WELCOME The RSCDS has brought out a new downloadable Welcome Guide for new members. It's full of helpful information and existing members may find some of the content interesting too, such as the page of Useful Information Links. If you'd like to have a look, the Welcome Guide can be downloaded here The latest Dance Scottish Together can be found here Talveuudised jaanuar - märts 2024 21 January 2024 Class with a Difference By Anne Taylor and Dianna Baillie A brief lull between severe weather warnings (the snow had disappeared overnight & storm Isha wasn’t due till evening) meant the class at Spey Bay was good to go. Anne & Dianna took it turn about to teach the dances (which all had ‘New’ in the title, as it was the first class of the New Year). We started off with ‘The New Forest Circle’ (New Forest SCD) as a warm up, then Newburgh Jig (Bk48). Anne took us through New Abbey (Roy Goldring) where we were encouraged to cover across all the sets and New Amsterdam (Chris Ronald, Big Apple Coll.) had a couple of new formations there to challenge us - a very enjoyable dance once we got it. The Newholme Jig (Ian Barbour, Magic Medicine), followed by ‘A Guid New Year’ (Maggie & Duncan Keppie) taught by Dianna and Anne finished off with ‘Ways in New Hall’ (Bk42) then ‘The New Opera’ (John Drewry, Australia Bk.) Ladies’ Chain, Espagnole, S et and Rotate, Rondel. The new ones - Celtic Cross Progression, Swing Corners and a modified Corners Pass and Turn (half turn & twirl instead of Turn) were formations covered. A very enjoyable afternoon had by all and can’t wait to see what Bill and Rosemary have in store for us next month. Class with a Difference 18th February 2024 RSCDS Teachers, Bill & Rosemary Legge We had two three couple sets and we danced to make it a seven. Our theme was "Something old and Something new" Our dances were - Scotch Mixer The Waggle o' the Kilt Toast to the Mousies Mathilde is a Delight Chased Lovers Scottish Reform The Riverside Report by Bill Legge The dates for the next 'Class with a Difference' can be found here Estonian Visitors to Banffshire Estonian Dancers come to Portsoy Eight young dancers and four adults travelled from Avinurme in Estonia to Portsoy this week. It was a second visit for three of them. They had travelled to Riga, flew to Edinburgh and bused to Aberdeen. Anne McArthur picked them up there and took them to Portsoy with a stop to visit Delgaty Castle. The dancers stayed in the Sail Loft in Portsoy overnight. They had a hectic schedule sampling the delights of Bonnie Portsoy. There was pizza, fine pieces and a ceilidh with some members of the Banffshire Branch and Anne McArthur's Dancers on Wednesday night. Thursday was a beautiful sunny day although very cold and windy. The dancers were accustomed to the cold as they live near the Russian Border but the wind from the North Sea was something else. The group visited the Salmon Bothy Museum, walked around the historic harbours then headed to Soy Kilts where Moira showed them how to make a kilt. After a very informative visit it was off to Portsoy's famous ice cream shop, the gift shop and Portsoy's Harrods of the North - the Thrift Shop. In the afternoon Anne McArthur taught the dancers the highland fling and the sword dance with some of her little dancers then it was a visit to Hook, Line and Sinker for a fish and chip supper and back on the minibus to Aberdeen. Ceilidh night Ice cream delight Kilt making Harbour walk Happy travellers Harbour Walk Estonian Group February 2024 Estonian Visitors News March 2024 Class with a Difference - 17th March 2024 by RSCDS Teacher, Isobel Turner RSCDS Banffshire “classes with a difference”, Sunday March 17, 2024, 2-4pm Arradoul SWI hall, by Buckie March 17 was a beautiful warm spring day; thank you to the 15 people who gave up the chance of being out in the sun and instead came along to the class. With myself that gave us the perfect number for 4-couple sets. I chose “valleys” as the theme for the day, including glens, straths, vales and dales. We started with “Glen Janet”, an easy jig from Newfoundland and a slight cheat as “Glen” in this case is a man’s name, Glen and Janet being a couple. We then danced “Ellwyn’s fairy glen”, an older reel by John M. Duthie not often danced these days, and we followed that with “Strathaird”, a strathspey for 4 couples from the Sheffield “Second sheaf” collection. The next two dances were a bit more challenging, the reel for 4 couples “Glens of Angus” from Book 23 and “Gladys McDonald of Glencoe”, a John Drewry jig from the Aberdeen 75 th anniversary collection. The next dance, rather easier, was again from the Sheffield “Second sheaf”, “The Don Valley Reel”. “Strathmore”, a 4-couple strathspey from Book 43, was quite tricky but could be danced just twice through and we were able to finish with another simpler reel, “Snowdrops in the glen” from the Glasgow 90 th anniversary book. Well done to everyone who attended and persevered with some of the more difficult dances – I hope you all found it was worth missing the sunshine! Isobel Turner

Scottish Country dance class, Dufftown Contact Kate by phone click here Mortlach Memorial Hall - directions click here DUFFTOWN SCD CLUB Kate Strathdee, RSCDS Teacher TUESDAY evening class Dufftown class Mortlach Memorial Hall, Dufftown 2024 Classes will resume in September 2024 Tuesday 17th September 2024 to Tuesday 10th December 2024 2025 Tuesday January 7th 2025 to Tuesday 1 April 2025 Contact Kate for further information Follow us of Social media click the link to Facebook below Phone

