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Classes

Scottish country dancing is great for fitness as regular exercise helps improve your health. All of our classes will challenge you to improve in a friendly and relaxed way with our teachers ensuring that you progress every week.

If you are completely new to Scottish country dancing don’t be afraid, as our experienced teachers will ensure that you learn at the right pace. Dance is a great physical activity to get you moving, building cardio endurance and boosting circulation.

Scottish country dancing keeps your brain active! Memorising steps and formations will improve your cognitive skills and help prevent dementia.

Read on if you are looking for a new challenge…

Summary of classes

We have a range of regular weekly Adult classes to suit all abilities whether you have never danced before or have lots of experience, with expert fully-trained teachers and live music at every class.

Basic Skills Scottish Country & Ceilidh on Tuesday

Essential Skills on Tuesday

Intermediate on Monday

  Advanced Dancers on Thursday

To help you pick the best class, please refer to our class selector This is to help you find the best class based on your experience.

If in doubt, it’s usually better to start with the class where you think you would be most comfortable.  Your class teacher will advise if they think that a different class would enable you to make better progress.  You can always ask your teacher for advice, or use the Contact us form for advice from the classes organiser.

In addition, our very successful Online Ladies Step (soft shoe) Workshops continue on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings.

Our regular Saturday morning Children’s class restarts on Saturday 11th January and is aimed at primary school age group.  For details please see our Young Dancers page.

Class Descriptions/Selector

Basic Skills

This class is for anyone with little or no experience of Scottish country dancing. You will learn basic steps, and formations from List 1. Enjoying ceilidh and simple country dances, you will soon be ready to progress into our Essential Skills class.

List 1

Lead down middle and up Figure of eight Reel of three on sidelines
Set and cast off Hands round and back Reel of three across
Hands across and back Promenade for 2 or 3 couples Allemande for 2 or 3 couples
Right and lefts for 2 couples Poussette in reel or jig time Turn corners and partner

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.

List 2

Comprises all formations in List 1 plus...

Figure of 8 for 2 couples Set to and turn corners Ladies' and Mens’ chain
Set to corners and partner
('hello goodbye')
Reel of three after set to and turn corners Reel of three after set to corner and partner
Reel of four on the diagonal Reel of four across starting from sidelines Grand Chain for 3 or 4 couples

Intermediate

This energetic class is designed for those dancers who are more experienced and have a good standard of footwork and technique and who have attended at least one Advanced Beginner/Essential Skills class, or been dancing regularly for over two years. This class will focus on improving your dancing and team awareness.

To benefit from this class you must be able to dance, without a reminder, all of the formations in List 1 and have a reasonable knowledge of the formations in List 2.

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.

It is expected that you will have a comprehensive knowledge of the formations in List 1 and List 2 and an awareness of the majority of formations in List 3.

List 3

All formations in List 1 and List 2 plus...

Reel of three in tandem, changing lead Corners pass and turn Reel of four across including progressing one place
Petronella turn in tandem Rights and lefts for 3 couples Set and rotate for 3 couples
The tournee The Chain progression for 2 or 3 couples  

 

When do classes start?

In-person classes for the 2025 winter term (of 10 classes in total) start in the week beginning Monday 13 January, with the Basic Skills class starting on 28 Jan for 8 evenings.

Online classes begin on the weekend of 11 January.        

See Class Information below for lists of dates. 

How do I join?

You do not have to be a member to dance with us. Book online from the appropriate Class information box below, or pay at the first class of each term.

Members of RSCDS Edinburgh receive a discount in our Intermediate and Advanced Classes. Dancers in these two classes are also welcome to dance in any lower level class at no extra cost.

If you would like to join, or renew your membership, you can save money at most of our events. Click here to find out more about becoming a member and supporting Scottish country dancing.

To join a class and become a member at the same time, add a class from below at the Member rate into your shopping basket, and then add a Membership from the Membership page.

If you are unsure of which class is best for you, or if you wish to pay by another method, please contact us for advice.

Please Note:

  • All in-person classes are from 8.00 – 9.30pm  (entry to the hall is from 7.45pm) 
  • Note that there may be a break for mid term, see Class Information below. 
  • Teachers and musicians may change without notice due to availability.
  • There may, on occasion, be a trainee teacher assisting with your class.
  • No refunds are available, unless the class is cancelled by RSCDS Edinburgh.
  • Scottish dancing is a contact activity which involves taking hands with other dancers.

