| Words 'Scotland' and 'dance' for many | | | | facing each other or in squares, moving |
| immediately conjure up mental pictures of | | | | through a repeating series of prescribed |
| swinging kilts. These aren't just cliches: | | | | steps and movements which eventually ends |
| since the 18th century, dance has always had | | | | with all the dancers back in their original |
| an important place at all levels of Scottish | | | | formation. Individual dances - of which there |
| society and even today, it is still very much | | | | are literally thousands, with new ones being |
| a living tradition. There are generally | | | | created all the time - are often quite |
| three different styles of Scottish | | | | intricate and require a fair degree of |
| traditional dance: ceilidh dancing, country | | | | technique, mobility and grace. |
| dancing and Highland dancing. | | | | |
| | | | Unlike the freeform ceilidh dancing, this |
| The first one is the most accessible form of | | | | dancing is strictly regulated and |
| our traditional dancing. The basic dances are | | | | standardised. Under the gaze of the Royal |
| all fairly easy to master, are few in number | | | | Scottish Country Dance Society, the form and |
| and comprise mostly round-the-room and set | | | | movements of each dance are agreed and |
| dances. The emphasis is firmly on having fun | | | | published so that its 25,000 members across |
| and being sociable - there is none of the | | | | the globe learns the authorised version. |
| regulation and competition that marks the | | | | While this may stifle individual creativity, |
| other forms of traditional dance and the | | | | it does allow people to come together from |
| dress-code is invariably 'come-as-you-are'. | | | | all over the world and enjoy the common |
| Key ingredients of a good ceilidh include | | | | language of dance. It is important to have a |
| enthusiasm, a good band, and usually - but | | | | proper uniform, that migh also improve a self |
| not essentially - drink. Ceilidh dancing is | | | | confidence, especially for beginners. The |
| taught to schoolkids across the country so | | | | easy way of having a nice suit is a kilt hire |
| most Scots grow up with it, which is no doubt | | | | and of course most popular is kilt hire UK. |
| why it's a regular feature of weddings and | | | | |
| other social gatherings, such as Burns | | | | In contrast to ceilidh and country dancing, |
| Suppers. In the past decade or so, however, | | | | Highland dancing is performed competitively, |
| Glasgow and Edinburgh have witnessed an | | | | usually by youngsters. The dances are mostly |
| explosion in the ceilidh's popularity as a | | | | solo performances, where the emphasis is on |
| weekend entertainment and have seen a number | | | | the precise execution of intricate footwork. |
| of ceilidh clubs emerge. | | | | The standard of competitive performance is |
| | | | very high and thanks to a number of |
| The next one - Scottish country dancing is | | | | regulatory bodies in different countries, |
| much more organised affair than ceilidh | | | | competitions often have an intenational |
| dancing. The dances involve combinations of | | | | flavour. |
| up to five couples, usually arranged in lines | | | | |