1. Scottish Country Dancing
First, the answers to some important questions before we learn!

2. Types of dancing in Scotland
Highland dancing
Ceilidh dancing
Scottish country dancing
Last two used interchangeably

3. Who?
All types of people!
Including Scottish children who learn it at school in P.E.

4. Where? Normally in a big space! Inside or outside
In cities and rural places
Mainly in Scotland
But all over the world!

5. Why? really good fun! very sociable
good for your health! (scientific studies show this!)

6. When?
For specific Scottish celebrations – Hogmanay, Burn’s supper, St. Andrew’s Day
Family celebrations – weddings
End of year school dance
Competitions
Any time, just because!

7. What? “social progressive dance” in groups of couples
First popular in 1700s
Mixture of different types of dancing
Nearly disappeared but in 1923 the Scottish Country Dance Society started collecting
Now 11,000 dances catalogued
About 1000 traditional dances

8. What? Typical Scottish music played by Traditional SCD band
Celtic Rock Band
Piano or other instruments

9. What? There are different types of dances Reels – fast! Jigs – fast!
Strathspeys – walking pace
March – marching pace
Waltz - slow

10. What?
Men wear a tartan kilt
Some people wear special shoes

11. How? Couples in sets (groups) or one big circle around the room
Dances consist of different “figures” which can be simple or more complicated
For SCD people use steps, in ceilidh dancing people just do what they want!
Couples man/woman but often taller lady is man

12. How? Curtsey at beginning! Basic steps Pas de basque
Skip-change of step
Slip step