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 Monday and also on Tuesday
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.
We're still running our Online Ladies Step Workshops on Saturday morning and Sunday evening together with a series of two in-person Ladies Step workshops.
Finally we are introducing a series of two In-Person Highland Step Workshops.
Our in-person classes are restarting, and our online classes continue. Read on for more information.
In-person classes:
Monday Beginners: 25 - April
Tuesday Beginners: 26 - April
Tuesday Mixed Ability: 26 - April
Thursday Advanced: 28 - April
Times: All in-person classes are from - April 8.00 – 9.30pm
(entry to the hall is from 7.45pm)
Classes are held at various venues in Edinburgh. Within the information on each class, follow the link from any venue to learn its address, entrance location, bus, car and cycle information. During the first couple of weeks of term your teacher may suggest that one of our other classes would be more suitable and give you more enjoyment. We are happy for you to transfer between classes to find the right level for you.
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.
| Class | Rate |
| Beginners Scottish Country & Ceilidh - 5 weeks | £30 |
| Members (Mixed Ability & Advanced) - 5 weeks | £40 |
| Non-members (Mixed Ability & Advanced) - 5 weeks | £50 |
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: 25 April - 23 May incl
Time: Mondays 8pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Murrayfield Parish Church
Course: Scottish country and ceilidh dancing for those with little or no experience.
Entry Criteria: Open to all who have little or no experience of Scottish Country Dancing.
Aim: You will learn basic steps and simple formations including reels and some corner formations. By the end of the 5 week course you will be able to dance many Scottish country & Ceilidh dances.
Price: £30 for 5 weeks.
Book via the Book for the term button for £30.
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Teacher
Yoshi Shibasaki
Musician
Ewan Galloway
Dates: 26 April - 24 May incl
Time: Tuesdays 8pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Greenbank Parish Church
Course: Scottish country and ceilidh dancing for those with little or no experience.
Entry Criteria: Open to all who have little or no experience of Scottish Country Dancing.
Aim: You will learn basic steps and simple formations including reels and some corner formations. By the end of the 5 week course you will be able to dance many Scottish country & Ceilidh dances.
Price: £30 for 5 weeks.
Book via the Book for the term button for £30.
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Teacher
Faye Mather
Musician
Roddy Johnston
Dates: 26 April - 24 May incl
Time: Tuesdays 8pm – 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 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 class will improve the accuracy of your steps (including transitions between steps), and the level of your technique and phrasing. You will be introduced to more demanding formations and variations on the steps you already know.
Price:
RSCDS Edinburgh Branch Members: £40 for 5 weeks.
Non-Members: £50 for 5 weeks.
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Musician
Seonaid Lynn
Teachers
Various
Dates: 28 April - 26 May incl
Time: Thursdays 8pm – 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:
RSCDS Edinburgh Branch Members: £40 for 5 weeks
Non-Members: £50 for 5 weeks
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Teacher
Various
Musician
Tim Macdonald
Dates 14/5, 28/5, 11/6, 25/6, 9/7, 23/7, 13/8, 27/8
Time 10.00 – 11.30 UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £16 for 8 weeks
Entry Criteria: Online Ladies Step class for those with some previous experience.
Aim: This class is aimed at dancers with some Ladies 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 15/5, 29/5, 5/6, 19/6, 10/7, 24/7, 14/8, 28/8
Time 18.00 – 19.30 UK time
Venue Online via Zoom
Price £16 for 8 weeks
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
Dates 8 May
Time 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Venue Manor School of Ballet
Price £8, £4 for 25 and under.
Description
This class is aimed at dancers with some Ladies step dancing experience; however, all are welcome to join us and Atsuko will tailor the class to the individual dancers and give you feedback on your dancing. We are thrilled that Muriel Johnstone will be playing for all of these workshops.
The Branch is offering a 50% discount to young persons (under 25) - use the appropriate button below.
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Teacher
Atsuko Clement
Musician
Muriel Johnstone
Dates: 24 April SOLD OUT
Time: 2:45 - 4:15pm
Venue: Manor School of Ballet
Price: £8 per workshop
This class is aimed at dancers with some knowledge of Scottish Country Dancing who wish to improve their Highland dancing steps used in country dances i.e. The Foursome, The Eightsome Reel and The Robertson Rant. This will include the more technical side of Highland steps used, including foot, hand positions and posture.
Please read this Covid-related essential class safety information.
Teacher
Ken Lawson
Musician
Moira Reekie
fun, fitness & friendship
