Special thanks to Jon Davey and RSCDS HQ for the images from the RSCDS Autumn Gathering. All other photographs are ©RSCDSEdinburgh unless noted otherwise.
Summer dance 2024 and dancing at the Walpole Hall
From the Chairman 3
Our unforgettable centenary year is now complete. The last six months were full of memorable events that celebrated our history, but also looked forward to the years to come.
Many of you will have seen – and heard – our wonderful Centenary book of fourteen new dances composed by members and friends of the Branch and superbly played on the accompanying CD. Many of the dances and the music honour longstanding contributors to our dancing history, and we hope will keep their memory alive on the dance floors of the next hundred years.
We were delighted to introduce some of these new dances both in our Demonstration team display, which launched the Ball at the RSCDS Autumn Gathering at Meadowbank in November, and then to the dancers at our Christmas dance. While the Centenary looked back across our last hundred years, our pride in the achievements of our young dancers over the last year also encourages us to think about our future. Following their excellent results in their medal tests, and performance at our Afternoon Tea event, the children joined the Demonstration team at the Autumn Gathering in a beautiful medley for an audience of 300+. They were especially captivating in one of our new Centenary dances!
Our AGM in September marked the start of the new dancing year with a Branch scroll of honour awarded to Elizabeth Harry. Members will know that Elizabeth has been a central moving force in the Branch for very many years. It seemed especially fitting that the Centenary should also be the moment to celebrate her contribution to the past – and future – success of the Branch.
Happy Dancing!
David Watson, Chairman
Special thanks to our “Dancing Forth” team who bring every edition to us Elizabeth, Sarah, Edward, Theresa, Christine and Susan. We are always grateful for their work and hope you find this to be another interesting read.
Something new for 2025 Plans are afoot for a new initiative in 2025 where dancers can meet occasionally for tea and coffee and a chance to chat with friends.
Here you will be able to enjoy the social aspects of dancing, even if you can no longer dance. There will be time for lots of chat and some musical entertainment.
Everyone is welcome to join us watch out for more information early in 2025.
With grateful thanks to our many sponsors for their ongoing invaluable support.
• Please inform us if you have moved or if any of your contact details have changed
• RSCDS Edinburgh does not accept any liability for goods and services advertised within our pages
• Members can access additional pages on our website: log in details are on the reverse of your current membership card
• Please contact us if you are a Life member and would like a Centenary membership card
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (Edinburgh Branch) is a charity promoting the fun, fitness and friendship of Scottish country dancing since 1924.
Website: www.rscdsedinburgh.org
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Dancing around the world 4
On 10th October, Maggie, Vivien, Theresa and I set off by train from Waverley station to London, and then by Eurostar to Paris to take part in the 40th Anniversary of the Paris Branch. To make the most of our visit, we had booked a timed slot to visit the Louvre the very next morning. I could not help but be slightly dismayed by the quantity of people queuing, but we moved along quickly and had time to admire our surroundings before entering the famous pyramid structure which leads to the basement entrance to all the galleries. Once we had admired the Mona Lisa, always so small in a vast room, we meandered through and gazed at many paintings, including the massive canvas of the ceremony of Napoleon crowning Josephine. However, I was keen to show the girls the apartments of Napoleon III with their magnificent chandeliers and furniture. As the sun was shining, we strolled along the Seine to wonder at the beautiful, and soon to be re-opened, Notre Dame Cathedral.
The Friday evening dance was, however, always at the forefront of our minds, as we were very unfamiliar with some of the Paris Branch’s own dances. We need not have worried, though, for as is so often the case the music was wonderful and we were swept along by the joyful sound of the clarinet, cello, fiddle, keyboard and recorder which make up the Paris Band. So many familiar faces to greet from many different countries and a very high standard of dancing inspired us to dance our very best!
