Branch News 2026
RSCDS Banffshire Branch is delighted to share the news that one of our members Alison Milne received a British Empire Medal in the King's New Year's Honours list for her dedication to Highland Dancing.
Alison attends social dances in and around Banffshire and is a 'weel kent face' amongst our members and dancing friends.
Congratulations Alison
from all at RSCDS Banffshire Branch
“Classes with a Difference” January ‘26
This afternoon we left winter behind and travelled to Australia. Starting with a round-the-room dance ‘Down Unda’, then landing in New South Wales (floral symbol the Waratah, before heading to Western Australia (floral symbol the Kangaroo Paw). While there we visited the Glengarry Homestead before returning to NSW and Sydney to dance Napier’s Index and Katoomba Mist. Then it was off to Melbourne & Tasmania before having a Festival Fling in Adelaide and finishing off in Perth.
The dances – The music –
Down Unda (Bob McMurthy, The Devil’s Quandry) Ian Muir (Start Dancing) ‘The Alloway Reel’
The Waratah Weaver (Elma See, Second Graded Bk) Luke Brady (RSCDS Second Graded Bk)
The Kangaroo Paw (John Brenchly, The Kangaroo Paw) Marian Anderson (The Kangaroo Paw)
The Glengarry Homestead ( “ “ “ ) “ “ “
Napier’s Index (Brian Charlton, published in the Waratah Collection/Bk 45) Keith Smith & Muriel Johnstone (Cairngorms) ‘The Maid of the Mill’
Katoomba Mist (Brian Charlton, Sydney Down Under) Marian Anderson (Belfast Diamond
Jubilee) ‘Set of Reels’
Miss Marshall of Melbourne (Helen Russell, Vallin Coll. 4) Ian Muir (Vallin Suite 3)
Gold in Tassie (John Drewry, The Australian Book) Marian Anderson (Highlander 12)
‘The Dance Illustrator’
Festival Fling (Lily Davidson, Book 44) Robert Whitehead (RSCDS Bk 44)
Perth Meets Perth (Pat Stevenson, Perth 800) Marian Anderson (The Other
Kangaroo Paw)
It was a busy fun afternoon for the 3 sets of dancers and we were ready for our tea and home bakes at half time. We never got as far as Queensland, Northern Territory or Canberra though! Maybe next time?
Report by Dianna Baillie - RSCDS CTC Instructor
Kronach Trip - Banffshire Historic Twinning Association
RSCDS Banffshire Branch were invited to participate in the forthcoming Kronach trip which takes place in July 2026. Branch members who have signed up to the event will be demonstrating Scottish Country Dances during the trip - Members are: Anne McArthur, Alice Archibald, Alistair Mason, Liz & Gordon Bulloch, Linda Thomas .
The programme of events is not set in stone as yet, but it is hoped that the groups will visit schools, nursing homes, and hold a ceilidh on the last night. Watch out for the full programme coming soon...............
Groups attending (71 people)
The Country Quines, Kellas sisters from Keith; the Deveron Singers; The Banffshire Community Band; a team of tennis players from Cullen; a few from the Keith Men’s Shed and Foggie Men’s Shed! Highland Dancers and Scottish Country dancers from across Banffshire (RSCDS Banffshire Branch)
To find out more about the fundraising events - view Dance diary page
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CLASS WITH A DIFFERENCE
15TH FEBRUARY 2026
It was a very cold day so we were encouraged to have 18 people attend the class plus the teachers Bill and
Rosemary. The class included experienced dancers, intermediates and three beginners. The theme was music by Jim Lindsay. Jim has played with many leading musicians over the years such as Bobby Crowe, Ron Kerr, Muriel Johnstone
and Keith Smith so we had a variety of music, with Jim on Accordion or Keyboard. The dances we chose were new to most folk but not difficult to learn as the focus was on having fun. A mixture of reels, jigs and strathspeys plus something very different, Tweedside from Book 19, a Minuette that meant dancing in waltz time taking really small steps.
The afternoon finished with The Scots Guards which is a modified version of The British Grenadiers and the class
learned how to dance a three couple poussette in reel time in order to change places after the second time
through. Then a final easy dance, Jamie’s Jig.
Bill and Rosemary.