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 - 28th May 2021

This week’s “What’s Behind the Name?” is taking you to the top of Scotland for not one but six dance connections; the “At Home Podcast” hosts a discussion on the use of music in Scottish country dance classes; and “A Year of RSCDS Books” reaches Books 8 and 45 – have you a favourite dance from either of these books?

At Home Podcast

Luke is joined by Andrew Nolan. As a dancer, teacher, musician and candidate tutor, Andrew has plenty of experience to bring to a chat discussing the use of music in Scottish country dance classes. Luke and Andrew compare notes and opinions on what to play for Scottish country dance steps with music provided by Jim Lindsay, Bobby Crowe, Neil Barron and Muriel Johnstone as well as Andrew himself.

What's behind the name?

Johnny Groat's House, The Reel of Mey and The Castle of Mey: Three dances for this week’s ‘What’s Behind the Name’ all of which have a connection with the far north of Scotland - plus a bonus of three sea-based dances!

Global youth

We may still have to wait a little while until we can enjoy a great ceilidh evening again - with driving tunes, easy, engaging dances (and partners 😊) and lots of fun. In the meantime, why not think up a dance to try out when we can?
 
The Virtual Spring Fling's 'devise a ceilidh dance' workshop picked up on this idea. Gary Coull introduced the session giving dancers and musicians three basic 'what to think of' ideas: make it easy, make it work with the music, make it fun.

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 - 9TH JUNE 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    RSCDS BOOKS - DANCE TITLES

RSCDS news

Why not have a listen to the music from the Ceilidh Dance Devising Session on streaming sites, or buy them from the RSCDS Shop?
They were:
Guide to Scottish Country Dance Volume 1 by Colin Dewar and his Scottish Dance Band: The Boston Two-Step; Eva Three-Step; Gay Gordons; Highland Scottische; Pride of Erin Waltz; Dunnet Head; Canadian Barn Dance

RSCDS CD Book 39 by Kenny Thomson and the Wardlaw Scottish Dance Band: The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh

Thirty Popular Dances Volume 2 Part 2 by Colin Dewar and his Scottish Dance Band: Postie’s Jig

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