About Shoes

Women wear Scottish country dance pumps. These look like plain black ballet shoes- but a bit more robust.

Men wear laced up ghillies – women sometimes wear these too as they prefer the laced up shoes

 

If you’re buying online, be sure to buy Scottish country dance shoes, not Highland dance shoes as they are different

1. Antonio Pacelli has been a good option for standard Scottish country dance shoes but website is currently (Jan 2025) showing that the country dance shoes have been discontinued.

1. Other online options are Thistle Shoes and James Senior Shoes – very helpful on the phone if you have specific queries.

2. Split sole dance sneakers: some dancers prefer this type of shoe as it gives more support. I have heard good things about the Criss Cross shoe, which is made by Bloch, and Rumpf split sole sneakers have also been recommended. I understand that the sneakers can come up a little smaller than standard street shoes so worth considering sizing up.

3. Specialist dance shops in London are Capezzio, Bloch and Dancia, all in Covent Garden. Mainly ballet – don’t have Scottish Dance on websites but might be worth popping in for a chat.