FAQs
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Q. I've never danced in my life! Is Scottish dancing still for me?
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A. Absolutely! Beginners are welcome at any time of the year at our Mixed Ability class on Monday nights.
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Q. Do you do ceilidhs/reeling?
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A. Scottish country dancing has a lot in common with ceilidh dancing/reeling, but is slightly different. Several of us started Scottish dancing because we loved ceilidhs.
However, we do call ceilidhs, and can perform displays at events you may be organising - hire us.
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Q. I'm not a student, can I still attend?
A. Yes, everyone is welcome! We love the "town-and-gown" feel of our classes.
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Q. I'm not Scottish, can I still dance?
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A. Yes! In the photo below alone, there are dancers from England, Northern Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA.
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Q. Can I attend by myself / without a partner?
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A. Yes! Most Scottish dances occur in couples, within a group of eight dancers, but it's customary to find a new partner for each dance. This is great for meeting people and dancing with friends.
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Q. I danced when I was younger, but gave it up. Now I want to begin again. Which class should I attend?
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A. Welcome back! Everyone is welcome to attend our Mixed Ability class on Monday nights, to make sure that all the basics are fresh in your mind.
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Q. Do I need special shoes?
A. Most people dance in trainers or socks when they first start out. However, once you have discovered that you love dancing(!),
we advise that you purchase soft-soled dancing shoes - either "ghillies", which can be bought online from specialist shoemakers such as the St. Andrews Shoemakers, or black ballet shoes.
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Q. What should I wear to class?
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A. You can wear anything comfortable, ie. normal clothes, although the room we dance in gets hot, especially in the summer! Most people dance in trainers or socks to begin with, until they get dance shoes. We provide water and snack for the break on Mondays.
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Q. Do I have to wear a kilt?
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A. For classes, you can wear anything comfortable. For balls and social dances it is customary, but not obligatory, for men to wear kilts, although we find that, once someone has discovered how much fun a kilt is to dance in, they never look back! Kilts can be expensive, but it is often possible to borrow a kilt.
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Q. I'm not Scottish! Am I even allowed to wear a kilt?
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A. Yes! And contrary to popular belief, tartans rarely indicate the clan of their wearer - people simply choose the ones they like the most.
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Q. Do I have to study for years before I can attend a ball or social dance?
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A. Most beginners attend their first ball or social dance within a few months of starting dancing, although it depends on their dance experience, number of classes attended and the time of year. While there are over 15,000 Scottish country dances, the list of dances for an event is published in advance and those dances are often taught in class, so that people feel confident enjoying them on the evening. Some dancers find that revising the dances for an hour or so aids their enjoyment of the evening. At the dance there will usually be a verbal recap of each dance, and almost everyone there will remember what it was like to be a beginner and will happily guide you.
