Scottish dancers lead the way in Princes Street Gardens

Nine lively dancers from the Edinburgh Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) displayed popular Scottish dances in the sizzling evening sunshine earlier this week. More than 130 dancers joined the dancing on the flagstones at the Ross Bandstand in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Organised as part of a season of outdoor dancing in the gardens, the team expertly led the crowds through a dozen reels, jigs and strathspeys to the music of local bandleader, Callum Wilson.

Specially chosen dances included the ever popular “Dashing White Sergeant”, a mass “Gay Gordons” and the more intricate “Scott Meikle”, a dance from the latest book of country dances by the RSCDS. “I’m delighted that so many people, dancers and visitors to the city have got up and joined in”, said Garry Robertson, one of the dancers, “it just showed what a great social activity it really is”. Princes Street Gardens Dancing runs throughout the Summer on Monday evenings and meshes well with the Scottish Governments policy of “Get Scotland Dancing”.

Want to try it for yourself? RSCDS Edinburgh runs classes in Scottish Country dancing starting in September for all levels and abilities. Scottish dancing is a great way to keep fit, make friends and have fun. For more information, visit the website http://www.rscdsedinburgh.org

Submitted by Andrew Nolan