Scottish Country Dancing is the traditional ballroom dancing of Scotland. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, based in Edinburgh, was founded in 1923 to preserve this joyful social dance tradition. Since then Scottish Country Dancing has spread all over the world. Unlike Highland dances, which are usually solo performances accompanied by bagpipes, Country dances are danced with partners in sets of two or more couples doing an exciting variety of formations. The music is provided by a fiddle and piano, or by a band.
Talented musicians play for parties and some classes.
The dances vary in tempo, including lively jigs, hornpipes and reels, and the slower, elegant strathspeys. The Branch holds monthly social dances, an annual formal Valentine's Ball, a gala party at the Labor Day Games, an annual weekend at Asilomar, and special events and workshops. It also publishes a bimonthly newsletter. No partners are needed to attend classes or parties, and one need not be Scottish to join the fun. Sessions for new beginners start every September in most locations and at other times in some cities.