RSCDS Banffshire Branch News April 2023 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.

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Miltonduff Scottish Country Dance classes Miltonduff SCD website Contact Miltonduff SCD club A yoga class uses Miltonduff hall before us on a Tuesday. In order to allow time for them all to leave our arrival time has changed and is now 7.30pm. Our classes will be Tuesdays 7.45-9.45pm Summer Socials 2025 - HERE Social dances on a Tuesday will be 8-10.30pm 7th June Summer Social Susie Simpson duo 22nd July Summer Social Ian Thomson duo 19th August Summer Social Susie Simpson duo Dance Diary - HERE 15th April Charity Dance in aid of CLAN CANCER CARE Susie Simpson duo The dance on Saturday 17th May remains at 7.30-11pm David Oswald SCD Band About Our Class Scottish Country Dancing is a great way to cheer yourself up. You quickly forget all your worries when you start to dance. Fully qualified RSCDS teachers Bill and Rosemary will show you the basics in a fun way. Fitness and Fun, make new friends, that's what it's all about We have a refreshment break at half time. Please bring your own cup, it helps reduce the washing up. We meet every Tuesday in the Village hall Miltonduff 7.30 - 9.30pm and the cost is £4 per class Our dancing season runs from September to May.

Scottish Country dance class, Spey Bay Spey Bay Thursday - afternoon class Spey Bay Hall 2.00 till 3.30 pm Teacher Dianna Baillie 18th September 2025 to end date TBC Thursday 8th January 2026 2026 8th January 2026 end date TBC Email address Contact phone number

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Find out what RSCDS Banffshire Branch has planned to keep dancers busy during the Winter months. Our classes with a difference is suitable for everyone to come and join in the fun,fitness and friehship, SCD brings to everyone Autumn/Winter news 2024 Branch Dance 8th November 2024 Celebrating 95th Anniversary Established 1929 to present day The Branch dance was held in the Fisherman's Hall, Buckie on Friday 8th November dancing to Colin Dewar's Scottish Country Dance band. There were 8 sets on the floor with a number of spectators enjoing the music and the dancing. Gary Coull, Chair of the RSCDS and a member of the Banffshire Brnch cut the anniversary cake along with the Chair of the Branch, Alice Archibald. A thank message from Alice Archibald: I just wanted to say thank you to all those who contributed in any way to the very successful night of dancing at Buckie last night. I have not yet heard about the finances, but as far as enjoyment, friendship and energy goes it was a wonderful night. Mavis, thanks to you and your helpers everyone was welcomed with a smile, Anne, the cake was very good and sliced up well. The music was so very clear and crisp and all the callers were very clear and crisp too!! Isobel, the programme was very much up to your usual standard and really enjoyed by all. Linda, the catering was very good and everyone said how much they enjoyed being back to “normal “ dancing conditions. Gary, it was so good to have you there in your official capacity and the Branch feels honoured to have the “Chair” as a member. Thank you all again Alice Archibald Chair of RSCDS Banffshire Branch A link to the videos from the 8th November dance clic k here Photos here 'Being there' Our first of the Branch's Classes with a Difference was held in the Institute Hall Portsoy on Sunday 29th September 2024 Anne McArthur took the class on a trip around the world. The first dance was in memory of Malcolm Brown, 'Links with St Petersburg'. He made many teaching trips to Russia and died recently. It was over Europe and Asia to dance Jim Stott's 'A Trip to Japan' to celebrate a recent dancing school in Kamakura just south of Tokyo. 'A Flight to Melbourn' followed to the cultural city of Australia. Next stop was South Africa to dance 'A Trip to the Drakensbergs' the mountain range that lies on the east coast of SA. A 15 hour flight from Jo'burg took the dancers to Buenos Aires to dance 'Aberdeenshire meets Argentina' while thinking of our Branch's links with our Argentinian friends. It was right up the east coast of the Americas to Boston to go to Pinewoods to dance the 'Pinewoods Reel' from the Centenary Book then it was home to dance 'Anne of Portsoy'. 27th OCTOBER 2024 RSCDS Teacher Kate Strathdee The theme for the class was dance names synonymous with Robert Burns, who in around 1779 as a young man began attending country dancing lessons in Tarbolton. He writes: "In my seventeenth year, to give my manners a brush, I went to a country dancing school. My programme came about while researching the dance Linkumdoddie, devised by John Drewry this was the second dance on my programme.The title of this dance comes from the thatched cottage known as Linkumdoddie referred to in the Willie Wastle – Poem written by Robert Burns in 1792. The other dances on my programme were : TWA SPARKLING EEN (J8x32) 3C (4C set) Iain Boyd The title of this dance, Twa Sparkling Een, comes from The Lass Of Cessnock Banks - Song written by Robert Burns in 1780. CAULD KAIL (M-8x(S16+R16)) 3C (4C set) RSCDS Book 9 Strathspey On a tour of the Highlands around 1787 and arriving in the city of Bon Accord Robbie Burns wrote Cauld Kail In Aberdeen - Song MY SPOUSE NANCY (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Jim Taylor RSCDS Leaflet Dances 22 A song written by Robert Burns in 1792 MY WIFE'S A WINSOME WEE THING (J8x32) 3C (4C set) Tony Moretti Pinewoods Collection 2 A song written by Robert Burns in 1792 THE LEA RIG (S8x32) 2C (4C set) RSCDS Book 21 Robert Burns writes “To Meet thee on the Lea-rig, My ain Kind Dearie” THE DUSTY MILLER (J8x32) 3C (4C set) Border Book Another song written by Robert Burns in 1788.

RSCDSBanffshire, children resource pack, buy online RSCDS Banffshire, publications Music by Frank Thomson/download free at RSCDS Banffshire childrens resources 90th anniversary CD 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

Scottish Country Dance Class, Fraserburgh The Fraserburgh Scottish Country Dance class is a social class where the 'eyes', 'smiles' and 'listening ears' are the key ingredients. The Teacher is Dr Anne McArthur, veteran of the Scottish Country Dance scene having qualified as a teacher in 1972. There is little that hasn't crossed her path in 50 years of teaching. All are welcome Contact by email Contact Anne by email click here Contact Anne by phone, click here Friday afternoon Dance Class Fraserburgh Scottish Country Dance class Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh 2pm to 3.30 pm Teacher Dr Anne McArthur 2025 Session Friday 10th January 2025 to 28th March 2025 All Welcome Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh - click here

80th Anniversary Branch celebrations/RSCDS/Banffshire/Branch 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.

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 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

Scottish Country Dance Summer Socials link to Dance Diary Summer Socials 2025 Link to Branch Events/Calendar

RSCDS Banffshire Branch newspage - see whats new in January 2024 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 Winter News January - March 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