentally and physically. You must be fit, and quick on the uptake. Some people can pick it up on the fly, but the better way is to take Lessons.

Some of the dances we do are over 300 years old; many are newly (and cleverly) devised to incorporate intricate formations. We dance lively jigs and reels and the distinctively Scottish, very stately, Strathspey. We also dabble in marches and waltzes. To learn more, click on Lessons.

Classes for young people are available here.

Any number of journal articles and studies have shown the social and health benefits of dancing in general and Scottish country dancing in particular. Anyone who dances Scottish country will tell you "It's fun!".

Have questions? Want answers?
Download this pamphlet of Questions & Answers: Scottish-Country-Dance-info.pdf

If you saw this ad in your 2019 Shaw Festival brochure, we hope it awakened your interest in Scottish Country Dance — a joyous form of social dance, ancient as Brigadoon, still kicking up its heels, and popular worldwide.

Please join our “Tickle List” so we can alert you to the start of classes, and other opportunities to Dance Scottish.

Worldwide Branch Finder:

Find a group near you at rscds.org
There are 159 Branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society around the world.

Branches in the Great Lakes area:

• Toronto (you are here)  • St Catharines  • Montreal  • Kingston • Buffalo • others

© 2014-19 RSCDS Toronto
RSCDS Toronto is a not-for-profit affiliate of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Edinburgh, Scotland. HM Queen Elizabeth is our Patron.

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