about our classes - scottish country dancing
Beginners' Scottish Country Dance
Think you're getting the hang of ceilidh dancing and want to do more? Want to be able to go to a real Scottish ball and dance? Then Beginners Scottish Country Dance class is for you!
This class is for anyone who would like to try their hand at Scottish Country Dancing, an extremely popular, fun social dance form. The emphasis is firmly on having fun and learning the figures which make up all Scottish Country Dances, enabling you quickly to master any new dance you may come across at dances and black tie balls from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.
If you are a beginner and you can only make one class a week, this is the class to go to!!
No dancing experience is necessary for this class.
The teacher is Jen Wood.
Intermediate Scottish Country Dance
This class is for those dancers who have already experienced Scottish country dancing and would now like to continue at a higher level. If you have been dancing regularly for a term or more and feel you are coping well, then we strongly recommend that you consider progressing to the Intermediate Scottish Country Dance class. It's not really that scary, honest! And you'll learn lots of unusual figures that you'd never do in Beginners', as well as really important things like phrasing and covering, which you'll need if you want to perform (e.g. at international dance festivals abroad).
If you are unsure whether you are at an appropriate level to join the Intermediate class, please contact the Intermediates teacher, or speak to your current class teacher.
The teacher is Linda Garside.
Social Dancing
Social Dancing is the highlight of the week, and everyone is invited (even if you only started dancing an hour before!). The whole society gets together and has a great time trying all kinds of Scottish country dances and ceilidh dances. (And afterwards we usually go to The Bar to quench our thirst!)
Demonstration Class
This is an Advanced level class for people who have reached a level higher than Intermediates. It is aimed at perfecting technique and runs at competition level standard. This class is appropriate for those who have been taught to an Advanced level, and those who are currently being taught at Intermediate level (e.g. attending our Intermediate Class) but feel they are ready to advance to a higher level.
Attendance at Demonstration Class is by invitation only. Please speak to your current dance class teacher or contact us at nscds@ed.ac.uk if you are interested in the class. We are always keen to hear from anyone of an appropriate standard who would like to join.
The teacher is Katie Haigh.
about our classes - ceilidh, highland & step
Ceilidh Class
Ideal for anyone who would like to learn how to do the dances you see at all the ceilidhs -- Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, Eightsome Reel and more. Ceilidh dancing is Scottish dancing for everyone!
No dancing experience is necessary for this class.
The class is taught by rotating teachers, so there will be lots of different styles and plenty of new tricks ;-)
Beginners' Highland
Heard of the Highland Fling or the Sword Dance and wondered what they were? Think you've got the hang of ceilidh dancing and want to try something different? Then Highland Dancing is for you!
This is where you can learn to dance the Sword Dance and the Highland Fling (the dances they always show people doing on shortbread tins - arms in the air, leaping about over swords - that sort of thing - VERY Scottish!).
No dancing experience is necessary for this class and you'll be amazed how much you'll learn even in just one year!
The teacher is Seonaid Anderson.
Intermediate Highland
This class is for anyone who has done a year or more of Highland dancing. The class usually consists of a mix of abilities including people who have moved up after a year at our Beginners' Highland Dance class, people who moved up a few years ago and are still in Edinburgh, people who have done it before and want to have another go, and competition dancers who are unable to attend their normal classes while in Edinburgh.
The teacher is Marina Sharp.
Beginners' Step
Scottish step dancing is a traditional Scottish form of hard-shoe dancing which can be danced solo, or in a small 'set' where steps in slow (Strathspey) and quick (reel and jig) time are combined with simple dance patterns such as reels of three or four and 'birrling'.
This class is suitable for complete beginners, so if you fancy having a go at Scottish Step Dancing, do come along! For more information on Scottish Step Dancing visit our About Scottish Step Dancing page.
Hard soled shoes with a small heel (e.g. Ghillie Brogues) are ideal footwear.
The teacher is Fiona Campbell.
Older Social Dances
We are trying out this term a session on 'the older social dances' that were usually performed with elements of hard shoe stepping, for a half hour between the Beginners and Intermediate Step dancing classes. This will be of interest to those who already attend the step classes and will give you more opportunity to use your skills!
The teacher is Fiona Campbell.
Intermediate Step
This class includes people with a range of step dance experience - from a year or so upwards. The class includes learning new steps, practicing at 'Cape Breton speed', and concentrates on learning routines which can be used in displays.
If you have some experience of Scottish Step Dancing and would like to practice, learn more, or have an opportunity to dance in displays with a friendly team, please come along!
The teacher is Fiona Campbell.