Una semana de bailes en el borde de las Tierras Altas
La Escuela de Invierno es el evento anual más prestigioso de la Sociedad. Tiene lugar durante cinco días en el hotel Atholl Palace, con 150 participantes procedentes del Reino Unido, Europa continental, Norteamérica y Australasia. El momento cumbre de la Escuela de Invierno es el espléndido Baile de Gala que tiene lugar en el majestuoso entorno del Castillo de Blair.
It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of Winter School 2021. The Board has taken this difficult decision due to the continuing uncertainty and restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any queries, please get in touch with the staff team.
Winter School
The RSCDS Winter School is one of our premier events. Attendees stay in the Atholl Palace Hotel, a four-star Victorian accommodation, that it is the epitome of comfort.
Classes are held at different venues around the town of Pitlochry, a gorgeous village nestled at the edge of the Highlands. All venues are accessible by foot and/or car, and some are located in Atholl Palace. With classes being held every morning and optional classes or sessions in the afternoon, there is the potential for a full day of dancing; that is, if your feet are up for it!
For 2019 we are pleased to have Pat Houghton as Director. The staff for Winter School are:
Teachers | Musicians |
Pat Houghton | Ian Robertson |
Sue Porter | Jim Lindsay |
William Williamson | Muriel Johnstone |
Graham Donald | Marian Anderson |
Classes
Please note that there has been a change to the class selector. Everyone should read the information carefully before selecting a class. All classes will include technique.
Please see below for the class selector:
- Class A: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes.
- Class B: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense.
- Class C: You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.
- Class D (if sufficient numbers): You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense
- Class E (if sufficient numbers): You are relatively new to Scottish country dancing and are less familiar with the steps and formations. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.

Please see below for the class selector:
- Class A: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes.
- Class B: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense.
- Class C: You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.
- Class D (if sufficient numbers): You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense
- Class E (if sufficient numbers): You are relatively new to Scottish country dancing and are less familiar with the steps and formations. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.

Please see below for the class selector:
- Class A: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes.
- Class B: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense.
- Class C: You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.
- Class D (if sufficient numbers): You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense
- Class E (if sufficient numbers): You are relatively new to Scottish country dancing and are less familiar with the steps and formations. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.

Please see below for the class selector:
- Class A: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes.
- Class B: You are familiar with the RSCDS Manual and can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in Lists 1 & 2 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense.
- Class C: You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You are sufficiently fit to maintain a high standard of dancing throughout the morning classes. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.
- Class D (if sufficient numbers): You can execute, to a high standard, all the steps and formations in List 1 below. You might not be able to sustain a high level of stamina all morning and prefer a class that is less intense
- Class E (if sufficient numbers): You are relatively new to Scottish country dancing and are less familiar with the steps and formations. You wish to develop and improve your dancing in general.

Winter School fees
Below is the pricing structure for Winter School 2019. Please note that spaces fill up quickly and there is no guarantee of a spot.
Type | Cost |
Shared room | £720 |
Non-dancing partner | £720 |
The School is open only to dancers attending on a residential basis. Most of the accommodation in the hotel is in twin/double rooms or family rooms.
We have shared rooms available at £720 each. Please note that, because of a change to our VAT arrangements, non-dancing partners will have to pay full fees; alternatively, it may be more suitable to make arrangements with the Atholl Palace Hotel directly: tel number 01796 472400.
The RSCDS is under no liability whatsoever in respect of any personal loss or injury which you may sustain and you agree to conform with any regulations which may be made. You are strongly advised to take out suitable insurance cover.
If you withdraw before 30th November 2018, you will be entitled to a refund of your fees, less an administration charge of £70.00. If you withdraw after that date, you will not be entitled to a refund.
General
The School is open to dancers over the age of 16, on a residential basis only.
Booking should be completed as soon as possible and before 1st November. Late applications may be considered if space is available.
Accommodation
Please note, when you are completing the booking form, that most of the accommodation offered in the hotel is based on shared accommodation with either twin beds or double bed. Please indicate with whom you wish to share. If you do not do so the hotel will allocate you to a room.
There is a very limited number of single occupancy rooms. These are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis.
There is a limited number of spaces for non-dancing partners, sharing a room.
Fees
The standard fee for the Winter School is £800.00 per person if sharing a room, £850.00 for single occupancy. Fees include, dinner, bed and breakfast. Lunch may be purchased in the hotel if wished. Fees for dancers also include all tuition, tea/coffee served during class breaks, social dances, transfer (by bus) and ticket for the Blair Castle Ball.
Classes
Classes offered will depend on demand. There will be classes on four mornings from 9.30am - 10.45am and 11.15am - 12.30pm. There will be optional activities on some afternoons.
Social Dancing
There will be social dancing on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings from 8.15pm. On Wednesday evening there will be a concert followed by ceilidh dancing. On Thursday there will be a ball in Blair Castle from 8.30pm - 11.00pm, the cost of this is included in the fee. Please bring formal dress if possible.
Booklet
Detailed information booklets will be provided upon receipt of your fee.
Shop
The shop will be open on dates and at times to be confirmed. Because of space, our shop stock will be limited and we will only be able to fill branch orders if the order is received at the RSCDS office in advance. Other Branch orders will be forwarded to the RSCDS office for completion.
Registration
Your room will be available from 3.00pm on Sunday 17th February 2019.
Guests should aim to arrive in time to attend the wine reception at 5.15pm before the evening dinner. Guests should vacate their rooms after breakfast on the final morning and return their keys to the hotel desk.
Location & venues
The venues for Winter School are located in both Atholl Palace and around the town of Pitlochry. After breakfast at Atholl Palace there is more than enough time to get to your class, get ready and start dancing as venues are located centrally in town as well as in the hotel.
For more information on the Atholl Palace Hotel, please visit their website: https://www.athollpalace.com