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…
We have a range of regular weekly Adult classes to suit all abilities, with expert fully-trained teachers and live music at every class.
Basic Skills on Tuesday
Essential Skills on Tuesday
Intermediate on Monday
Advanced Dancers on Thursday
Please refer to our class selector to pick the best class for you.
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 classes restart on Saturday 6th September and are aimed at primary school age group. For details please see our Young Dancers page.
| 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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
In-person classes for the 2025 Autumn term (of 10 classes in total) start in the week beginning Monday 25th September, with a break at the mid-term holiday week beginning 13th October.
Online classes continue.
Class Information will soon appear below.
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:
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.
Our regular Saturday morning Childrens classes restart on Saturday 6th September and are aimed at primary school age group. For details see our Young Dancers page.
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.
Dates: Free taster session on 23 Sep, then continues to 2 Dec, excluding mid-term (14 Oct) (10 weeks)
Time: Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm (access from 7.45pm)
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.
Take advantage of our Special Offer - come along to our free Taster Session on Tuesday 23 Sep. No obligation, but we hope that you'll enjoy it and continue for the remaining 9 classes
Price Taster FREE for all, then remaining 9 classes for £65
25 & Under 1+9 classes for £35
16 & Under * 1+9 classes for £20
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
To book your place and pay for the complete term (1 free + remaining 9 classes), press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.
To book your free Taster Session only press the Book Taster button below and follow the instructions on Eventbrite.
Book - Basic Skills (25 & under)
Dates: Free taster session on 23 Sep, then continues to 2 Dec, excluding mid-term (14 Oct) (10 weeks)
Time: Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm (access from 7.45pm)
Venue: Greenbank Parish Church
This fun, energetic class is for dancers who are already familiar with the core steps and formations of Scottish country dancing.
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.
Done a little dancing in the past, and thinking about it again? Take advantage of our Special Offer - come along to our free Taster Session on Tuesday 23 Sep. No obligation, but we hope that you'll enjoy it and continue for the remaining 9 classes
Price Taster FREE for all, then remaining 9 classes for £65
25 & Under 1+9 classes for £35
16 & Under * 1+9 classes for £20
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
To book your place and pay for the complete term (1 free + remaining 9 classes), press the Book button below which corresponds to your situation and follow the instructions.
To book your free Taster Session only press the Book Taster button below and follow the instructions on Eventbrite.
Teacher
Faye McNeil
Musician
Seonaid Lynn
Book - Essential Skills (25 & under)
Dates: 22 Sep - 1 Dec, excluding mid-term (13 Oct) (10 weeks)
Time: Mondays 8.00pm - 9.30pm (access from 7.45pm)
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 £75.00
Non-Members 10 classes for £90.00
25 & Under 10 classes for £40.00
16 & Under * 10 classes for £20.00
* 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.
Teacher
Elizabeth Harry
Musician
Ewan Galloway and friends
Book - Intermediate (non-Member)
Dates: 25 Sep - 4 Dec, excluding mid-term (16 Oct) (10 weeks)
Time: Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm (access from 7.45pm)
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 £75.00
Non-Members 10 classes for £90.00
25 & Under 10 classes for £40.00
16 & Under * 10 classes for £20.00
* 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.
Teacher
Theresa MacVarish Clark
Musician
Matthew Maclennan
Dates 7 & 21 Sept, 5 & 12 Oct, 2 & 16 or 23 Nov, 7 Dec
Time 6.00pm - 7.30pm UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £25 for 7 classes
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.
Teacher
Atsuko Clement
Dates 6 & 20 Sept, 4 & 11 Oct, 1 & 29 Nov & 13 Dec
Time 9.30am - 11.00am UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £25 for 7 classes
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.
Teacher
Atsuko Clement
fun, fitness & friendship