The Saturday Ball was held in a beautiful hall and we were treated to inspiring music by Keith Smith on fiddle and two musicians from the US, David Knight and Dave Wiesler on keyboard and fiddle. A veritable feast was laid on for the interval, all the food being prepared so decoratively that it was almost a shame to disturb the arrangements!
On Sunday morning we were doubtful our feet would allow us to keep going, but Raphaëlle Orgeret's youthful energy took us through some complex and challenging dances and the morning flew by. We decided to finish the day by making the "must see" trip to the Galleries Lafayette with its vast art nouveau galleried dome, culminating in going to the very top to see the panoramic view of the city from the terrace, while watching the sun set behind the Eiffel Tower with its illuminations.
We continued sightseeing the next day before bidding a fond farewell to the successful 40th anniversary Paris Branch weekend.
There are many events held by other Branches and Groups around the world which are open to all dancers. These are often advertised within the Scottish Country Dancer Magazine, or on the many active Facebook pages for Scottish country dancing. They are a great way to improve your dancing, meet lots of dancers and have fun on a short mini break.
Booking is already is open for the RSCDS Summer School, an action-packed four weeks of dancing in the historic town of St Andrews.
This year there is an incentive to help reduce the cost. A small discount will be available to branch members attending Summer School as a group. Groups must consist of a minimum of six dancers, all be members of the same branch, and all attending in the same week. To benefit from this discount all dancers in the group must be resident in either University Hall or Agnes Blackadder Hall. If you are interested in this, or wish any other information about dancing around the world, please contact us and we can put you in touch with other dancers, Branches and Groups.
Jill Andrews
What’s on 5
Sunday Socials with Dunedin Dancers Sundays 4 February and 3 March
Reid Memorial Church Hall, West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Dancing to Ewan Galloway and Aidan Frost
Join us for a fun afternoon with our friends at Dunedin Dancers. All ages are welcome at these events, so long as you have a reasonable knowledge of basic formations.
Spring Dance Saturday 5 April
Nice’n’Easy Dance Saturday 22 February
Reid Memorial Church Hall, West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Something for everyone at this fun event, no matter how much experience you have dancing to Seonaid Lynn and Roddy Johnston
Reid Memorial Church Hall, West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Step into spring at this new event on our dancing calendar, watch out for more information in our eUpdates.
Annual Ball Saturday 3 May
Combined Societies Dance Friday 2 May
Lauriston Hall, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH10 9DJ
Join us for another memorable evening along with The Atholl Scottish Country Dance Club, Dunedin Dancers, Morningside Scottish Country Dance Club and Trinity Scottish County Dance Club for a fun evening dancing to Colin Dewar and his Scottish dance band
Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2QQ
You are invited to join us as we return to Greyfriars Kirk for our Annual Ball dancing to Sandy Nixon and his Scottish dance band. Save the date for the hottest ticket in town. Tickets will be on sale midJanuary.
Summer dance Saturday 26 July
Reid Memorial Church Hall, West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Get ready for strawberries and cream and lots of fun dances at our Summer dance with music from Graeme Munro and his Scottish dance band.
Autumn dance Saturday 27 September
Reid Memorial Church Hall, West Savile Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 3HY
Our Dancing Through the Decades was such a great success that we are planning another dance in late September as we return to dancing after the summer. Save the date and join us as Aidan Frost and his Scottish dance band treat us to their lively music.
Watch out for Summer dancing at St Mary’s Cathedral again in 2025. These fun evenings are a great opportunity for dancers of all abilities. The programmes ensure that there is something for everyone, and all are welcome to join in the fun.
Once again, if we get a traditional Scottish Summer we will be dancing in the adjacent Walople Hall. This means if it is too wet or cold to dance outdoors the events will all still go ahead.
Dancing Achievement Award (DAA)
If you have been wondering how well you dance and would like to take a short course (just five hours) to help sharpen your performance and identify those little places where you still aren’t quite perfect, then the DAA is for you.
If this is something that interests you, then please let us know and we will put plans in place.
