Welcome

Discover the Joy of Scottish Country Dancing in Manchester. Whether you want to learn something new, build lasting friendships, or just enjoy dancing, our Beginner's Scottish Country Dance & Ceilidh classes are the perfect place to start. These lessons teach you the skills and confidence to dance. You don't need to be Scottish to dance Scottish! So be brave and give it a go.

We run a Beginners/Improvers Class on Tuesday evenings and an Intermediate/Advanced Class on Wednesday evenings September - May (except Christmas and Easter holidays).

See our Classes page for our timetable or check out our What We Do page for more on what we do.

We also run social dances, which are opportunities to meet like-minded people from other classes. Our classes will help prepare you for these. Please see our Social Dances page for more details.

RSCDS Manchester Branch will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2025. We hope you can join us to keep Scottish Dancing alive.

For a contact list of other nearby dance groups and useful links, please see the Useful Links & Other Groups page.

Occasionally we are able to perform demonstrations or run Ceilidhs for a small fee, subject to availability. Due to the small size of the volunteer group, we request at least three months notice of your event. More details can be found on our Displays and Demonstrations page.

Our Affiliated group "The Gay Gordons" also run Ceilidh classes and LGBTQ+ oriented Scottish Dance classes. Please see The Gay Gordon's Manchester Website for more information.

What is Scottish Country Dancing?

Scottish Country Dancing is not just a dance form; it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and movement, and in Manchester, we are proud to offer a vibrant and welcoming space for all dance enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, our classes are designed to embrace and cultivate every dancer’s spirit.

Click here for a video example of a Traditional Scottish Country Dance.

Scottish Country and Ceilidh (pronounced "kay-lee") Dancing is rooted in the cultural heritage of Scotland, characterized by its spirited group dances and engaging live music. Here in Manchester, we bring this age-old tradition to life through inclusive and joyful experiences. The infectious energy of our classes fosters camaraderie and builds bonds among participants, whether they’re joining for social reasons, fitness, or simply for the joy of dance.

At each of our classes we incorporate a variety of music styles and tempos, allowing dancers to experience the full spectrum of Scottish culture while letting loose on the dance floor. Each class is not just about mastering the steps, but also about enjoying the rhythm and connections that come with dancing together. There are three types of Scottish Country Dancing: Jigs, Reels and Strathspeys. Jigs and reels are faster dances, whereas Strathspeys are uniquely Scottish with a slow stately tempo. All three types are taught at our classes.

Dances usually involve between 4 and 10 dancers, with each pair of dancers taking a turn in the spotlight, supported by the other dancers in the group. You don't need to bring a regular partner in order to participate since you will change partners for each dance. Dances follow patterns made up of a sequence of discrete movements called "formations". Whilst there is some footwork to be learned, the emphasis is on the patterns made around the dance hall and the fun and friendly atmosphere. It is not necessary to memorise whole dances as there is always a dance caller to tell you what comes next in the dance. Having mastered the basics at our classes, a dancer should be able to confidently participate at ceilidhs and beginner level ("nice and easy") social dances.

We believe that dancing is for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background. We create a welcoming environment where all are encouraged to give it a go. Our classes cater to a variety of skill levels, so whether you’ve danced before or are stepping onto the floor for the first time, you’ll feel right at home. You are never too old to start dancing.

We are committed to the continuous improvement of our dancers. Our RSCDS qualified teachers are experienced and passionate dancers themselves who want you to enjoy their hobby too. From basic footwork to more advanced formations, we strive to ensure that every dancer leaves the class feeling accomplished and inspired to keep dancing.

We invite you to experience the warmth and excitement of Scottish Country Dancing in Manchester. Whether you want to learn something new, build lasting friendships, or enjoy a fun workout, our classes are the perfect place to start. Check out our schedule on our website and sign up for a class today—come and be part of our joyous community!

About The RSCDS

The Scottish Country Dance Society was formed in Glasgow in 1923 with the aim of preserving country dances as danced in Scotland. The society received its "Royal" status in 1951 and has expanded to over 170 branches in the UK and worldwide. More about the RSCDS can be found here. The Manchester branch was founded in 1935 and continues to hold classes and dances suitable for all levels of dancer.