This weekend, dignitaries including Scotland's culture minister will gather in the unlikely surrounds of Glasgow's Hard Rock Cafe. However, it won't be the Rolling Stones or Guns 'N Roses that Christina McKelvie and others are there to hear but accordion music . On November 26, 1923, a public meeting was held in the Buchanan Street building, then the Atheneum. Efforts to attract attendees had been bolstered with an advert in The Herald. As it was, around 17 Glaswegians gathered in the hall, with a shared purpose - to enjoy one of Scotland's most celebrated traditions and ensure its survival. From those humble beginnings and over a period of 100 years the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) has grown into a global organisation with 73 branches in Scotland , 37 in Canada, 11 in Japan and even one in Hawaii. One branch in New Zealand covers the entire country while the Paris group is "growing like mad." Scottish country dancing is, according to the Society, one of the country's best exports, with figures showing RSCDS’s members outside Scotland boosted the country's economy by more than £2.3M last year. That sum doesn’t count the local economic impact of society members renting halls for dances and classes and hiring caterers and bands. While it might conjure up unwelcome memories of sweaty-palmed pairings in the school gym hall, society leaders say it's never been more popular. One of the best-attended branches is at the University of Glasgow. Like TV's Strictly Come Dancing, it has moved with the times. Partners are free to dance with whoever they want, says William Williamson, chair of the Society. "We've got this strapline of Fun, Fitness and Friendship and that is really the essence of what it does," he says. "Everyone can dance with whoever they like. It's that magic of the dance and the music and the inclusivity and the Scot wanting people to join in. It's a great export." That first meeting of the society was organised by Michael Diack (June 26, 1869 - February 2, 1946) a Scottish musician, who oversaw the teaching of music in the Glasgow area. He founded the Glasgow Bach Choir in 1906 and made English translations of choral works by classical masters. In 1923 he suggested a meeting with founders Ysobel Stewart, who wanted to publish a book of Scottish country dances for the Girl Guides movement and Jean Milligan, who was keen to encourage more men to take it up as part of the PE course at Jordanhill College. Glasgow's Paterson's Publications, which was formed two years later, agreed to print a first book of dances to get the society up and running. "They had dances like the Petronella, The Flowers of Edinburgh, Strip the Willow and the Duke of Perth and those are dances that people still do today," says Mr Williamson. As the society was growing, ex-pats would take the music all over the world . But it's all about the Scot going abroad to live there and taking their music and dance but not keeping it to themselves and saying 'Come on and join us. That's the great thing. "Obviously the Americas and Canada are big and Australia and New Zealand is big. "We've got three huge branches in Japan which I've visited in the past and it's all Japanese people and we've got a lovely branch in Buenos Aires." In 1951 under George VI and the future Queen, the group became the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Most of the dance steps are preserved in books, images an original short film of dancers in the Borders dating back to 1930. I've danced since I was at school here, says Mr Williamson, a long-time member, who lives in Dumfriesshire. It brings people together and it doesn't matter what age you are. "It's a real leveler, the dance floor. It doesn't matter if you are a rocket scientist or someone who works on the land and you make life-long friends. "We have branches all over the world and I often ask myself, why would folk in Buenos Aires want to learn Scottish Country Dancing? "Other countries have traditional dancing but it tends to be trailed out for the tourists and it's stuck in a particular period, whereas, ours has developed and folk turn up to classes in their jeans and in their shorts. "It's a living tradition, which means there are still people composing music and tunes and devising dances." While dancers will generally dress up in kilts and ball gowns for a ball, jeans and trainers are perfectly acceptable for less formal occasions. He says pupils in secondary schools still learn dances like the Dashing White Sergeant for the Christmas dance, albeit in smaller numbers and the society is working hard to ensure the tradition continues. Earlier this year, a university society that promotes Scottish country dancing came under fire for insisting that only male and female pairs can attend its "highly esteemed Martinmas and Candlemass reeling balls" at Fingask Castle. The St Andrews Caledonian Society - dubbed CalSoc, was accused of promoting a discriminatory policy and a "dust-covered" relic on a bygone era. Mr Williamson says inclusivity is at the heart of the SCDS. "It wasn't a case of changing any rules, it's always been inclusive," he says. "People can dance on any side of the dance they want. "Our main thrust now is to look ahead," he added. "Almost think, like they did after the First World War, we've got to think, how do we make this relevant in 2023 because it is such a wonderful pastime." He says ceilidh dancing has huge benefits for