What is Scottish Country Dancing?

Have a look at this delightful gif image from Marucho's Folkdance Site. It shows a Scottish country dance called Petronella. The people are dancing in two rows of four as this is a four-couple dance.

Country dances include jigs, reels and strathspeys. They are danced in sets of three, four, five and sometimes six or seven couples. Dancers can be in a longwise set like the petronella or a square set.

Highland dances, including sword dances, are for individuals, often performed in competitions and displays.

Why not try our spring beginners' course starting January 2010?

From January to March, the RSCDS Brighton Branch are holding beginners' classes 7:30 Friday evenings in the Community Centre Hall of St Peter's West Blatchington BN3 7LQ on the corner of Hangleton Rd / Holmes Avenue.

Come to these classes to learn jigs, reels and also the unique, slow and elegant Strathspeys. We will practise and the various basic Scottish dance formations - rights-and-lefts, hands-across and hands-round, slow turns and tight turns, leading down and stepping up. Then as you gain confidence and skill we'll do reels of 3, reels of 4, reels across or on the side and maybe more, depending on the skill and interests of the dancers. By the end of the term you will be able to dance well enough enjoy the local Scottish country dances and balls.

All are welcome from age 5 to 95! Weekly class fees are £3 for children and £4 for adults. Beginners' classes are at:

• 7:30 - 8:45 Beginners' Country dancing
• 6:15 - 7:30 Country and Highland dancing for children (call Susanna 01273 885029)

If it snows please phone Denise on 01273 735400 to check the class is running.

If you have enough mobility to skip around the room, why not come along, join in the fun, meet new friends and increase your fitness all at the same time?

After this term, you will be able to dance Scottish country dances with skill and confidence and be able to join in the local Scottish country dances and balls.

All you need ...

All you need are soft flat shoes and loose comfortable clothing. You don't even need a partner.

Want to know more about it?

There is more information about the dancing on our page of Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs).

Or you can E-mail or phone Rod on 01903 783053 or Denise on 01273 735400.