Scottish Country Dancing is partly derived from the English style of the 17th Century: “longways for as many as will” dances which often used Scottish tunes. Following the appearance of the country dance in Scotland in the early 18th Century, it adopted some of the characteristics of other dance forms such as Scotch Reels, Quadrilles and Waltzes, but perhaps the most notable change from the English style was the importance of footwork.

Scotland has many other traditions of dance and the country dances incorporate features from older Strathspeys, Reels, rants and Jigs. The result is a style of dance has the elegance and courtesy of the ‘country dance’ and the energy and step precision of the old ‘reels’.

While country dances died out in England, they continued to flourish in Scotland. The dancing masters, who travelled extensively throughout Europe, were often skilled musicians and helped to widen the repertoire to include newer, fashionable dances such as quadrilles and polkas. For more information please visit the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society