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Scottish Country Dancing Factsheet - February 2006
- www.scottishdancing.org
Subject matter
Dancing as part of a set (e.g. 4 facing 4)
therefore groups can learn together.
Formations such as circle, cross and cast off,
advance and retire. Country Dance steps such as skip change, setting
step.
Level
A beginner can easily learn a basic dance
by the end of their first session. There are five levels: beginner,
intermediate, advanced and very advanced as well as demonstration
standard dancer and two teacher awards. As there are thousands
of dances experience gained over time is also very relevant.
Health Benefits
SCD is weight bearing therefore it builds bone
density helping prevent osteoporosis. It also reduces cellulite.
It is mildly aerobic therefore helps improve
circulation, strengthens heart muscles, and raises fitness levels.
30 mins of fairly easy dancing burns approx.160 calories: the
equivalent of 20 minutes of vigorous swimming, a half hour of
moderate housework, sponge washing the car or 13 hours of kissing
[1] !
Release of endorphins provides improved sleep
patterns and reduced levels of stress and tension.
Social benefits
Building new friendships is a very common feature
of SCD.
Participation in a group activity builds self
confidence through hands – on learning (or is it feet first
learning?). SCD is a structured form of dance which men enjoy.
It also appeals to those who regard themselves as “scientific”
rather than “arty”.
Practical Requirements
Beginners: flat shoes, loose clothing. Dance
floor similar to that used for aerobics.
N. I. context
Scottish Country Dancing became popular in
Northern Ireland in the 1940’s. Ceilidh Dancing was part
of many communities with Scottish ancestry.
Social conditions and the popularity of free
form music and dance in the 1970’s led to a dramatic decline
in the numbers of people participating in SCD between 1976 and
1990.
Cultural aspect
SCD is a non denominational activity enjoyed
all over the world. It uses both Scottish and Irish folk music.
New dances are published each year so it is a living heritage.
Cost
A 10 week programme run by an RSCDS branch
(includes teacher and insurance) costs approx. £40 [2] i.e.
£2 per class.
History
“Country dances” from the court
of Elizabeth 1 were popular in Scotland and in England. These
“country dances” were pastoral dances set to Irish
and Scottish tunes. There was the elegance and courtesy of the
court and the energy of step of the old Viking inherited reels
from Scotland. Scottish Country Dancing continued to flourish
in Scotland after country dancing had died out in England. This
art form was saved due to the work of two Scottish ladies, Mrs
Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich and Miss Jean Milligan, who, after
1923, went about collecting old printed books of dances, taught
a new generation of dance teachers, introduced some degree of
standardisation and set guidelines for correct dancing technique
[3] .
They founded the Royal Scottish Country Dance
Society www.rscds.org .
[1] www.calorie-counter.net
[2] Feb. 2006
[3] Extracts from Factshheet The Royal Scottish Country
Dance Society www.rscds.org
