RSCDS Glasgow

Scottish Country Dancing is the social dancing of Scotland. It belongs to the family of dance forms which also includes English country, traditional Newfoundland and Square dancing. Scottish Country Dancing is characterised by the style of music, often Scots, Irish or early American and its attention to footwork.

Since 1923, the RSCDS and the Glasgow Branch has been promoting the enjoyment of traditional Scottish Country Dancing. The Society is an international organisation of more than 20,000 members in 169 branches and 383 affiliated groups worldwide.

The dancers arrange themselves in two parallel lines, partners facing each other, to form a longwise set of three, four or five couples. The dances are progressive. The dance continues until all couples have danced from the top position. Country dances may also be danced in a square formation. The dances are co-operative, each dancer assisting the others through the different formations of the dance.

You don't have to be a Scot to find your foot tapping to the irresistible rhythms of our stirring reels and traditional strathspeys. Scottish Country Dancing is energetic and fun, so a great way to keep fit. It's a little more complex than ceilidh or barn dancing, which is why we have weekly practice classes to prepare for the more formal dances.

If you are a beginner or used to dance at school and need a reminder we hold a beginners' class on both sides of the Clyde.

Bring a smile and a sense of fun. Scottish Country Dancing is great exercise for the mind as well as the body. Meet new people and make new friends, be part of our very welcoming family. You certainly won't be left sitting on the sidelines.

If you would like to become a member of Glasgow Branch, click on the link below to obtain a copy of the Membership Application Form. The form will open using Adobe Acrobat. This can be printed from you PC and when completed returned to the Membership Secretary. Details are on the Membership Application Form.

NO! You don't need a partner. Just a desire to get some vigourous exercise while listening to great music and having fun. We change partners for each dance, and, you certainly won't be left sitting on the sidelines - nearly all Scottish Country Dances need at least six people to dance together.

YES! Like most types of dancing, SCD can be quite a workout. We encourage warming up before class and stretching afterwards. The fitter you are the easier it will be to learn. SCD will improve your balance, and maintain mental and aerobic fitness.

NO! There is an emphasis on steps, and the formations can be a little complex, but the basic technique can be learned at a week-end workshop or through a couple of months' worth of practice evenings, once a week. We run beginners classes.

NO! Many dancers find it difficult to learn them all by heart, best to know the steps and formations, as the programmes for social evenings are published well before the event, so everybody can check their crib sheets. Also, at the event itself dances are often recapped or even sometimes walked through before the music starts.

The most popular rhythms are jig, reel, and strathspey. Jigs and reels use basically three different steps and strathspeys use two. There are approximately 15,000 published dances devised by Scots, English, Australians, Canadians, Americans, New Zealanders, Japanese etc. etc. all following the original traditions with an aim to give enjoyment and energy and keep the brain alive and fresh. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, with head office in Edinburgh, has published 45 books of dances and will publish more dances in their new twice yearly magazine.

NO! Men who are used to wearing the kilt find it comfortable for dancing, but many men dance in trousers for several years before investing in a kilt. Women only need to wear clothes in which they can move easily. For dances and balls, which are usually semi-formal, men often wear a kilt or tartan trews and women any smart dress.

NO! Scottish Country Dancing is enjoyed the world over, across Europe and the Americas to Australasia and Japan, by anyone who just loves to dance. There are now more people doing SCD outside Scotland than in it, although some Scots do have the advantage of learning it in school.

Scottish country dancing has a long history, related to both English country dancing and the court dancing of Europe, especially France. It all really started and became very popular early in the 18th century, following the figure dances of the countryside, many set to Scottish or Irish tunes. Some say the only real survivor of European court dancing is the Scottish as it is so friendly and energetic that it gives enjoyment to so many, young and old. For a full story of Country Dancing in Glasgow click here for History.