older people, physically and cognitively. "We have got people dancing in their nineties and it keeps them fit and healthy," says the society's chair. "There is a huge benefit, both physically and mentally, remembering all the dances. "I was at a dance event recently and there were 22 dances in the programme and there were people in their eighties dancing every single dance. "It's kept them fit, it's kept them sharp. Various universities have looked at this and have said that it's one of the best all-round regimes there is." He says that while membership is growing, with 10,000 world-wide the society is looking at how it can boost numbers in some areas of Scotland where country dancing " doesn't do so well". We are training teachers all the time," he says. "The university groups are doing well again so that's encouraging." Malin Altenmüller 29, has danced for most of her life in her home country of Germany, where traditional Scottish dancing is popular. She is now a member of the Glasgow Society, after moving to the city in 2016 to study at Strathclyde University as part of the Erasmus programme. "There is a real community in Germany," she says. "and when I came here it seemed like a good opportunity to meet people. She acknowledges that it's a very different thing to be forced into country dancing at school and choosing to do it for pleasure as an adult. "There's a real sense of community and you know you can go dancing anywhere," she says. "I've been on work trips and taken my dance shoes. "Ceilidhs are still really popular and the [branch events] are a really similar atmosphere. "Quite often there is live music, particularly here in Scotland and I enjoy that a lot. It definitely keeps me fit. There's something for every level." Her favourite is the Cranberry Tart. On Sunday, a blue plaque will be unveiled on Buchanan Street to mark the spot where the Society was formed and a flash mob of Scottish country dancers will entertain Christmas shoppers. A civic reception will also be held later at Glasgow City Chambers. "We've weathered the storm," says the Society's leader. "Various fashions have come and gone like line dancing but we are still there." The 100-year-old Glasgow institution that reels in millions for Scotland RSCDS BANFFSHIRE BRANCH CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING 1923 TO 2023 Celebrating 100 Years of RSCDS Scottish country dancers from around the world came together on Saturday 25th March to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society with a Centenary Ball at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. Dr Anne McArthur, life member of RSCDS Banffshire Branch attended the event Please find report below Author Dr Anne McArthur Chair E lect, Gary Coull, RSCDS Banffshire member along with Dr Anne McArthur life member of RSCDS Banffshire Branch All set, ready to Dance! It was back in 1973, as a young dancer, I participated in the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the RSCDS. Miss Milligan's Strathspey, Mrs Stewart of Fasnacloich, and the Jubilee Jig were published. The AGM was in Glasgow, in three venues across the city, a red dress, every dance on the programme tackled. (There were no recaps then.). I remember wondering if I would be around for the 100th Anniversary. When word came out that the Centenary Celebration was to be in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh I was at the front of the queue to get a ticket. I had danced many times there and had wonderful memories of mirrors, chandeliers, walking between the Assembly Rooms and Music Room. Of course, it was mostly about meeting friends and talking about dancing. Gary and I were the only Banffshire members present on the 25th March, Gary officiating and me reminiscing. Over 400 people attended the event from all over the world. I was pleased to see many young people, with more than one I had taught at Junior Summer School, but I missed my friends of days gone bye. A gift and a celebratory programme were handed out on entry. Prosecco and cake was provided at half time. David Oswald and friends were 'on fire' in the Assembly Room while Marian Anderson's band was more sedate in the Music Room. The programme was a great mix of old and new. It was a night to remember. Headquarters opened for members on the 25th. There was a wonder display of archival material. I remember Miss Milligan, Miss Ross with her knitting, Miss Florence Adams, Miss Hadden, Mrs Dunn, Miss Anderson, Colonel Gibson etc etc. You might recognise dances named after them. RSCDS Edinburgh ran events over the weekend. My friends and I attended a great dance in St Cuthberts Church on the Friday night. Ewan Galloway was in great form. For me, the 'Jewel' of weekend was the Centenary Concert in the Canongate Church. Muriel Johnstone, Pete Clark, Peter Shand and Tim Macdonald delighted a large audience with an amazing programme of Scottish music linked to the dances we know. It truly touched my soul. 