Dances & Ceilidhs
New Scotland organises a number of Scottish dances and ceilidhs throughout the year which both members and non members are welcome to attend.
Ceilidhs & Dancing in the Gardens
Ceilidhs
'Ceilidh' simply means a gathering, and traditionally a ceilidh was an evening of mixed dancing, song, music and other performances. These days, however, to most people, a 'ceilidh' means an informal evening of dancing to live music (the 'ceilidh band') with a 'caller' giving instructions so that everyone can join in with the selection of simple, fun traditional style dances. You don't have to have done any dancing before to join in and enjoy a ceilidh!
New Scotland runs classes in ceilidh dancing, and also runs ceilidhs. The times and locations of our ceilidhs will be advertised on the events page, at all our classes and via our e-mail list. Members and non-members are all welcome at our ceilidhs so please come along and bring your friends!
'Wringing out the washing' at a New Scotland ceilidh
We are also happy to advertise other ceilidhs to our members via our classes, web site or e-mail list, so if you know of a good ceilidh you would like us to advertise, please pass on your request and details of the event to nscds@ed.ac.uk.
Summer dancing in Princes Street Gardens
On Monday and Tuesday evenings during June and July is 'Dancing in the Gardens' (usually 7:30pm-9pm). The venue is the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens West, where the dancing area is outside.... So bring your umbrella!
Dancing in the Gardens with a fine view of Edinburgh Castle
There is a live band which varies every evening. There is a set programme of country dances (with occasional unprogrammed extras and ceilidh dances) with each evening's programme chosen by a different dance group. Dances are demonstrated by a team of dancers (usually from the dance group who devised the programme) before everyone gets up to have a go themselves. Everyone is welcome (cost in 2005 was £2 per evening) and there is usually a mix of country dancers, friends and tourists.
Every year New Scotland devises and demonstrates one of the programmes and it's particularly nice to have a large crowd of New Scotland there that evening. But even when we're not demming the gardens there are usually a bunch of New Scotland members there every Monday and Tuesday. After the dancing (or if it's really pouring with rain then instead of the dancing) we head to the pub to dry out/cool down/eat because we forgot to beforehand/quench our thirst (delete as applicable).
The dates on which Dancing in the Gardens is happening each year will be shown on our events page as will the date on which New Scotland is demming the gardens! If you'd like any further information please contact us at nscds@ed.ac.uk.
Dances
What is a Scottish Dance or a Scottish Ball?
Scottish dances or balls differ from ceilidhs in that they have a pre-written programme and the dances are almost exclusively more complicated country dances, rather than ceilidh dances. Dances are just as much fun as ceilidhs but some degree of relevant dancing experience is a distinct advantage!
If you are about to go to your first dance, or would simply like more information on what a Scottish dance involves, you will find helpful advice and further information on our Beginner's Guide page.
New Scotland Annual Dance - a 'formal' or 'black tie' dance held each January
New Scotland Beginners' Dance, held in First Semester each year
New Scotland Dances
New Scotland organises 3 dances each year, a Beginners'Dance, in November, our Annual Dance in January, and a Summer Dance in May. Members and non-members are welcome to all our dances.
Our dances will be advertised on the events page, at our classes and via our e-mail lists; however if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us at nscds@ed.ac.uk.
Other dances in the Edinburgh area
There are also many other dances held in the Edinburgh area during the year - for example by Dunedin Dancers and the RSCDS Edinburgh Branch - and many of these will also be adverised on the events page, at our classes and via out mailing lists.
If you are organising or know of a Scottish dance which you would like us to advertise to our members please contact us - nscds@ed.ac.uk with your request and details of the event.
Away Dances
Throughout the year we also arrange trips to Scottish dances at other universities. Our most frequent destinations are St. Andrews, Glasgow, Dundee and Newcastle. These dances will also be advertised via our web site, classes and e-mail list. If you are interested in attending one of these away dances you can find further information on our events page. You can also sign up for trasport prior to the event.
St. Andrews Celtic Society Highland Ball
If you are organising or know of a Scottish dance which you would like us to advertise to our members please contact us - nscds@ed.ac.uk with your request and details of the event.