Welcome, Dancers and Would-be Dancers		Home
Scottish Country Dancing is the social dancing of Scotland. It belongs to the family of dance forms which also includes English country, traditional Newfoundland and Square dancing. Scottish Country Dancing is characterised by the style of music, often Scots, Irish or early American and its attention to footwork.
Since 1923, the RSCDS and the Glasgow Branch has been promoting the enjoyment of traditional Scottish Country Dancing. The Society is an international organisation of more than 20,000 members in 169 branches and 383 affiliated groups worldwide.
The dancers arrange themselves in two parallel lines, partners facing each other, to form a longwise set of three, four or five couples. The dances are progressive. The dance continues until all couples have danced from the top position. Country dances may also be danced in a square formation. The dances are co-operative, each dancer assisting the others through the different formations of the dance.
You don't have to be a Scot to find your foot tapping to the irresistible rhythms of our stirring reels and traditional strathspeys. Scottish Country Dancing is energetic and fun, so a great way to keep fit. It's a little more complex than ceilidh or barn dancing, which is why we have weekly practice classes to prepare for the more formal dances.
If you are a beginner or used to dance at school and need a reminder we hold a beginners' class on both sides of the Clyde.
Bring a smile and a sense of fun. Scottish Country Dancing is great exercise for the mind as well as the body. Meet new people and make new friends, be part of our very welcoming family. You certainly won't be left sitting on the sidelines.
Whoever you are, wherever you are from, come dance with us!
Membership Form
If you would like to become a member of Glasgow Branch, click on the link below to obtain a copy of the Membership Application Form. The form will open using Adobe Acrobat. This can be printed from you PC and when completed returned to the Membership Secretary. Details are on the Membership Application Form.
Membership Form	If you do not have Acrobat Reader on your PC, it is downloadable (free) from the link opposite.
Under 25
Frequently Asked Questions
*Do I need a partner?*
NO! You don't need a partner. Just a desire to get some vigourous exercise while listening to great music and having fun. We change partners for each dance, and, you certainly won't be left sitting on the sidelines - nearly all Scottish Country Dances need at least six people to dance together.
*Is it physical?*
YES! Like most types of dancing, SCD can be quite a workout. We encourage warming up before class and stretching afterwards. The fitter you are the easier it will be to learn. SCD will improve your balance, and maintain mental and aerobic fitness.
*Do I need special shoes?*
NO! Not at first. Most dancers now wear soft leather ‘ghillies' or pumps designed specifically for Scottish Country Dancing, but the beginner should wear any comfortable shoes with a soft non-slip sole e.g. jazz or ballet shoes or canvas 'plimsolls'. Be prepared to dance in socks if wearing heavy street shoes.
*Do I have to study for years before I can go to a dance ?*
NO! There is an emphasis on steps, and the formations can be a little complex, but the basic technique can be learned at a week-end workshop or through a couple of months' worth of practice evenings, once a week. We run beginners classes.
*Must I learn dances by heart?*
NO! Many dancers find it difficult to learn them all by heart, best to know the steps and formations, as the programmes for social evenings are published well before the event, so everybody can check their crib sheets. Also, at the event itself dances are often recapped or even sometimes walked through before the music starts.
*How many dances are there?*
The most popular rhythms are jig, reel, and strathspey. Jigs and reels use basically three different steps and strathspeys use two. There are approximately 15,000 published dances devised by Scots, English, Australians, Canadians, Americans, New Zealanders, Japanese etc. etc. all following the original traditions with an aim to give enjoyment and energy and keep the brain alive and fresh. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, with head office in Edinburgh, has published 45 books of dances and will publish more dances in their new twice yearly magazine.
*Do I have to wear a kilt?*
NO! Men who are used to wearing the kilt find it comfortable for dancing, but many men dance in trousers for several years before investing in a kilt. Women only need to wear clothes in which they can move easily. For dances and balls, which are usually semi-formal, men often wear a kilt or tartan trews and women any smart dress.
*Do I have to be Scottish?*
NO! Scottish Country Dancing is enjoyed the world over, across Europe and the Americas to Australasia and Japan, by anyone who just loves to dance. There are now more people doing SCD outside Scotland than in it, although some Scots do have the advantage of learning it in school.
*What is the history of Scottish Country Dancing?*
Scottish country dancing has a long history, related to both English country dancing and the court dancing of Europe, especially France. It all really started and became very popular early in the 18th century, following the figure dances of the countryside, many set to Scottish or Irish tunes. Some say the only real survivor of European court dancing is the Scottish as it is so friendly and energetic that it gives enjoyment to so many, young and old. For a full story of Country Dancing in Glasgow click here for History.
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