Email info@rscdsedinburgh.org
A Centenary to remember 6
Once again it is “hats off” to Edinburgh Branch for its creativity and drive! In addition to a range of memorable special events to mark its Centenary the Branch has prepared and published a book of dances and music. Drawing on the talents of dancers and musicians associated with the Branch, a lovely collection of fourteen new dances has been created and presented in a beautifully produced volume. And with the set of dances there is an accompanying CD of new and traditional music.
Forty years ago, in 1984, some of us were involved in producing a volume of dances to mark the Branch’s Diamond Jubilee, a rather more modest publication of four dances. The CD had only just been introduced to the audio market so that would never have been an option. My memories are of the amount of time and effort which went into producing the 1984 collection. With the present set of fourteen dances, the human input must have been truly significant – and there is, indeed, a list of eminent names from within the Branch to whom our gratitude is owed. The whole Branch has shone, with some fifty dances being, initially, submitted and trialled, and with almost the whole of the production costs being met by financial contributions from members.
A particularly thoughtful touch, in a wholly professional and linguistically correct document, is the provision of brief personal observations from or related to the dedicatee or creator of the dances. While the Branch looks to the future with evident verve, offering dances which, taken together, are capable of being enjoyed by the widest range of dancers, it is good to see that the opportunity has been taken to honour the names of some dancers who since the 1950s have ensured that Edinburgh Branch occupied a particular, respected, position in the world of Scottish Country Dancing.
I was delighted to discover the Strathspey dedicated to Dorothy Leurs. To her is due enormous recognition for her perennial enthusiasm and capacity to spread the word. She was, as it happens, the first of a whole range of teachers I had the privilege to work with. Seeing a dance honouring “The Task Mistress”, I would understand that term, not in any way pejoratively, as applying to a good number of the ladies for whom I played and not just Mina Corson. For many years, I was also the class pianist for Esmé Randall and part of the pleasure was of working with someone whose approach was one of professional rigour.
The names of the composers of the tunes for the dances and the identity of those to whom they have been dedicated also tells an important story. Doreen McKerron and Moira Reekie have been the bedrock of music within the Branch – with Muriel Johnstone and Iain McPhail never too far away. They and indeed all the composers have risen wonderfully to the challenge and provided a terrific selection of tunes. The first to come to my attention was the tune for the dance dedicated to Bob Grant. It was what he chose himself to be played at the end of his funeral. Its impact on the large congregation was immediate. Spirits were lifted, the Branch “family” was united in music and ready to dance out of the crematorium!
When I came to play the CD with the music for the dances, I had hardly listened to the first eight bars of Pete Clark’ s “Fancy That” before I realised that I was in for a real treat. I found the word “flight” coming into my head and wondered how anyone could not dance well and with perfect posture when underpinned by such playing. The CD is a treasure box comprising the new tunes for the dances beautifully arranged into “sets” which offer a series of delights (the details of which are thoughtfully provided). What comes across is the subtle variations in the styles and approaches of the different instrumentalists and of the different composers. (continues on next page)
Special thanks to the many volunteers who helped us to trial all of the dances.
A Centenary to remember 7
In terms of the players, it is not, of course, about one being better than another – rather a contrast of, say, the varied joys of an excellent Bordeaux or winning Burgundy! And then, when it comes to the composers, we can extend the metaphor to include some of the newer styles of vinification, not least in the form of the music of the virtuosic and generous James Gray. I have marvelled at the players on the CD and enjoyed what amounts to a Master Class in taking lovely tunes and enriching them for an audience.
If I started by saying “hats off”, I will finish by declaring the new book of dances “A Triumph”. When I do so I am not necessarily thinking of “The Silver Triumph” which Stewart Adam wrote for Brian and Elizabeth Harry’s Silver Celebration. For me “Triumph” is the gem from Book 1 which always reminds me of Fay Golding, one of the Branch’s finest dancers who became an outstanding teacher. Every aspect of the dances and music offered by the Branch to mark its centenary conjures happy memories over decades but also lets us see that there is a strong team of able people who are able to continue the work of the Branch well beyond its landmark birthday.