'A really good dance lives, flows and becomes a part of the music. You see, the music really comes first. The dance, mostly, should be written to the music. You therefore get that lovely combination of music and movement which I consider dancing.' (Miss Jean C. Milligan, interview, 1970s) Life long member John Grant, Buckie enjoying a dram of the Centenary Whisky Celebrating 100 Years of Scottish Country Dancing Fasnacloich aged for 10 Years John and his wife Pat had a visit from Mo Rutherford and Neil Copland who are well known in the Scottish Country Dance music circuit. Back row: Pat Grant, Neil Copland John Grant (seated) To purchase the Fasnacloich Whisky visit the RSCDS shop here Banffshire Branch Sunday 7th May RSCDS Centenary Celebration What a super afternoon we had at the Church Centre, Portsoy, dancing to the excellent music played by Frank Thomson. The Banffshire Branch celebrated the RSCDS Centenary by having their Classes with a Difference programme based on the 'Dances through the Decades' produced by the Society. As the Church Centre was also providing refreshments for the Portsoy Coronation celebrations, the community coming in for their cuppa were able to enjoy watching the dancing from the tables set at the back of the hall. The afternoon started with the cutting of the cake by Banffshire Branch life members John Grant (life member 1954) and Dr Anne McArthur. John & wife Pat were then able to sit back & enjoy the music and a blether, sharing the many memories of their dancing days. The Branch AGM was held prior to the dancing and we were delighted to be joined by RSCDS Chair-elect Gary Coull who officiated at the meeting. A big thank you to the outgoing committee for all the hard work done in organising the Branch events throughout the previous year and welcome to our new volunteers filling the role of Chair (Alice Archibald), Vice chair (Liz Bulloch) and Secretary (Linda Thomas); thank you to Mavis Mcdonald for agreeing to continue as Treasurer. Following the meeting, we were pleased to welcome Mr Vinay Ruparelia, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, who presented the Branch with a letter from Buckingham Palace appreciating the efforts to organise an event to celebrate the Coronation. Frank Thomson provided excellent music to accompany our dances, and these were interspersed with some well-known ceilidh dances which encouraged some of our audience who had just come in for a tea & cake, to join us on the dancefloor. It was a fantastic afternoon and all too soon we were joining hands and singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’. Thanks to Anne for calling the dances, Frank for the super music, Mr Vinay Ruparelia for opening the afternoon, & Gary for officiating And special thanks to Anne and Liz for all their hard work behind the scenes to get everything organised and running smoothly on the day. Dianna Baillie (Chair Person May 2022 to May 2023). Cutting the cake Chair Dianna Baillie, John Grant life member and Dr Anne McArthur life member

RSCDS Banffshire Branch The RSCDS Banffshire Branch had a great afternoon of Scottish Country Dancing at the Portsoy Boat festival on the afternoon of Saturday 1st July 2023. Linda Thomas started off the afternoon with the Circassian Circle an 'easy peasy' dance that everyone was able to join in with. We had a selection of Scottish Country Dances along with some Ceilidh dancing. We had lots of enthusiastic dancers of all ages on the floor having fun! If you are interested in joining a Scottish Country Dance class Check out a dance class in your area Dance classes Videos can be found here

DANCING CLASSES 2022 - 2023 All classes are held weekly In adverse weather conditions, please check with contact person for the class you attend MONDAY CLASSES BUCKIE dance class information can be found here MACDUFF dance class information can be found here TUESDAY CLASSES DUFFTOWN dance class information can be found here MILTONDUFF dance class information can be found here MOSSTODLOCH dance class information found here TURRIFF dance class information can be found here WEDNESDAY CLASSES FOCHABERS dance class information can be found here HUNTLY dance class information can be found here MULBEN dance class information can be found here THURSDAY CLASSES FORGLEN, TURRIFF dance Class information found here KEITH dance class information can be found here SPEY BAY dance class information can be found here FRIDAY (afternoon class) FRASERBURGH dance class information can be found here

RSCDS Banffshire Branch at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy, Saturday 18th June 2022 A fun day was had at the Portsoy Boat Festival when members and friends of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch got together to promote Scottish Country Dancing. Enthusiastic members of the audience joined in the dancing and enjoyed themselves. Promotional leaflets for Banffshire SCD classes were given out to the audience and we had lots of positive feedback. Please contact the Secretary at rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com if you want further information about classes in and around Banffshire. Linda Thomas, RSCDS Banffshire Branch member called the dances and kept everyone on their toes. Thanks to Linda for organising this event. Audience participation in dancing Pudsey Bear, Scottish Country Dance Click here for you tube video Celebrating Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Invitation to Service of Thanksgiving The RSCDS Banffshire Branch received an invite to attend a special service of Thanksgiving from the Buchan Presbytery to mark this significant occasion. A special service was held on Sunday 29th May in St Ninian’s and Forglen Church, Turriff. Over the seventy years of her reign, HM The Queen has actively supported many charities and professional groups. These cover all areas of national life. Alice Archibald and Linda Thomas, members of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch, represented the branch at the Service of