What is SCD?

Scottish Country Dancing (SCD) is a form of social dance with roots stretching back for centuries involving groups of couples of dancers tracing progressive patterns according to a predetermined choreography. Country dancing is sometimes mistaken for a type of folk dancing, but it is actually the ballroom dance form of Scotland, as its original base of dancers was from the more educated and wealthy classes of the Renaissance.

There can be no dancing without music, and SCD has attracted some of the most talented musicians to play for it. From the first chord to the final bow or curtsey, dancers are inspired by the driving reels, jaunty jigs, smooth strathspeys or lilting slow airs – leading to the popular expression “the music will tell you” (now also immortalised in the name of a dance).

Scottish dress is not required to attend clubs, dances or balls, nor do you need a partner to join a dance club. Partners who go dancing at clubs, dances or balls, do not dance all dances together; it is common practice to dance with different partners during a night of dancing.