
London
Scottish country dancing across the capital
Resources for 8 week beginners' course in Euston
Welcome to dancing with RSCDS London!
We will post details each week of what has been covered in the Wednesday class, including links to websites with more information (including videos) about individual dances and steps.
These links are provided for your interest only. Some people find them helpful, but you don’t need to look at them to enjoy and progress in the classes. An alternative link on the RSCDS website offers more videos and information about basic steps and formations.
For information about where to buy dance shoes - check the bottom of this page, below the week by week class summaries.
​Week 1: 9 October 2024
James Fairbairn was our teacher this week, accompanied by Adam Brady on keyboard.
​
​We danced the following dances :
-
Circassian Circle 1C · R32
-
1 couple in a Circular dance, 32 bar Reel)
-
-
Leap Year 2/4L · J24
-
2 couples in 4 couple Longwise set, 24 bar Jig
-
-
The Honeymoon 3/4L · R32
-
3 couples in a 4 couple Longwise set, 32 bar Reel
-
-
De'il Amang the Tailors 3/4L · R32
-
3 couples in a four couple Longwise set, 32 bar Reel
-
Everyone worked hard and quickly learned a lot of different steps and formations (details below). I’ve included links to another website, The Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary, which has many instructions and videos of different steps and formations.
​
Steps
-
Pas de basque setting step
-
Slip step ​ circle step
Figures and formations
-
Hands across and back (Right hands across,/Left hands across)
-
Turn right hand / left hand (RH/LH)
-
Set and hands across halfway
Week 3:
Week 5: 1
​​​
​
Week 7:
Week 2: ​
Week 4:
Week 6:
Week 8:
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!
-
For standard Scottish country dance shoes you can try Antonio Pacelli.
-
Other online options are Thistle Shoes and James Senior Shoes – very helpful on the phone if you have specific queries.
-
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.
-
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.