Thanksgiving. Alice Archibald read out the following message at the service. The message was selected by Her Majesty the Queen In 2011, the Queen said: “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) - but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.” Annual Branch Dance - Friday 12th November 2021 The Banffshire Branch Dance on 12th November was held at Keith this year, and despite the restrictions imposed by covid (limited numbers, lots of hand gelling, bring-your-own refreshments), it was a super evening. We had fantastic music to dance to thanks to Ewan Galloway and fellow musicians Shona MacFadyen on fiddle & Graham Sherrit on drums; we have enjoyed their music on pod-casts throughout lockdown, and listening to their CD ‘A the best again far Banffshire’, but wasn’t it just great to be dancing ‘live’ again. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening was had by all - risk assessments, devising a lovely programme of dances, the callers, organisers & donations of raffle prizes, catering for the band - a big thank you to everyone involved. Looking forward to meeting up again on the dance floor soon Happy dancing Dianna Report by Dianna Baillie, Chair of RSCDS Banffshire 2021 Ewan Galloway dance band November 2021 Ewan Galloway Scottish Dance band Annual Branch dance 12th November 2021 Annual Branch Dance 2021 Annual Branch Dance 2021 More dancing to wonderful music Ewan Galloway dance band November 2021 Ewan Galloway Scottish Dance band 1/11 Ladies of Banffshire at the Autumn Gathering 2021 I’m a paragraph. Double click me or click Edit Text, it's easy. Given that the Bells Sports Centre in Perth has capacity for over 500 dancers, the task of decorating it for the Autumn Gathering weekend is not to be undertaken lightly. However, members of Banffshire Branch have customarily performed this duty, arriving early in order to create an ambiance appropriate for the occasion, using countless yards of RSCDS tartan supplied by Headquarters. As with dancing, success is a result of teamwork and many hands working together! When thanks are extended to volunteer helpers for their efforts, "the ladies of Banffshire" always receive a mention, the presence of one or two Banffshire men invariably being overlooked, hence the title of Bob Taylor's dance. This photo shows the ladies of Banffshire looking resplendent in advance of the Saturday night ball at the 2021 Autumn Gathering. Report by Alison Smith RSCDS Teacher and member of RSCDS Banffshire The Banffshrire Branch had their first outdoor 'Return to Dancing' event at the Sail Loft, Portsoy on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon on July 25th. The event was welcomed by all the dancers. The committee therefore, planned another outdoor event on 22 August 2021. Again the weather held for us Happy Dancers! Happy to chat to fellow dancers. Enjoying the sunshine Happy to be dancing once again! Gordon & Liz, Dianna & Alistair Ive got my hand gel at the ready! Gordon & Liz with visitor Jim Stott Return to dancing Sunday 25 July 2021 RSCDS Banffshire - Return to dancing, outdoor event. Chairperson and Secretary Our chair person, Dianna Baillie and Liz Bulloch ready to kick start the event. Beautiful sunshine Lots of happy dancers on the green at the Sail Loft Portsoy Return to dancing Sunday 25 July 2021 RSCDS Banffshire - Return to dancing, outdoor event. 1/12 The Sail Loft, Portsoy Sunday 25th July 2021 Banffshire Branch organised an outdoor return to dancing event on the 25th of July. It took place outside the Sail Loft, Portsoy, on a beautiful sunny day. We had a fantastic afternoon of dance, starting off with a warm up session led by Anne Taylor, 3 sets of dancers then followed a super programme led by Anne McArthur and Alison Smith, easing us gently back into dancing again with a mix of familiar & old favourites (including EH37AF, Maxwell’s Rant & Mairi’s Wedding) and some newer dances (Portsoy Links and The Speyside Way from our 90th anniversaries book "A’ The Best Again Fae Banffshire"). Our Secretary and Covid Officer Liz Bulloch, ensured safety guidelines were in place and being followed. It was just wonderful to be able to meet up and dance together again. As can be seen from the photos, we couldn’t have been happier and can’t wait for the next one. Article in the Scottish Dance Magazine, October 2021 issue by Chair, Dianna Baillie Liz Bulloch and Frank Thomson at The Sail Loft Portsoy Outdoor event at the Sail Loft Portsoy on Sunday 22 August 2021. The music was provided by Frank Thomson. Beautiful view from the Sail Loft, Portsoy The dancing event was held at the Sail Loft, Portsoy. A beautiful sunny day with the seascape as our backdrop More happy dancers Everyone enjoyed the day and the lovely music. Liz Bulloch and Frank Thomson at The Sail Loft Portsoy Outdoor event at the Sail Loft Portsoy on Sunday 22 August 2021. The music was provided by Frank Thomson. 