Richard Austin
New for 2025—Centenary Book workshops
We have a brilliant book of 14 new dances and tunes, many of them recognising past and present members of our Branch. We would love to see all of these appearing on our dance programmes.
To help you be prepared, we are offering two workshops to teach all of these dances. These sessions will be led by Margo Priestley with music from Tim Macdonald.
Dates: Sunday 26 January 2.00 4.00pm Sunday 23 February 7.00 9.00pm
Venue: Murrayfield Church Hall, Ormidale Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 6EQ
Price: Adults £10, 25 & under £5, 16* & under £2.50 and includes tea and coffee
* must be accompanied by an adult who is participating
Our New Centenary Book and CD are on sale now at our Branch Shop.
Our Centenary is vividly celebrated in this collection of fourteen new dances and music. It is an impressive testament to the varied talent that exists today within our Branch.
The accompanying CD has been recorded by Muriel Johnstone (piano), Pete Clark (fiddle), Peter Shand (piano) and Tim Macdonald (fiddle).
Head to our YouTube channel (youtube.com/ @RSCDSEdinburgh) where our incredible musicians bring to life music from our new Centenary CD and beloved tunes associated with our Branch over the past 100 years.
Buy online at www.rscdsedinburgh/shop or at one of our forthcoming events.
Can you spare us some time?
Our Branch shop is looking for a volunteer to keep the stock and post it out to purchasers, and bring it along to some Branch events. You don’t need any previous experience; just a bit of space to store the stock and a willingness to help.
Please contact us to find out what is involved and how you can help us info@rscdsedinburgh.org
Our demonstration team, with music from Peter Shand (piano) and Tim Macdonald (fiddle) showcased dances from Edinburgh Branch ahead of the RSCDS Autumn Gathering Ball in November.
Our Piper, Jamie Crawford had piped in the Chairman and Office-Bearers earlier in the day.
Dancers from around the world had joined us on the dance floor for two amazing events on both Friday and Saturday evening.
Dancers Diary
Classes for everyone 11
Basic Skills Tuesday 8.00 9.30pm
Essential Skills Tuesday 8.00 9.30pm
Intermediate Monday 8.00 9.30pm
Advanced Thursday 8.00 9.30pm
Barclay Viewforth Church Hall 1 Wrights Houses, EH10 4HR
Greenbank Parish Church Hall Braidburn Terrace, EH10 6ES
Murrayfield Parish Church, Ormidale Terrace, EH12 6EQ
Murrayfield Parish Church, Ormidale Terrace, EH12 6EQ
Pricing Structure (10 week term). Our Basic skills class includes a two week free trial with no obligation to continue beyond the free classes. Level Basic
(prev.Beginners)
(prev. Adv Beg)
To be confirmed Roddy Johnston
Theresa MacVarish Clark Seonaid Lynn
Yoshi Shibasaki Various
Elizabeth Harry Various
Becoming a member of Edinburgh Branch helps us to promote traditional Scottish dancing and music for current and future generations to enjoy. Members also benefit from discounts at our classes and events.
Which class is for you? We have a range of weekly classes to suit all abilities. We have recently undertaken a review of these to ensure that everyone is dancing in the class which is best for them. This is also aligned to the class levels offered at RSCDS Summer School, making it easier for you to always choose the right class for you.
Please take some time to read the class description and the lists of formations on our website (www.rscdsedinburgh/classes) to help get you into the right class to give you the best experience.
Our teachers will also help and guide you to the right class in the first few weeks of each term.
Want to dance in two classes? Dancers in our Intermediate and Advanced classes are welcome to dance in any lower level class at no extra cost.
New dancers are encouraged to join our classes at discounted pricing and as you progress with your dancing we encourage you to join as a member.
Our Basic Skills class is ideal for new dancers. We need you as our ambassador to encourage a friend to come along and give Scottish dancing a try. The first two classes are free for our Basic Skills class and there is no obligation to continue. It’s a great offer!