Scottish Country Dancing is not just a dance form; it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and movement, and in Manchester, we are proud to offer a vibrant and welcoming space for all dance enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, our classes are designed to embrace and cultivate every dancer’s spirit.

RSCDS Manchester Branch will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary year in 2025 with a series of events and a new book of dances. We hope you can join us.

The Health Benefits of Dancing

Dancing is an excellent way of keeping active, improving mental health and reducing stress levels. It is suitable for all ages, fitness and ability levels. Dancing is an ideal way of meeting people and making new friends. Scottish country dancing is also very good at improving memory skills. So join us for fun, fitness and friendship!

Class Information

Whether you want to learn something new, build lasting friendships, or enjoy a fun mental & physical workout, our Beginner's Scottish Country Dance classes are the perfect place to start. You don't need to be Scottish to dance Scottish! So be brave and give it a go. See this Youtube Video for an example of Scottish Country Dancing.

• Our Beginner/Improver class is aimed at those who have never tried Scottish Country Dancing before, those who have been dancing less than 2 years and those who are returning to dancing from a long break.
• Our Intermediate/Advanced class is for anyone who has been doing Scottish Country Dancing for at least two years, has good knowledge of basic figures and footwork, and an interest in more difficult technique or dances.
• Ceilidh club and LGBTQ+ oriented classes are also run by our Affiliated group the "Gay Gordons". Please see The Gay Gordon's Manchester Website for more information.
• Unfortunately we are currently unable to offer a dedicated class for children or teenagers. Teenagers who are accompanied by a parent or guardian for the whole class are welcome to join our adult classes. Please email us for more information.

All our classes start at 7.30pm and last for two hours. Our class venue is: Ladybarn Community Hub, Royle Street, Ladybarn, M14 6RN.. Parking is available, with public transport nearby. We open up the hall up to 10 minutes prior to the class starting.

There will be short water breaks between each dance. Wear ordinary loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes or trainers. Bring a re-usable bottle of water to class.

Your first taster class with us is £3 (in Cash please). Thereafter, block payment per term (averaging £7 per class). Various Block-payment options available - see the Prices and Membership Page for more detail.

Class Timetable

Downloadable Class Calendar & Events Leaflet

Click: Calendar & Events to download

Our Scottish Country and Ceilidh Social Dances

Below are the dates, programmes and crib sheets for our social dances, and those hosted by our affiliated group The Gay Gordons. Please endeavour to let the organisers know you are coming in advance by email/facebook message or at a class.
The dances are taught in our Beginner/Improver classes. If you haven't danced before, or your only experience is Ceilidh dancing, please come to our classes before trying your hand at a social dance.

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Displays, Demonstrations and Ceilidhs

Our main commitment is to our own classes and dances. We are particularly interested in doing community fairs and similar events where we can advertise our classes free of charge and demonstrate what we do to a wide audience. Please email us to let us know about your event. We are a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers.

Occasionally we are able to facilitate a Ceilidh. Note we need at least three months notice of your proposed date to organise any event and can only do evenings or weekends which do not clash with our own events. Please note that we are a very small volunteer group.

• Our ceilidh fee (caller, DJ and up to 4 "helpers") is £200 for a 60 - 90 minute session.
• Our Dance Demonstration fee (DJ and 6-8 dancers) is £200 for a 40 - 60 minute session.
• Price for Hen Do's (1 Teacher & 1 supporting dancer) is £75 for a 60 - 90 minute session.

How To Contact Us

Newcomers/Prospective dancers: please email us at least 48 hours prior to the Tuesday Class to book a place. This is so we can track numbers for classes and plan accordingly. Likewise, please let us know if you are unable to come to a class so we know who to expect.

Members of other RSCDS branches and Scottish Country Dance Groups wishing to send us information about your upcoming events, please email details/flyers to: General Enquiries Email Link or give flyers to a comittee member in person. We display event flyers on our noticeboard at classes. Thank you.

