Scottish Country Dance:
Fun, Fitness, Friendship
Worldwide

 
About RSCDS Toronto >>About.html
Demo Pool >>Demo-Pool.html

  1. We Dance Scottish because. .  .   • It brings us joy   • You don’t need to be a couple – we change partners every dance   • Beginner Classes are on the subway – downtown and north Toronto

  Youth Classes, Sept to May: Info here


Dance for joy

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

There are 6 dances each season with wonderful live music. Beginners are especially welcome at March Beginners’ Night, and at the Family Christmas dance. 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 easy-peasy 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 Dance: It's old. . . it's new. . . it's fun. . . it's social.

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.

General Questions & Health Benefits

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






 
Toronto Books & Leaflet Dances >leaflets.html

In-Person Classes resume Postponed

Pre-registration required ~ Complete this online form

or email Classes Convenor Sue Ann Bryce

Class details and covid protocols


Social Dancing in person:  Postponed

Eastminster United Church ~ Details: What’s On Near

 
Some Social Groups are back to in-person dancing – Confirm before attending. Details on the Social Groups page.Social_Groups.htmlSocial_Groups.htmlshapeimage_8_link_0
Current covid restrictions require 
cancellation of all in-person dance events until further notice