Basic Skills This class is for anyone with little or no experience of Scottish country dancing. You will learn basis steps, and formations from List 1. With lot of fun ceilidh and country dances over the ten-week term you will soon be ready to progress into our Essential Skills class.
Essential Skills Dancers in this class will work on improving all aspects of their dancing. You will focus on footwork, teamwork and sociability, whilst building your confidence and understanding of common formations including those detailed in List 2. To benefit from this class you should be familiar with and able to dance most of the formations in List 1.
Intermediate This energetic class is designed for dancers who are already familiar with core movements of Scottish country dancing and who have attended at least one Advanced Beginner/Essential Skills class or been dancing regularly for over two years. You should be able to dance the steps and many of the key formations such as Allemande, Promenade and Ladies chain.
Advanced This class will improve your footwork, rhythm, phrasing and technique so that your dancing will be of a high standard; this will involve some constructive critiquing of your dancing.
Youth 12
We have a keen group of young dancers and are committed to giving them opportunities to perform, gaining confidence and boosting their teamwork. This group started dancing in September 2023 and they all had great success in their first Medal Tests and entertaining our members earlier this year at our Centenary Afternoon Tea.
Seven of them were selected to dance as part of a combined adult and children’s Demonstration team at the RSCDS Autumn Gathering. Joining their team was our class helper Fiona to ensure there was someone in the team to hold it together if nerves took over.
The demonstration had to represent Edinburgh Branch, and one of the simpler dances, Joppa Rocks by Alex Gray, was chosen from our new Centenary publication for the children to dance. They took to the dance like ducks to water, and they especially loved the tune, Joppa Rocks by James Gray, which has an exciting dynamic in our new CD recording. Practising began in earnest! I incorporated this dance, and movements from it, into our weekly class, with a focus on improving our pas de basque and linking this with our skip change. Quite a feat when you are not quite 7 years old.
I tried to downplay the size of the event, but explaining the size of the hall where we would be dancing and how our adult demonstrators would be all around them at times was challenging. The coloured spots from our P1 class were put to good use to show where the musicians would be, where they would dance on from and where the adult sets would be.
A last-minute decision to include an extra dance meant we added Corstorphine Fair into the medley. This gave the children an extra challenge of watching for their cue, dancing on in Reel time for four bars and immediately switching to a circle in Jig time. They also had to quickly remember this dance from when they last danced it in June.
We’ve had children’s dresses for some time; however some of the girls are now teenagers and the dresses no longer fitted! A quick shopping adventure on Amazon produced new purple dresses for our taller girls, and we were all set with a purple and lilac colour scheme for everyone. This brought much excitement, as they suddenly felt part of a team together, and it’s an almost magical effect as they become so much more focussed as a team as soon as they have “the dress”. Our sole boy had to be happy with a tartan tie!
An extra practice in a bigger venue, with the whole team, increased everyone ’s stress levels. The children and their parents suddenly realised that this was a much bigger event than perhaps they had thought it might be. This practice helped them to understand where they fitted into the whole medley of dances and their faces were all a picture when suddenly the adults danced in and surrounded their set and we all danced lead down the middle and up. We all expected to modify our stride to match the kids, but we were stretching out to keep up with them!
Keeping it simple, whilst ensuring that the children were an integral part of the demonstration was a challenge. However I eventually gave the children the responsibility of walking on and deciding the size of the set by themselves .
Being exposed to our demonstration team really inspired them, especially when many of the adult dancers engaged with the children and told them how we all started learning to dance at their age. (Continues Page 13)
Piping 13
Jamie started playing the chanter in 2017 and first entertained us with his bagpipes at our Burns Supper in 2018. Since then he has regularly played at Branch events, welcoming visitors at our Ball and piping in the haggis. More recently he has been playing for our Demonstration team. He is now the Pipe Major of Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band. They are the current top ranking local authority school pipe band, becoming Champion of Champions in Lothian and Borders in 2024. Jamie previously danced in our children’s class but much prefers piping these days!
