How to Learn a Scottish Dance
Dancing at a traditional Scottish dance, called a ceilidh, can be an enjoyable way to engage with an ancient yet enduring Scottish tradition. These country dances, accompanied by fiddles, guitars and accordions, are a great way to exercise and meet people. You can learn through a variety of classes, videos and societies, but sometimes the best way to learn is by jumping straight in during the ceilidh.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Scottish dance instructional video
- CD of ceilidh music or musicians
- Television
- DVD player
- CD player
Instructions
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Taking a Class or Workshop
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1
Visit the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society's website to find a worldwide list of local branches.
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2
Call your closest branch to find out when the next classes or lessons are available. The branch might also have performances or demonstrations that you could attend.
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3
Arrive for your first class with clothes that are easy to move in and shoes that are comfortable.
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4
Follow your partners and don't be afraid of looking silly.
Teaching Yourself
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5
Find a ceilidh-dancing instructional video online from a website such as www.MusicInScotland.com.
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6
Convince a partner or two or three to join you. While some dances can be done with just two, there are many that require at least four to complete.
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7
Buy traditional or contemporary ceilidh music, or download some sheet music from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and invite some musicians.
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8
Use a rather large room, with a television and DVD player to play your instructional video and a CD player for the music.
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9
Replicate each move in the step-by-step video as the instructor dictates.
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10
Try the moves all together, slowly. Build up speed as you become more comfortable.
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11
Start your music and try to complete the dance at the pace of the music.
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Tips & Warnings
Some ceilidh dances require serious physical strength or agility. Partners can be lifted in the air, spun by their arms, or otherwise jostled. If you have health problems that would prevent you from doing other types of strenuous or demanding physical activities, Scottish ceilidh dancing is probably not for you.
