about new scotland
History - why we are called 'New Scotland'
In May 1947 the Senatus Academicus of Edinburgh University granted recognition to the 'New Scotland Society'. The society was formed "to examine and arouse interest in the present day political and cultural renaissance in Scotland".
The commonly accepted reason for the original name of the "New Scotland Society" is that there was a similar society, the "Scotland Society" formed in the 1920s, which by the 1940s had folded. Since this was a whole new venture, this was acknowledged in the name. The other theory is that it was called the "New Scotland Society" because, as the aims show, it was a society concerned with the "New Scotland" they saw emerging at the time.
The society's interests ranged across the arts and politics of Scotland. Among its activities was Scottish Country Dancing and gradually this became dominant as interest in the other activities declined. By 1951 it had become clear that most of the members were only interested in dancing. The society was therefore reconstituted with the name being changed to the "Edinburgh University New Scotland Country Dance Society" to reflect this. The society has remained in this form ever since, although our dancing repertoire has now expanded to include ceilidh dancing, Highland dancing and Scottish step dancing as well as country dancing.
New Scotland today
The Society has always been extremely popular: membership passed the 100 mark within the first 2 years; and for a long time, so many people attended the Thursday social dancing that they had to take turns to dance in the McEwan Hall during the evening. There were just too many people to fit on the floor at one time! Things are quieter now, with a "mere" 150 typical annual membership.
Today, Edinburgh University New Scotland Country Dance Society is a very active society. It counted over 150 members this year and its main aim is to promote Scottish culture through dancing. Throughout the year the society organises dance classes (in Ceilidh, Highland, Scottish Step and Scottish Country dancing), ceilidhs and balls. New Scotland also has strong links with Scottish country dance societies at other universities and regularly organises for its members to attend 'away dances' in locations such as St Andrews, Glasgow and Newcastle.
New Scotland can also provide dancers, musicians and callers for fund raising events, conferences, ceilidhs, dinners, festivals, weddings and other functions. For more information visit our Bookings page.
New Scotland around the world
The society has always taken part to numerous cultural events. New Scotland has a strong connection with the Inter-Varsity Folk Dance Festival , sending display teams every year since it started in 1951, and running it independently or jointly on six occasions - in 1954, 1976, 1988, 1996, 2000 (jointly with other 'SUSCDF' universities) and 2002 (jointly with St Andrew's Celtic Society).
Teams have also travelled to perform at festivals around the world and locally, have danced at internationally prestigious events such as the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1988 and in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. For more information on what we can offer at performances, visit our Bookings page.
about scottish dancing
Dance Styles
Ceilidh dancing | Country dancing | Highland dancing | Scottish Step dancing
Events
Dances and Ceilidhs | Competitions | Dance Festivals | Freshers' Weekend
Other useful tidbits
Never been to a dance before? Never fear! We've got a handy beginner's guide for you!
Some tips on equipment for dancing and where to get it.
membership & joining new scotland
Membership charges
Membership charges for 2007-08 are:
Students £5
Non-students £9
How to Join
You can join New Scotland during Freshers' Week at the societies fair, New Scotland dance workshops, or the Freshers' Week ceilidh. After Freshers' Week, you can join at any of our classes
Our E-Mail list
If you are joining New Scotland, it is also reccommended that you sign up to our General Mailing List. You will then receive all up to date information of class venues, ceilidhs, dances and other events. It is the best way to keep in touch with what is going on!
You can join our e-mail list on the contact page.
Membership benefits
Just a few of the benefits of New Scotland membership are:
• Discount on class fees (see Class Fees for details)
• Opportunity to go on Freshers Weekend - with subsidised rates for new student members!
• Subsidised travel to away dances (Scottish dances at other univerisites) and national dance festivals
• The opportunity to go to dance festivals all over Europe
• Discounts at some shops in Edinburgh
beyond new scotland
Dunedin Dancers - New Scotland's 'Big Sister'
Dunedin Dancers was formed 1970 by members of New Scotland in order to keep in touch with the many folk dance groups they had met on trips abroad. Dunedin Dancers is open to dancers at all abilities and always welcomes new faces. It runs an active programme of dances and non-dancing events as well as weekly meeting, for social dancing. The group also regularly participates in folk dance festivals abroad. Many of their activity are concerned with hosting a biennial festival - The Dunedin Dancers International Folk Dance Festival - which has been held in the summer of odd number years since 1971.
New Scotland has recently become more closely involved in this festival and retains strong links with Dunedin. For more information on the Dunedin Dancers you can visit their web site, dunedindancers.org.uk.