Nowadays across the piping world there seems to be less interest in playing for dancing. I’m not sure whether this is because there are not so many opportunities for pipers to play for the country dancing as there used to be, or whether it is because they are just becoming more focused on playing in solos and for bands.
I do have to admit that it took me a while to get into playing for dancing. But once I began to understand not only the key differences but also the very strong links between dance music and solo/band tunes, I found that I love playing for the dancing just as much as I enjoy playing in solo and band competitions.
One of the key issues that bagpipers face when playing dance tunes is that the bagpipes can only play nine notes. This makes many tunes that are written for dances impossible to play. However, there are many dance tunes that can be played on bagpipes, and most dancers that I have played for find that bagpipes add a lot of excitement and an extra layer of variety to their dances.
The way that I go about putting together the set that I will play tends to be that I will start with the original tune, checking that it fits within the nine possible bagpipe notes. Then I look through other pipe tunes that would fit into the same style of tune, but at the end I often return to the original tune so that the dance is recognisable. On the now many occasions I have had the pleasure of playing alongside the Edinburgh demonstration team at various events, we have performed many dances from ‘The Gay Gordons’ to ‘The Reel of The 51st Division’ and ‘Mrs MacPherson of Inveran’, as well as many more.
The other challenge that a piper has to overcome is the tempo that the dancers require. For example in ‘Mrs MacPherson of Inveran’ I play the tune at around 108 beats per minute, whereas when I play the tune when competing in a solo bagpiping competition I would tend to play at a much slower tempo of around 80 beats per minute. It posed quite a challenge for me to be able to play the tune at the increased tempo the dancers need.
Overall it is challenges like these that I enjoy most when playing for the Scottish country dancers and this has also lead to the improvement of my playing.
Jamie Crawford
A last practice on the morning of the event focussed minds on how we walk on, dance off, reassemble ourselves and dance back on. This was practised many times. The (almost empty) threat that our musicians Peter and Tim wouldn’t play their chord until they were happy that their set was the right shape and size had them all watching each other, with eyebrows raised and head movements to align themselves. At this point, we didn’t focus on their feet, looking instead to ensure they were confident with the dance and the extra moves.
When they arrived at the venue, there were oohs and aahs over the size of the space. Our dance-through went reasonably well and the worst part was keeping everyone occupied for the remaining 45 minutes until we danced and ensuring no one spilt juice on themselves. For me, stepping away from them to dance myself and trusting them without me on hand was very hard. However, Fiona was more than capable, and we had a helper on hand to ensure that everyone made it to their place to dance back on.
Our young dancers gave a brilliant performance with no mistakes and they were all in the right place at the right time. They loved watching the “adult” part of our display and were desperate to learn the formation “where everyone is moving together” – corners pass and turn. This has neatly led us into corner formations on Saturday mornings.
Their parents were delighted that they were part of such a large and special event and they all enjoyed watching the start of the Autumn Gathering Ball. So many dancers, all doing the same thing and in time with the music was an amazing sight for them.
I am their very proud teacher, and I hope they will continue to enjoy dancing for many years to come.
Elizabeth Harry
Sadly Missed 14
Elizabeth Allan was born in the Borders and spent her formative years in Gavinton, where her father worked for the Civil Service. This was where she was first introduced to Scottish country dancing, taught by Daisy Rae who was a stalwart of St Andrews Summer School. Upon her father’s posting to Edinburgh, Elizabeth attended Leith Academy where her love for Scottish country dancing blossomed.
After Leith Academy, Elizabeth trained as a primary teacher at Moray House, and spent most of her career as Infant Mistress at Cramond Primary. It is a testimony to her skill as a teacher, that well into the later years of her life, she would regularly meet former pupils who commented on their fond recollections of her classes.