1/8 Geof Nuttall with his daughters Claire and Celia at the ceremony along with Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, Alistair Mason and Julian Watson from the Museum of Banff. Banff Museum Exhibition - display of RSCDS Banffshre archives The Branch was contacted by Alistair Mason earlier this year to advise that the family of Jean Nuttall (born and brought up in Banff) wanted to donate money to the Museum after having been shown around the museum last year by Alistair. Alistair is also a member of the Preservation and Heritage Society. Jean was a keen Scottish Country Dancer and loved everything Scottish. Anne McArthur and Alistair pulled together the exhibition using the Banffshire archives and display boards. Cabinets were purchased with the donation and a wonderful display has been put together. The opening of the display was held on Wednesday 18th. Anne McArthur along with Alistair and Pat Lemmon (family friend) the Chair of our Branch, Dianna Baillie and myself were all sent an invite to the opening. The cabinet has several drawers full of archives from photographs to newspaper articles and programmes and menus from past social functions. The Banffshire Journal has an article on the opening where you can find the full story. Alistair is a volunteer at the Museum. If you are planning a visit it would be an idea to check if Alistair is on duty. Alistair will send me his rota in due course and I will pass it on to members. Liz 17th July Summer Social at The Sail Loft, Portsoy Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site. Explore

RSCDS Banffshire Committee 2024-2025 Committee Office Bearers May 2024 to May 2025 Chairperson Alice Archibald Vice Chair Liz Bulloch Secretary Linda Thomas contact by phone 07928401233 Treasurer Mavis Macdonald Please email Email: rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com for further information regarding the dance classes, social events, membership RSCDS Banffshire Committee 2024-2025 To join the RSCDS Banffshire branch A range of subscriptions available: 1st July 2024 to 30 June 2025 check out the form below for further information of membership fees and benefits To find out more about membership, please visit Membership information found here Membership form 24/25

BRANCH NEWS APRIL 2023 The first of the ‘Classes with a Difference’ by Alice Archibald 02 April 2023 in the Institute Hall, Portsoy Report by RSCDS Teacher: Alice Archibald I decided that I had to check out all the 15 books of dances devised by John Drewry a former Lecturer at Aberdeen University and to make some of the formations he devised the subject of the Class with a Difference. These formations have been used by many devisers of dances. I did not have time to do a dance with Set and Rotate, Half Turn and Twirl and La Barratte. I started the Class with the dance Glayva, a jig, that was devised in 1977 with the new progression The Espagnole and then I did the dance The Kenora Reel with Petronella in Tandem. In The Bon Accord Book, published in 1968 is the dance The Silver Tessie which contained the new progression which was named by Miss Jean Milligan, Rondell The Courage Reel published in 1977 and containing the new formation Dance to Each Corner and Set! I had first encountered this formation in Gothenburg’s Welcome published in RSCDS Book 37.I then did The Lantern of the North, a jig, which contained the formation Pass and Turn with Corners. I had no idea that this formation which is in a lot of modern dances had been devised by John. The next dance was the reel, Ferla Mor [or the Big Grey Man) which contained tandem reels and having been published in1981 was certainly the first use of Tandem Reels I have encountered. The strathspey, Cherrybank Gardens, which contains the formation Petronella in Tandem. The last dance of the afternoon was Mrs McPherson of Inveran a lively reel and a dance which is fairly common on dance programmes locally which finishes with a circle which I particularly wanted to end the afternoon. I felt it was a successful afternoon and all enjoyed the programme I had prepared. I think it was a fun programme. A thank you message from Dianna Baillie, Chair of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch A big thanks to Alice for leading us through a very enjoyable dance class on Sunday. The theme for the afternoon was that of formations which first appeared in John Drewry dances - Espagnole, Petronella in tandem, Dance to each corner & set, Corners pass and turn, & Tandem reels were included in the dances Glayva, Kenora Reel, Silver Tassie, The Courage Reel, Lantern of the North, Cherrybank Gardens, Ferla Mor and Mrs McPherson of Inveran. All lovely dances & interesting to hear the story behind them. Looking forward to the next one on 5th May Check out Celebrating 100 Years of Scottish Country Dancing on our Centenary page here Dianna 'Class with a Difference' 4th June 2023 Report by Isobel Turner First dance was "The Queensferry crossing", devised by Moira Stephen from the Dunfermline 90th anniversary book, a 4 x 32 bar jig; simple but slightly unusual progression from 1st to 3rd place at the start with an allemande later to finish 2 3 4 1. Next was "The triumph", a 24 bar reel from Book 1 so tying in with the centenary - lead down and up with a twist (and some extra ones not in the instructions!) and very unusual 1-couple poussette from 1st to 4th place. "Mary Hamilton" is a 4 x 32 strathspey from John Drewry's Canadian book; simple progression in last 8 bars (set advancing to pass facing couple) but unusual start and finish to grand chain bars 1-8. I think we then did "Ready aye ready" from Ewan Galloway's "Ship ahoy!" booklet, devised by Sarah Horne (and Judy Grimsey?), a 5 x 32 reel (square set with 5th couple in the centre). Again, a simple progression 5th and 1st couples in promenade hold passing by right, the 1st and 4th couples passing and so on till 2nd couple are in the centre to start again but a new dance to most. We also did "Fare thee well", a 3 x 40 strathspey from "Tom's book of dances", devised by Tom Kerr (Capetown), ending