We have never experienced a time like this. To help support the worldwide community of Scottish country dancers, we are issuing a series of newsletters to our members and subscribers - Dance Scottish At Home. This will develop and improve as time goes on, and we will be responding to what you would like to see and read. Our aim is to include articles, music, games, podcasts and online classes that will entertain and connect us with our dancing friends across the globe.

You are encouraged to share Dance Scottish At Home with dancers and musicians in your Group, Branch and wider network. We are all part of the Scottish dance family and now is the time to show it. 

Your feedback and ideas are welcome – please click here to share them with us.

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Dance Scottish At Home - 26th March 2021

Welcome to a very special issue of Dance Scottish At Home as we mark one year since the first edition was distributed. Nobody knew how the year would progress and when we started, the team definitely had no idea that it would still be creating and delivering content one year on.

At Home Podcast

Luke has put together something a little bit different to mark World Poetry Day which this year took place on Sunday 21st March. Listen in to hear RSCDS Chairman Elect, William Williamson, reading excerpts from Tam o’ Shanter by Robert Burns with helpful explanations from Luke.

There’s poetry and songs from Liz Lochhead - past Scottish Makar (Scotland’s National Poet), Michael Marra - the Dundee Bard and Norman MacCaig - 20th century Scottish poet, all woven together with music from Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith, the Craigowl Scottish Dance Band, as well as Bobby Crowe and his Scottish Dance Band.

What's behind the name?

A dance that was inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem Lady of the Lake, which he published in 1810 - but who was the lady and where is the lake? The lady was Ellen Douglas, daughter of the fugitive James Douglas, her home was on Ellen’s isle in the middle of Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.  Although not based on historical events, Scott’s poem draws on elements that did occur in Scottish history.

A year of RSCDS books

Reaching RSCDS Book 6, we complete the dances in the first combined volume available in print and as an e-book – Books 1 to 6.
 
Book 6 was published in 1930, the original publication had a deep red cover and music arranged by Herbert Wiseman. Why mention the colour of the cover? Well, for many years, the colours were how books were recognised. The earliest source noted is that for the strathspey “Lennox Love to Blantyre” from the early 18th century, and the book also contains the popular dance for children, the 16 bar, round the room, jig “Prince of Orange” and the ever popular reel “Mrs MacLeod”.

The latest online class

Join a different RSCDS Teacher each week for a mixture of basic movements, warm ups, technique and steps to keep you active. Live every Wednesday at 19:00 UK time, the class will give you the chance to dance with RSCDS members around the world at the same time.  *Please note that not all recorded classes begin immediately - skip ahead on the recording to find the start time, or just let it run and enjoy the music!* 

ONLINE CLASS - 14TH APRIL 2021   ALL ONLINE CLASSES

Dance puzzles

Do you enjoy solving puzzles? This week we have provided 2 challenges to entertain, perplex and intrigue you. 

JIGSAW PUZZLE    BIRTHDAY ANAGRAMS

RSCDS news

Please note that the RSCDS office will be closed over the Easter period on Friday 2 April and Monday 5 April. 

The 'Dances to Song Tunes' by Hugh Foss album is no longer available as a CD, however we are delighted to announce that you can now enjoy this album via Amazon, YouTube Music and MusicApple. Visit here to find out more.

The accompanying 'Dances to Song Tunes' book is also available through the RSCDS shop, so visit now to grab your copy for only £8.50 with your RSCDS member discount.

The books mentioned in DSAH this week are Book 6, Book 25 and Book 47 – these are all available through the RSCDS shop.

Find the full Dance Scottish At Home newsletter here >

"I greatly appreciate the innovative way that the RSCDS has ensured that we all keep up our dance skills and stay connected to one another throughout this challenging time.  It was a real treat to have Angela teach the class accompanied by her husband, Graham on the piano.

Thank you again to the imaginative team at RSCDS for implementing this social connection for all of us in the worldwide dancing community."

 Helene and Douglas Nelson,  rscdsgleneagles.org