Elizabeth was a member of RSCDS Edinburgh Branch for most of her adult life, where she attended Mina Corson’s advanced ladies class, and then later the Demonstration team. Following this she was elected to the Branch Executive Committee and became Demonstration Convenor. Highlights of this role included her organisation of the Demonstration team’s display at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, and meeting Yehudi Menuhin and the then Prince of Wales!
Alongside attending the RSNO subscription concerts every Friday at the Usher Hall, Scottish country dancing remained her passion. She also travelled around the world with her good friend, Margaret Renton, where she made friends from Germany to Japan, and all countries in between.
Her final years were marked by failing health. She moved into Blenheim House, where none other than Mina Corson also spent her final years – Elizabeth always maintained that it was her friendship with Mina that secured her a place there. Despite her health, she was still “sharp as a button”, and always wanted to hear the latest dancing news. Her vivacious smile and all round enthusiasm for life will be sorely missed across the Edinburgh dancing community.
Robert Mackay
Also, sadly missed are:
Helen Bisset (nee Sheddon) - A lovely lady whose elegant dancing graced our Demonstration team in the 1960s and 70s.
Barbara Gibbons - A past Secretary of our Branch who danced with many of the local clubs.
Judith Smith - Judith was a talented fiddler who regularly played with Iain MacPhail and his Scottish dance band.
Our classes for Young Dancers are back at Greenbank Church Hall on Saturday mornings
P1 and above 9:30 10:15am
P5 and above 10:15 11:15am
We offer opportunities for all young dancers to be involved in competitions, performances and displays to boost their confidence, build their teamwork skills and for a chance to perform in front of an audience.
Children of all ages are also offered the opportunity to work towards Graded Medal Tests, certified by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Join us online and enjoy soft shoe Step Workshops with Atsuko Clement from the comfort of your home
Saturday mornings 10.00 11.30am UK time
Sunday evenings 6.00 7.30pm UK time
Our Saturday morning class is aimed at dancers with some step dancing experience; however all are welcome to join us. We aim to learn a complete dance per class so the pace is fairly swift.
Our Sunday evening class learns each dance over two classes and there will be lots of reminders of dances we have learnt previously to help you become more confident with these dances.
Demonstration News
Our Demonstration team had a very busy autumn. Early September saw us head back to Anstruther Harbour Festival for another afternoon of Scottish music and dance from our talented group. Iain MacPhail and his band played for us and we had highland dancing from the amazing Katie Moore and piping from Jamie. Save the date and come and watch us this year on 1 June in the Scottish Fisheries Museum.
We had lots of fun entertaining the Bentley Car Club at the historic Dalhousie Castle. They entusiascially joined us in lots of ceilidh dances and were a very attentive and friendly audience. A real treat was in store for us when we danced at Murthly Castle, with music from Pete Clark and Muriel Johnstone. It was very special to dance in this beautiful room. This group of musicians from New York were thrilled to watch us and listen to the beautiful music.
Dancers representing New
Club, Morningside
and
Our performance at the RSCDS Autumn Gathering was the highlight of the year. A challenging set of dances kept us all on our toes as we weaved in and out of each dance and tempo change.
This summer Dunedin Dancers will be holding their 27th International Folk Dance Festival, a biennial event involving international dance in Edinburgh. Two groups, from France and Hungary, have been invited. They all need somewhere to sleep, shower and have breakfast, and they would like the opportunity to stay in local homes with like-minded people. Would you like to open your spare room to a new friend who shares a love of music and dance for a few days in July 2025? If the idea of hosting interests you and you would like more information, entirely without obligation, please email Alison Nuttall at hosting@dunedindancers.org.uk
Scotland CD Society, Dunedin Dancers, Trinity SCD
Club
The Atholl SCD Club cutting our celebratory cake
Thank
A highlight for many was our Centenary Concert in Canongate Kirk
Dancers enjoying The Highland Rambler at our Summer dance at our new venue Reid Memorial Church Hall.
Iain MacPhail and his Scottish dance band