with "untying the knot", which I think was a new progression for all of us. I did have another dance from a Ewan Galloway booklet, "Sarah's stamp party" but we didn't get round to that one (I always have more ready than we can actually do - it gives flexibility depending on numbers, ability, etc.) Report by Anne Taylor The theme for the afternoon was 'Progressions'. I began with a well known dance from RSCDS Book 49, The Countess of Dunmore’s Reel which has the Promenade Chaperon Chain. My second dance was The Athenaeum by Alistair Brown of the Glasgow Branch from the Glasgow 100th Anniversary book. This had the Rose Progression in the dance and it posed a little problem but we made it to finish the dance. My next dance had more local connections – The Blacksmith of Elgin from the Imperial Book. Wendy West thought that the Blacksmith of Elgin was her Grandfather. This dance has a Snowball Grand Chain and was well received. Salinas Grandes from the Argentinian Collection 2020 by Jim Stott was my next offering. This contained an unusual figure of a Promenade Pass which is just like a Promenade for 3 couples but has a slight twist in its tail. I would have liked to do a couple more dances but time was running out and we had to finish. All the dancers said it had been a good day and quite a challenge which is what it is meant to be. Anne Taylor 21 January 2024 Class with a Difference By Anne Taylor and Dianna Baillie A brief lull between severe weather warnings (the snow had disappeared overnight & storm Isha wasn’t due till evening) meant the class at Spey Bay was good to go. Anne & Dianna took it turn about to teach the dances (which all had ‘New’ in the title, as it was the first class of the New Year). We started off with ‘The New Forest Circle’ (New Forest SCD) as a warm up, then Newburgh Jig (Bk48). Anne took us through New Abbey (Roy Goldring) where we were encouraged to cover across all the sets and New Amsterdam (Chris Ronald, Big Apple Coll.) had a couple of new formations there to challenge us - a very enjoyable dance once we got it. The Newholme Jig (Ian Barbour, Magic Medicine), followed by ‘A Guid New Year’ (Maggie & Duncan Keppie) taught by Dianna and Anne finished off with ‘Ways in New Hall’ (Bk42) then ‘The New Opera’ (John Drewry, Australia Bk.) Ladies’ Chain, Espagnole, Set and Rotate, Rondel. The new ones - Celtic Cross Progression, Swing Corners and a modified Corners Pass and Turn (half turn & twirl instead of Turn) were formations covered. A very enjoyable afternoon had by all and can’t wait to see what Bill and Rosemary have in store for us next month.

Balmoral Visit Our most exciting event was in 2009 when the members of the branch travelled to Balmoral to dance for the Queen and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. We were greatly honoured when Her Majesty the Queen kindly invited us to dance for her to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the formation of our Branch. We decided to perform some dances from our 75th Anniversary Book because these dances are all devised by Banffshire Branch members and/or are inspired by a Banffshire connection. The event needed live music and Colin Dewar and his Band (who recorded our 75th Anniversary CD) were happy and able to fit us (and Her Majesty) into their crowded schedule. On Tuesday, 11th August at midday about 40 Branch members and 16 children from local schools crowded onto the coach in Keith. On arriving at Balmoral we all had our photo ID's checked (passports, driving licences, bus passes, etc.) before proceeding to the tea room where we were to perform. We received a friendly greeting from Clare Russell, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire. The area for dancing was slightly less than we expected, so we decided to abandon the children's static display during 'We've nae Electric'. We got ready and put on our dancing shoes while the Band finished setting up and we had a quick practice of walking on and off (always more difficult than the actual dancing!) while the Band were changing out of 'just do it' tee-shirts into something slightly more suitable for the occasion. The Dancers and the Band then had a practice. After the practice, with just a few minutes to go we all stood, puffing and hearts beating, in our sets ready for Findlater Castle, waiting for Her Majesty. When she arrived (with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie), our Chairman, Gary Coull, gave a short introductory speech and the music and dancing started. Our programme: Findlater Castle Compliments to Jessie Bain The Homecoming Dance - children The Hills of Alba Gourdieburn Round Reel of Eight - children We've nae Electric The dancing and the music all went well, with nothing worse than the occasional hesitation or poorly-pointed foot (hopefully, She didn't notice!) Her Majesty and the two Princesses appeared to be very happy with our performance. Toe-tapping was observed! Mrs. Jean Mair devisor of 'Compliments to Jessie Bain' presented Her Majesty with Banffshire Branch CDs and dance books. The Royal party then spent a considerable time walking amongst us, talking with us and asking questions. Her Majesty even asked what the floor was like to dance on. (It was hard but not slippery.) We were treated to tea and biscuits and had plenty of time to chatter before piling back onto the coach to return to Keith. It was a highly successful event and, after having danced for the Queen, we are left wondering - what can we do next? .