You can also keep up to date with us via our facebook group

For a list of other local clubs and groups, please see our Useful Links page

RSCDS Manchester is a registered charity, No. 1082107.

GDPR Statement: By contacting us you agree that we may from time to time send you details of our classes and events. We will not use your details for any other purpose than this or administering your membership and will not give your details to third parties. If you no longer wish to be contacted, please email us stating you wish to opt-out of future communications.

Venue Information

Our venue for all classes is: Ladybarn Community Hub, Royle Street, Ladybarn, M14 6RN

Our venue for our November Social Dance is: St Matthews Hall, Chapel Lane, Stretford, M32 9AJ

Our venue for our February Social Dance is: Ladybarn Community Hub, Royle Street, Ladybarn, M14 6RN

All our venues have toilet facilities, step-free access and limited on-site parking. Parking is also available on local side streets. Please bring your own reusable drinks bottle & drink. Venues are opened up to 15 minutes prior to our events starting.

Useful Links to other Clubs, Classes and Dance Resources

Dance Shoes

After your first 6-8 weeks of lessons we recommend you obtain the proper shoes. Ladies normally wear black "ballet flats", whilst men wear "ghillies". It is strongly recommended you wear dance insoles inside your shoes. For those with long term foot or knee problems, jazz shoes (with insoles) or "dance sneakers" may be a better option. Shoes can be obtained via the following links (in order of recommendation). Please ask class tutors for more advice. A "How-To" on choosing and maintaining shoes is also available to download from our Distance Learning page

Fit To Dance, Altringham Sells a variety of ladies shoes for all types of dance.

RSCDS Leeds Branch Shop. Note this shop is run for dancers by the Leeds Branch and all profits go back into dancing. They sell mens' & ladies' Dance Shoes, Scottish Dance books and CDs. Order online or at a Leeds Branch Dance.

James Senior Shoes (St Andrews, Scotland) A dedicated Scottish Country Dance shop for bespoke fittings.

Thistle Shoes (Glenrothes, Scotland) A dedicated Scottish Country Dance shop for bespoke fittings.

General Scottish Dance Resources

Scottish Country Dance Database (SCDDB) for dance cribs and videos.

Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary for instructional videos on figures and footwork.

RSCDS Headquarters

RSCDS Leeds Branch Shop this shop is run for dancers by the Leeds Branch and all profits go back into dancing. They sell mens' & ladies' Dance Shoes, Scottish Dance books and CDs. Order online or at a Leeds Branch Dance.

Youtube has many videos of scottish dancing, including instructional videos - although video and dancer quality varies.

Wikipedia long read on Scottish Country Dancing

Are You Dancing directory of UK dance groups by location

Nearby Children's Classes

Wigan Thistle Society run family classes

Information for Guide and Scout Groups

Gallery

This is a collection of some of our recent photos and videos.

If you have any videos or photos taken at any of our recent events and would like them displayed on our website, please send them to us via the branch email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear and bring to class

• Flat, lightweight shoes or trainers are ideal for your first few lessons. No heels or heavy boots please. After 6-8 weeks of lessons, we recommend you invest in the proper shoes. See Useful Links tab for more details.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing with at least one layer you can take off easily, as you will get quite warm during the class - particularly in the winter where venues may start off quite cold.
• A (reusable) bottle of water/juice.
• Weekly class fee (in cash or cheque)
• Plenty of enthusiasm!

Do I need to bring a partner?

No. You will be expected to change partners after every dance, so everyone will get to participate. Experienced dancers will naturally try to dance with less experienced dancers in order to aid their learning & development. Dancing with the same one person to the exclusion of others is actively discouraged in social and folk dancing. However, the more the merrier - so feel free to bring a friend!

Are these just Ceilidh lessons?

