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 from Beginners to Advanced, with expert fully trained teachers and live music at every class.
Beginners Scottish Country & Ceilidh on Tuesday
Advanced Beginners on Monday
Intermediate on Tuesday
Advanced Dancers on Thursday
For these regular classes, each level of class has both an aim and entry criteria. 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.
Our very successful Online Ladies Step Workshops (now known as Step (soft shoe) Workshops) continue on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings.
Our regular Saturday morning Children’s class restarts on 15 April 2024 and is aimed at primary school age group. For details please see our Young Dancers page.
Our in-person and online classes are restarting for a new term.
In-person classes:
Monday-Advanced Beginners: 15 Apr (weekly, for 6 classes)
Tuesday-Beginners: 16 Apr (weekly, for 6 classes)
Tuesday-Social Dancing for all: 16 Apr (weekly, for 6 classes)
Thursday-Advanced: 18 Apr (weekly, for 6 classes)
Times: 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. The total number of classes is as described above.
Online classes:
Saturday morning Step (soft shoe) Workshop (previously known as Ladies' Step): (5 classes)
begins 13 Apr, see below for dates.
Sunday evening Step (soft shoe) Workshop (previously known as Ladies' Step): (6 classes)
begins 14 Apr, see below for dates
See Class Information below for lists of dates.
Online classes use Zoom. You will be emailed a link to access these classes prior to them starting.
Register and pay online to book your place when you find the class of your choice
If you are not already a member, or need to renew, you can join now and save money on most In-person classes.
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. You’ll also find full information on the benefits of becoming a member there.
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.
| Centenary Offer | |
| Spring term classes: |
Rate |
| Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Social & Advanced - Six classes for :- | £36 |
| Under 25s. Eight classes for :- | £18 |
|
Under 16s*. Eight classes for :- |
£8 |
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.
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: 15 Apr - 20 May
Time: Mondays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Murrayfield Parish Church
Entry Criteria: Dancers who have previously completed a New Beginners class, or who are returning to dancing after a long period, and have limited footwork and knowledge of formations. You will want to improve your technique, learn more complex formations and increase your own ability.
Aim: This class will help you become familiar with linking of steps and formations, handing and phrasing. You will learn more complex dances and become confident to attend most of our social dances.
Price: Centenary Offer
Six classes for £36.
Under 25s Six classes for £18.
Under 16s * Six classes for £8.
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
Please read our Covid guidance.
Teacher
Yoshi Shibasaki
Musician
Ewan Galloway
Dates: 16 Apr - 21 May
Time: Tuesdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Greenbank Parish Church
Entry Criteria: Open to all who have little or no experience of Scottish Country Dancing
Aim: You will learn basic steps (skip change, slip step, pas de basque, strathspey travelling and setting steps) and simple formations including reels and some corner formations. By the end of the term you will be able to dance many Scottish country dances.
Price: Centenary Offer
Six classes for £36.
Under 25s Six classes for £18.
Under 16s * Six classes for £8.
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
Please read our Covid guidance.
Teacher
Theresa MacVarish Clark
Musician
Roddy Johnston
Dates: 16 Apr - 21 May
Time: Tuesdays 8.0pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Barclay Viewforth Church Hall
Course: Fun social dancing which will improve your dancing skills
Entry Criteria: This energetic class is designed for dancers who are already familiar with core movements of Scottish Country Dancing and who have attended at least one Advanced Beginners class or previously been dancing regularly for over two years. You should be able to dance the steps and many of the key formations such as (but not limited to) Allemande, Promenade and Ladies chain.
Aim: This fun, energetic class is for dancers who are already familiar with the core steps and formations of Scottish country dancing. The best news is that you can drop into this class on any Tuesday evening and pay at the door.
Price: Centenary Offer
Six classes for £36.
Under 25s Six classes for £18.
Under 16s * Six classes for £8.
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
PAYG £7 per class payable at the class
Please read our Covid guidance.
Musician
Seonaid Lynn
Teacher
Andrew Nolan
Dates: 18 Apr - 23 May
Time: Thursdays 8.00pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Murrayfield Parish Church
Course: For those looking to dance at the highest level
Entry Criteria: Dancers should already:
• Be comfortable with all aspects of Scottish Country Dancing and be able to dance well without relying on others
• Be confident dancing the steps and many of the formations listed in the RSCDS Manual. You will need to be able to dance well without prompting commonly danced formations such as (but not limited to): Double Triangles, Set to and turn corners and Reels of three and four
• Have footwork, handing and phrasing that is to a high standard and be able to maintain that standard for the entire duration of the class
• Have some understanding of transitions between steps, especially where a change of foot is required.
• Be prepared to learn basic Highland steps
Aim: 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.
Price: Centenary Offer
6 classes for £36.
Under 25s Six classes for £18.
Under 16s * 6 classes for £8.
* must be accompanied by an adult who is dancing in the class
Please read our Covid guidance.
Teacher
Elizabeth Harry
Dates 13/4, 11/5, 8/6, 13/7, 17/8
Time 10.00am - 11.30am UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £12.50 for 5 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 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, with Atsuko Clement, 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
Dates 14/4, 12/5,9/6, 14/7, 18/8
Time 6.00pm - 7.30pm UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £12.50 for 5 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 over two classes and there will be lots of reminders of dances we have learnt previously from Atsuko Clement 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
fun, fitness & friendship