Scottish Country dance class Mosstodloch Tuesday evening dance class Mosstodloch Speymouth Hall 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm NEW SESSION 17th September 2024 to 3rd December 2024 2025 7th January 2025 to 25th March 2025 Contact Isobel by phone click here For further information please contact Isobel Turner or Dianna Baillie Scottish Country Dancing is Fun, Fitness, Friendship Suitable for everyone Contact Dianna by phone click here Speymouth Hall, click here

RSCDS BANFFSHIRE BRANCH 80TH ANNIVERSARY 80th Annversary Dance in Buckie The Banffshire Branch Annual Dance on 13th November at the Fisherman's Hall in Buckie was rather special. The evening started with a drinks reception, giving plenty of time to catch up on news and gossip while, behind the scenes, there was some 'fighting with technology' before the 'slide-show' of the dancing at Balmoral could be enjoyed by all. The dance was very well attended by dancers from far and wide. As befits the Occasion, there were speeches, cake-cutting, a surprise presentation and press photographs. When the formalities had been completed and the dancing started, the music was ably provided by Colin Dewar and his band. Cutting the celebration cake is Jessie Stuart, Jean Mair and Anne McArthur at the 80th Anniversary Dance Anne McArthur presentation for the Branch Award 2009 Anne McArthur receiving her Branch Award in 2009 presented by RSCDS Chairman Alistair McFadyen Branch Award Presentation Amongst those present were RSCDS President Alistair McFayden and RSCDS Chairman - elect Ruth Beattie. Anne McArthur was honoured (and astounded) to receive a branch Award. Banffshire Branch Chairman, Gary Coull, read out the Citation and the award was presented by RSCDS President Alistair Mc Fadyen. A Branch award is not achieved easily. It is given in recognition of an extended period of dedication and commitment to the Branch and to Scottish Country Dancing. Other award holders are Jean Mair, Pat Lemmon, Jessie Stuart and Betty & Walter Rutherford. Everybody agreed that Anne well deserved her Award. She is a former Chairman of the Branch and the Secretary at the time of the Award. She was the driving force in the production of our 75th Anniversary Dance Book and the subsequent CD. she has spent many years teaching and encouraging children and adults. Anne's quiet hard work and dedication has put Banffshire on the RSCDS map.

Children's Resources The Banffshire Branch has a history of working with children and young people in the local schools . As part o f the 90th anniversary celebrations young people were involved in four days of dance across the Shire. This is a book of dances some written by pupils as part of their work towards RSCDS accreditation, each with an original tune and some resources for young people about the Country, called Banffshire. Frank Thomson recorded music for each of the dances in the 90th Anniversary package for children and young people. Frank was heavily involved in producing the music for the 90th Anniversary dances for children. Frank was also involved in recording and composing 'The Millbank Reel' for the 90th Anniversary dance book and CD.A big thank you to Frank for all he contributes to the Banffshire Branch 1. Highland Games 32-bar jig for four couples in a four couple longwise set 2. The Flying Dolphins 32-bar jig in a square set 3. The Ship of Dreams 32-bar hornpipe for four couples in a four couples longwise set 4. Morrai Jig 32-bar jig for four couples in a four couple longwise set 5. Rothes Castle 32-bar reel in a square set 6. Mosstowie Medley 32-bar strathspey and reel for four couples in a four couple longwise set 7. The Bonnie Viaducts of Cullen 32-bar jig for four couples in a four couple longwise set 8. The Schools Woods 32-bar jig for three couples in a three couple longwise set Highland Games Flying Dolphins Ship of Dreams Morrai Jig Mosstowie Medley Mosstowie Medley V2 Bonnie Viaducts of Cullen School Woods Rothes Castle To Purchase the 90th Anniversary book for Children and Young People The pack costs £6.00 plus post and package UK £1.50 EU £4.50 world £6.00 to order by post: Please send a cheque made payable to RSCDS BANFFSHIRE for the appropriate amount to Dr Anne McArthur 24 Aird Street Portsoy Aberdeenshire AB45 2 RB SCOTLAND Please click email link for further information or help Mail