Scottish Ceilidh dancing is a subset of Traditional Scottish Country Dancing. Many of the component parts (the "figures") encountered in Ceilidh Dancing are present throughout Scottish Country Dance and other forms of traditional folk dance. The beginner's classes start at Ceilidh level, and gradually add other figures (such as reels of three and setting), as well as some basic footwork, during the first 5-6 weeks of term. This opens up a much wider repertoire of dances.

What is the difference between Scottish Country Dancing (SCD) and Ceilidh Dancing?

Ceilidh Dancing is the entry-level or less formal variant of Scottish Country Dancing typically seen at Weddings, parties and Hogmanay (Scottish New Year).

The basic concept of both Ceilidh and SCD is the same, with very similar music (reels/jigs) and basic formations. However, SCD also incorporates a wider range of formations, a third tempo (strathspey) and some footwork elements. This makes the number of possible dances much greater (>10,000 and counting!).

When should I start dancing?

Our classes are open to complete beginners in September, January and April each year and to those with more experience at any time. The classes get progressively harder (although we recap frequently), so the more classes you can commit to, the better. If you have to miss one or two classes for work or other reasons it isn’t a problem and you can catch up.

You are never too old (or too young) to start. Scottish dancing has a very wide age range, with participants globally ranging from 4-5 years up to people in their 80’s and 90’s! However, RSCDS Manchester Branch are currently unable to accommodate Under-12s. Teenagers should be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the whole class.

Anyone with long-term hip, knee or ankle injuries are advised to consult their GP or Physio. for general advice before starting lessons.

What is the class format?

Classes last 2 hours and include a warm-up, some step and figure practice and approximately 90 minutes of dance-walkthroughs and dancing. There is usually also a 5-10 minute rest-break after the first hour. The objective of each lesson is to learn the figures/formations and footwork, and to practise these in the context of dances. It is not required to remember whole dances for multiple weeks as the dances will be recapped each time. Above all, the aim is to have fun and meet new people.

How big are the classes?

Typical class sizes are between 8 and 24 people. Due to the nature of Scottish dancing as a form of social dance, at least 6 people are needed for a class to go ahead. If there is an odd number of people, some of the more experienced dancers will take it in turns to sit out to give other dancers a chance (and to have a well-deserved rest!) This is perfectly normal for this dance form, so please don’t feel you’ve intruded into a select group. No-one has an established/ permanent dance partner and you are expected to change partners after every dance, so everyone will get to participate.

How quickly will I progress? Are there any festivals, displays or competitions I can enter?

Anyone who has been dancing less than a year is considered a beginner. Those who have been dancing 1-2 years are "improvers". After which, progression is at an individual's own pace, which will depend on age, ability and enthusiasm.

RSCDS Manchester branch from time to time run stalls or displays of Scottish Country Dancing at local fetes and fairs as part of our outreach. All branch members and class participants are encouraged to help out at these events, either by helping to run the stall or dancing in the display team.

The majority of dancers do so for pleasure and the social aspect. Adult Dance Achievement Awards (DAA) Certificates and Teaching Certificate Qualifications are available through the Headquarters of the RSCDS. Please speak to your teacher for advice if you wish to take one of these certificates - these are not held locally.

The RSCDS Leeds branch runs the "White Rose Festival" - a day of "en-mass" dancing each July. All Intermediate and above dancers are invited to participate, either by submitting a full team or by asking to join the Leeds teams. Note that this is not a competition and dancers are not marked or graded for their performance. Please see the RSCDS Leeds Branch Website for further details.

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Our Comittee and Teachers

RSCDS Manchester Branch is organized, run and taught by volunteers. The committee is elected each May at our AGM by Branch members.

Persons wishing to stand for committee must be RSCDS and branch members (see Here for more details), and are requested to make themselves known to the secretary at the earliest opportunity by email or phone.

The 2024 - 2025 Committee is as follows:

• Chairman: Barbara H.
• Hon. Life Vice-Presidents: Joan and Val
• Hon. Secretary / Membership Secretary: Rob K.
• Hon. Treasurer: Dave
• Advertising and Media: Heather
• General Comittee Members: Carol, Ishbel & Nora

The Beginner/Improver Class teachers are: Heather

The Advanced Class teachers are: Barbara H. and Pam D.

