In the early 1900’s two Scottish ladies Jean Milligan, a PE teacher, and Ysobel Stewart, a life-long country dancer, noticed that Scottish country dancing was disappearing from Scotland; the waves of people moving through the UK and Europe brought other music, other dances and other forms of entertainment.
During the 1920s, the two ladies began collecting dances, with a view to publishing them, then started teaching them and went on to form what is now the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS). Details of dances were taken from books, music, old programmes and the memories of anybody who could contribute. By the end of 1930 there were more than a dozen branches in the UK with a number of trained teachers.
Hmmm….early 1900’s dancing….doesn’t sound very exciting does it? I’m picturing stuffy old ladies in pearls and daggy pumps. Well, the two ladies in question were, many years later, old and may well have been wearers of pearls but the dances they were collecting were exuberant, social and a great deal of fun (think about it, you know how much fun the Celts are capable of having!).
Now I know what you’re imagining: a troop of identically dressed highlanders leaping over swords, flying through the air with high kicks and knees akimbo, sporting calves to shame Cadel Evans. Not so! That’s Highland dancing; this is Scottish country dancing! (SCD). Think of bush dancing, which most Australians have done at some point – it’s dancing with a partner, mostly in a ‘set’ of 3 or 4 couples, dancing specific patterns on the floor. There’s a little more complexity to it than bush dancing but it’s not the demanding activity that Highland is. SCD is danced around the world by Scots and non-Scots alike, including by people all around Tasmania.
So now you know that you don’t need to be Scottish and you’re not tripping over swords, what else? Well, you don’t need a partner (and a kilt is optional), but you do need a bit of energy and enthusiasm. The other thing to know of course, is where? There are groups in Burnie, Launceston, Oatlands and Hobart, all full of friendly people excited to welcome new dancers and help them find their dancing feet.
Hobart’s TASCAL Scottish country dancers, who dance regularly in Moonah, are holding a free Come & Try session so that you can discover the joys of Scottish country dancing and see if it is an activity you would like to include in your lifestyle. This is being held on Saturday, 26 February, 2pm to 4.30pm, at the Lenah Valley Hall, Creek Road, Lenah Valley, (note, this is not our regular hall). You don’t need to bring a partner, just wear some comfortable clothing and soft soled shoes and bring a water bottle. We will teach you a few jigs and reels to our lively traditional music.
If you enjoy it, you might like to join our next 8-week Introduction to Scottish country dancing class starting Thursday, 3 March, from 6pm (at the Caledonian Hall, 31 Homer Ave, Moonah). The introductory course program is comprised of basic steps and formations and once completed, dancers are encouraged to join our social class on a Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, and also attend our various social events, including the year’s highlight, the Winter Ball, held at the historic Hobart Town Hall (Saturday 20 August 2022).
Qualified teacher Sally Ord says that Scottish country dancing is an exciting form of dance that has widespread appeal for people of all ages and abilities.
“The dance steps and movement create flowing patterns and the dances can be fun and lively while some are slow and elegant. Thanks to the work of the RSCDS, wherever you go in the world, SCD groups dance the same steps, the same formations and many familiar dances.”
Not only is it fun to learn, dance and master, Scottish country dancing can also give you significant physical, mental and social benefits. One hour’s dancing can burn calories, reduce stress, increase energy and improve coordination. It is terrific for increasing fitness and stamina over time.
“It is a very mentally stimulating form of dance,” Ord said. “And it’s also fantastic for building social capital. We are very friendly and welcoming and would love to have more people join us in dancing Scottish.”
If you are an experienced dancer already, then come along and meet us at our weekly Thursday class at 7.30pm.
For more information please contact Sally Ord (qualified RSCDS teacher) on 0413 93 490 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Facebook: Tasmanian Scottish Country Dancers RSCDS. Web: rscds.org.au
Videos for Scottish country dancing are also available at www.youtube.com/TheRSCDS.
Featured image: a recent Scottish country dance flashmob in Elizabeth Mall, Hobart.
