Scottish Tradition - Music and Dance Scottish dancing traces its roots back into the mists of time but Scottish Country Dancing as we know it today owes much to its development in the 18th and 19th centuries under the influence of European dancing masters. At this time outstanding musicians, especially fiddlers, gave new life to traditional music and wrote many lively reels and jigs and graceful strathspeys in the traditional style.

Friendship   There are Scottish Country Dance groups all over the world where Scottish Country Dancing is enjoyed by people of all ages, and ethnic backgrounds. Dancers can travel anywhere in New Zealand and the world and be assured of a warm welcome by local dancers elsewhere.

Social Dancing   Scottish Country Dancing is a social form of dancing danced in “sets” usually with four “couples” – unlike Highland Dancing which is usually solo dancing.Scottish dress is NOT required to attend clubs, dances or balls and you don’t need a partner to join a dance club.  Partners who go dancing at clubs, dances or balls, do not dance all dances together.

Dancing for Children

Children will enjoy and benefit greatly from participation in Scottish Country Dancing, in particular developing

• Physical agility and coordination

• Teamwork and social skills

• Mental agility and concentration

Many Scottish Country Dance clubs in New Zealand welcome youngsters - in some areas from 4 years up. 

How do I Start ?

• Phone 0800  NZ DANCE (0800 693 262) or check the directory on this website to contact your local region or club. 
• Many clubs run special classes or sessions for new dancers, especially but not only at the beginning of the "season" which runs from March to October for most NZ clubs. You can start at any time during the year.
• Clubs welcome new dancers and will be happy to accommodate their inexperience. Because dancing is normally  done in sets of eight people, the set can usually help one or two new dancers through a dance.

Dress

• To get started all you need is a pair of soft shoes (e.g sneakers). Eventually you will want to purchase a pair of dancing pumps. These can be obtained in NewZealand - see details on this website.
• Normal dress for club dancing is tidy casual wear. On dance nights dress is a lttle more formal - men who have kilts will wear them, but kilt and jacket is not compulsory even at formal dances in New Zealand.

• Scottish Country Dancing in NZ is a non-profit making activity.
• Most clubs charge a modest fee to cover the cost of hall hire and such things as purchase and maintenance of audio equipment and music.
• Some clubs charge an annual fee (usually less than $100) while others  charge nightly (two or three dollars). Often the first night of dancing is free of charge for new dancers.
• Dancers are encouraged to subscribe to the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society which entitles them to receive publications from the RSCDS headquarters in Scotland and from the NZ Branch. This subscription is currently (2006) $75 per year and also entitles members to cheaper admission to many club and region dances.
• Some NZ clubs combine the RSCDS fee with their club fee but in most cases it is an optional extra fee.

You do NOT need a partner to take up Scottish Country Dancing. It is usual to have a different partner for each dance both at club nights and dance nights.