 

Online Workshops

Our very successful Online Soft Shoe Step Workshops continue on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings.

How do I access the Online classes?

Online classes use Zoom.  You will be emailed a link to access these classes prior to them starting.

Children's classes

Our regular Saturday morning Childrens classes restart on Saturday 11th January and are aimed at primary school age group. For details see our Young Dancers  page.

What else do I need to know?

Firstly, have a look at the information about classes in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

If you can’t find the answer there, please Contact us.

 

Class information

Tuesday
Basic Skills


Dates:  28 Jan - 25 Mar (except 11 Feb)
Time:   Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue:  Barclay Viewforth  

This class is for anyone with little or no experience of Scottish country dancing. You will learn basic steps, and formations from List 1. With lot of fun ceilidh and country dances over the full ten-week term you will soon be ready to progress into our Essential Skills class.

Price:  

8 classes for £56.00
25 & Under   8 classes for £28.00
16 & Under * 8 classes for £14.00

To book your place and pay, press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.

Image of Roddy Johnston

Musician
Roddy Johnston

Book - Basic Skills 8 or 10 wks

Book - Basic Skills (25 & under)

Book - Basic Skills (16 & under)

Flyer

Tuesday
Essential Skills


Dates: 14 Jan - 25 Mar (except 11 Feb)
Time:  Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Greenbank Parish Church 

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.

Price             10 classes for £70.00
25 & Under   10 classes for £35.00
16 & Under * 10 classes for £16.00
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class

To book your place and pay, press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.

Book – Essential Skills

Book - Essential Skills (25 & under)

Book - Essential Skills (16 & under)

Flyer

Monday
Intermediate


Dates: 13 Jan - 24 Mar (except 10 Feb)
Time:  Mondays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Murrayfield Parish Church 

This energetic class is designed for those dancers who are more experienced and have a good standard of footwork and technique. This class will focus on improving your dancing and team awareness. You will be able to sustain a good level of energy.

To benefit from this class you must be able to dance, without a reminder, all of the formations in List 1 and have a reasonable knowledge of the formations in List 2.

Price:
Edinburgh Branch Members
10 classes for £70.00
Non-Members  10 classes for £85.00
25 & Under       10 classes for £35.00
16 & Under *     10 classes for £16.00
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class

To book your place and pay, press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.

Book - Intermediate (non-Member)

Book - Intermediate (Member)

Book - Intermediate (25 & under)

Book - Intermediate (16 & under)

Flyer

Thursday
Advanced


Dates: 16 Jan - 27 Mar (excl. 13 Feb)
Time:
Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue:
 Murrayfield Parish Church

This class is for those looking for a demanding challenge in both dancing and dances. This is a physically demanding class which requires a good level of physical fitness and will involve some constructive critiquing of your dancing.

It is expected that you will have a comprehensive knowledge of the formations in List 1 and List 2 and an awareness of the majority of formations in List 3.

Price:
Edinburgh Branch Members 10 classes for £70.00
Non-Members 10 classes for £85
25 & Under      10 classes for £35.00
16 & Under *    10 classes for £16.00
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class

To book your place and pay, press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.

Book - Advanced (non-Member)

Book - Advanced (Member)

Book - Advanced (25 & under)

Book - Advanced (16 & under)

Flyer

Online Saturday morning
Step (soft shoe) Workshop


Dates       Sats 11 Jan, 1 & 15 Feb, 12 & 26 Apr       
Time        10.00am - 11.30am UK time
Venue       Online via Zoom
Price         £12.50

Entry Criteria: Online Step (soft shoe) Workshop for those with some previous experience.

Aim: Formerly known as an online Ladies' Step class, this class with Atsuko Clement 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. There may occasionally be a guest teacher.

Video recordings of each class will be available to the class members.

Book for the term

Online Sunday evening
Step (soft shoe) Workshop


Dates          Suns 12 Jan, 2 & 16 Feb, 13 & 27 Apr
Time
           6.00pm - 7.30pm UK time
Venue
        Online via Zoom
Price            £12.50

Entry Criteria: This class is aimed at dancers with no or little previous experience although some knowledge of Scottish country dancing or ballet will be helpful.

Aim: The core Ladies step dances will be taught by Atsuko Clement over two classes.  There will be lots of reminders of dances we have learned previously to help you become more confident with these dances. There may occasionally be a guest teacher.

Video recordings of each class will be available to the class members.

Book for the term