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 - 29th January 2021

Welcome to Dance Scottish At Home and a new edition, packed full of dancing, musical and Scottish facts and fun to keep you entertained. In this issue we share the Burns’ Night memories and stories that have arrived in the DSAH mailbox.

At Home Podcast

In this week’s At Home Podcast, RSCDS Music Director, Luke Brady, brings some specially recorded tracks to celebrate Valentine’s Day – first up are accordionists Graham Bell and Steven Carcary, and then there’s a track from fiddler Keith Smith and pianist Anne Laure Latour.

A Winter Evening

On Saturday 27th February join the RSCDS for a brand, new virtual event – it may not be possible for dancers to join together in Pitlochry for the 2021 RSCDS Winter School, but hopefully you will enjoy connecting through “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”.

Sign in from 20:00 GMT and chat with the global dance community. Then at 20:15 GMT join for “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”:

Hosted by William Williamson, Chairman Elect and Winter School Co-Ordinator there will be a playlist of popular dances to RSCDS recorded music accompanied by videos of dancing from RSCDS events with photos and background dance information. Each video will be introduced by the 2022 Winter School Teachers and the evening will include musical moments from the 2022 Winter School Musicians. 

Enjoy from a cosy sofa or dance around the living room!  As usual, the Chat will be open throughout for the worldwide dance community to connect with each other. We look forward to joining you virtually on Saturday 27th February for “Dance Scottish - A Winter Evening”.

FIND OUT MORE

What's behind the name?

The Countess of Dunmore's Reel - A modern dance dedicated to a 19th century Countess who had inherited the Isle of Harris estate after the death of her husband, the 6th Earl of Dunmore.  Following the 1872 Education (Scotland) Act, Catherine, Duchess of Dunmore, gave lands in Harris to the School Board for the building of schools. One of these schools was at Finsbay on the east side of Harris which was attended by the dance devisor’s family.  But who were the Earls of Dunmore and why did they have such an impact on the rugged and beautiful Isle of Harris?

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 - 17TH FEBRUARY 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 CROSSWORD

RSCDS news

The Board held an extra meeting on 30 January. Please log in to read the meeting highlights under the MB Noticeboard.  With regret, Board members were unanimous in making the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Summer School in St Andrews.

Without our dedicated volunteers, the running of the RSCDS would not be possible. Please click the links below to view the current vacancies and find out more:

• Treasurer
• Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer

Although physical shop orders are still suspended due to the current lockdown restrictions, the good news is that digital books and music are still available to purchase online through the digital collection as usual including the newly added A Fife Fairing.

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