The Beginner/Improver Class musicians are: Ishbel (Violin), Steve (Tin Whistle) and Ken (Guitarist).

Class Fees and RSCDS Membership

Class fees are as follows:

• New Dancers First Class/Taster Session: £3 (In Cash Please)
• New Dancers First Term: £24 for the first month (£7 per class). Then block payments as per the below for non-members, pro-rata'd on remaining lessons.
• Returning Dancers: One payment (Bank Transfer or Cheque) for a full term at the beginning of term OR Payment equating to a full term by monthly standing order over 3 months:
• • RSCDS Members: £6 per class (£90 for Autumn Term, £90 for Spring Term, £24 for Summer Term)
  • Non-Members: £7 per class (£105 for Autumn Term, £105 for Spring Term, £28 for Summer Term
  • Note there is one fewer class in the Autumn and Spring for Intermediate/Advanced dancers (Wednesdays). Prices are pro-rata. We do not charge for our AGM in the summer term.

Class fees cover the hall hire, public liability insurance, musicians insurance and any advertising costs incurred. We are a not-for-profit organization.

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) membership runs from August to July each year and comprises a subscription to RSCDS HQ plus a portion retained by RSCDS Manchester branch. The branch portion of the fee is used to administer your membership locally and subsidise our classes and events. Note: You do not need to be a member of the RSCDS to enjoy dancing at RSCDS Manchester Branch classes or dances.

Full year subscriptions are due by our first class in September and are payable by Bank Transfer or Cheque. Please ask in class or email Rob for an application form. The 2024-2025 prices are shown below.

• Adult Single (25+ Full Year): £35 (£28 to HQ, £7 to Manchester branch)
• Adult Joint Household (both 25+ Full Year): £59 (£45 to HQ, £14 to Manchester branch)
• Young Adult (18-24 Full Year): £29 (£22 to HQ, £7 to Manchester branch)
• A Manchester Branch-only subscription (£7) is available for individuals who already have full RSCDS membership with another branch.
• Half-yearly membership is available to new members joining in January. Please ask for details.

Membership of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) entitles you to:

• A £1 discount at all RSCDS Manchester classes (per lesson).
• A £1 discount at RSCDS Manchester branch dances.
• Discounts at other RSCDS events elsewhere in the UK.
• The ability to have a say in how your branch is run, including voting at the Branch AGM or joining the comittee.
• A twice-yearly magazine subscription from the RSCDS Headquarters.
• An email e-newsletter with news, podcasts, and dancing-related puzzles from the RSCDS.
• Priority booking and significant discounts at RSCDS HQ-run Residential Schools and Events.
• Membership of the world's largest Scottish Country Dance network.
• The satisfaction of knowing that your membership makes a difference by helping preserve and revitalize an important part of Scottish culture.
• It also enables RSCDS HQ to train teachers and assessors for the future.

Distance Learning - Useful Guides, Quizzes and Further Reading

This section of the website hosts some useful guides for various aspects of SCD which are not easy to teach in class. These guides are intended for the enthusiastic dancer of any level who wishes to self-study. Please click on the titles below to download.

Anyone wishing to contribute material, suggest topics or submit a correction, please let us know either on our facebook page or via email.

"At-Home" Practical Exercises

A selection of strengthening and dance-related exercise movements which can be done at home.

• Basic Strengthening and Foot Position Exercises
• Beginner's Guide: Jig, Reel or Strathspey? A guide for the Non-Musician.

"How To" Guides

A selection of dance-related generic guidance for home-reading.

• Beginner's Guide: How_To_Choose_And_Maintain_Shoes
• Beginner's Guide: How to "Cast" and different types of "Casting"
• Beginner's Guide: How to Find Your Corners (A Guide to Set Notation)
• Beginner's Guide: How To Read Dance Cribs

Quizzes.

Click on the titles to download the file. Answers are also presented in a separate file, have fun!

Branch Newsletter

• August 2020 Newsletter