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What Is Scottish Country Dancing?
Scottish Country Dancing is a great way for people of all ages to keep fit, and is a form of social recreation which can be carried on into active old age with continuous development.
It is equally suitable for men and women, and was developed in a culture in which men took great pride in being fit and skilled dancers. Over 250 years ago foreign visitors were writing with surprise that the Scots were such enthusiastic dancers that they would quite happily 'dance to a corner cupboard' until exhausted, purely for the pleasure obtained from their energetic dances and the lively, driving music. This form of dance has proved so popular that it is now practised throughout the world by people of all races, colours and nationalities, and it is one of comparatively few activities in which different generations of a family can happily participate together on an equal footing.
The dancing is non-competitive social dancing, usually done in teams of 8 dancers, and should not be confused with Highland dances like the Sword Dance or the Fling which are solo dances for competition or display. World-wide, Scottish Country Dancing is THE outstanding recreational dance form, combining as it does aerobic fitness, skills and technique development, social interaction and teamwork, alertness and mental stimulation, as well as developing balance poise and rhythm - and it is great fun. Also, as there are over 14 000 known dances and new ones constantly being written, there is no danger of coming to an end - there is always more challenge ahead to maintain interest and enjoyment for a lifetime.
Scottish Country Dancing does require skill and knowledge to do well, but these can be readily learned. Beginners who are properly taught are able to manage adequately such well known common dances as The Dashing White Sergeant and the Eightsome Reel within seven or eight lessons. From then on the dancer can continually develop skill and knowledge within the international 'family' of the thousands of SCD groups and classes in all continents throughout the world which all welcome keen visiting dancers.
Southern cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle have long had large branches of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and thriving Scottish Country Dance activities, and there it is possible for the dedicated enthusiast to attend a different session every day of the week.
In Darwin, the NT Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society currently arranges each week (through the SCD Teachers Group of NT Inc) a General class for mixed level dancers; a class for Intermediate/Advanced dancers; a Children's class for ages 7 to 13, preparing them for promotion to the General and/or Advanced classes when ready; and also runs two beginners' courses each year to enable newcomers to take up the activity here. The Teachers Group also runs a weekly Ladies' Highland Step class. All these sessions are taken by fully qualified and experienced RSCDS teachers. Members also have access to the thousands of other SCD branches and groups wherever they travel, interstate and worldwide. No special 'Ethnic' clothing is required.
Please feel free to come and sit in at either the Intermediate/Advanced or the General classes, and see for yourself - even if only to enjoy the splendid music!
1. The Intermediate/Advanced class is held every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
2. The General class is held every Saturday afternoon from 3:15 to 5:15 pm.
3. The Children's class class is held every Monday from 5:30 to 6:45 pm.
5. The beginners' courses (no previous knowledge or experience required) are run on 12 consecutive Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, the first from mid-February to the end of April and the second from mid-August until the end of October, each year.
For the starting date of the next beginners course, see
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