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

RSCDSBanffshire Branch news June 2022 RSCDS BANFFSHIRE BRANCH SUMMER SOCIAL AT THE SAIL LOFT PORTSO Y A lovely afternoon of Scottish Country dancing was enjoyed by members of the Banffshire Branch and fellow dancers and friends on Sunday. 17th July and Sunday 21 August. Frank Thomson our musician played some fantastic tunes to set dances. Our callers Isobel Turner, Linda Thomas and Anne McArthur provided the dancers with a recap and a nice programme of well known dances was enjoyed by everyone. You can find the videos 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.”

Scottish Country Dance class, Huntly Helen Kings and Jason Williamson and Elaine are the contacts for the Huntly class - click on the links below for phone numbers and email addresses. Helen contact by phone contact Helen by email Contact Jason by phone Contact Jason by email Contact Elaine by phone click here Huntly evening class - Wednesday Linden centre, Huntly New session Wedneday 8th January 2025 Follow us on FACEBOOK 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm The Linden centre, Huntly - click here

Celebrating 90 years of dancing RSCDS Banffshire Branch publications page 90th Annviersary dance book 90th anniversary CD 90th Anniversary dance book and CD Contents of book can be found here How to purchase a CD for £10 plus free book To order By post Send a cheque made payable to RSCDS Banffshire for the appropriate amount to Dr Anne McArthur, 24 Aird Street, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, AB45 2RB Scotland To pay by BACS Sort code: 80 06 66 Account Number 00471060 For postage add the following costs: UK £2.00 EU £4.50 World £6.00

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, Mulben Contact Kate by phone click here Mulben Scottish Country Dance class is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month The class teacher is Kate Strathdee, RSCDS Teacher 2025 Session January 15th 2025 to 16th April 2025

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.

Scottish Country Dance class Buckie Contact Isobel by phone click here Scottish Country Dance Class, Buckie Arradoul SWI Hall, Buckie Isobel Turner, RSCDS Teacher The class is a social dance class for all mixed abilities, all ages. Everyone is welcome Scottish Country Dancing Fun Fitness and Friendship! Monday evening dance class Arradoul SWR Hall Buckie 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm 6th January 2025 to 31 March 2025 Contact Isobel by email click here

RSCDS 80th Anniversary Fishermans hall, Buckie RSCDS Banffshire 80th Anniversary dance 80th Anniversary of the Banffshire Branch 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 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. Group photograph and On with the dancing celebrating 80 years of dancing for RSCDS Banffshire Branch

Day School and Evening dance with guest RSCDS Teacher Angela Young and musician Scott Band Day School and Evening Dance with guest RSCDS Teacher Angela Young on Saturday 22 March 2025 Link to Branch Events/Calendar Link to Dance Diary Link to Summer Socials To book your place Angela Young Guest Teacher Angela Young was born and brought up in Aberdeen, Scotland, and grew up surrounded by music & dance – taking lessons from the age of 4, going on to study Music at Aberdeen University. Moving to London to work with the BBC, Angela quickly became involved playing for branch classes and went on to teach both adults’ and children’s classes for the RSCDS London Branch, including the London Demonstration Team. Now back in Scotland, Angela has most recently been teaching for the St Andrews Branch. As well as teaching day and weekend schools in the UK and Europe, she has taught at the RSCDS Summer and Winter Schools, at weekend schools in Toronto & Asilomar, and TAC and New Zealand Summer Schools. Training teams for Festivals and Competitions across the UK, Angela has also choreographed displays for a variety of events and spaces, including London’s Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall. She has adjudicated at various festivals including the Newcastle Festival in 2024 and is looking forward to going back there in February 2025. As a musician she has played regularly at the RSCDS Summer School in St Andrews since the age of 18, as well as being one of the Directors for the Music Courses. Most recently Angela has just completed her term as RSCDS Membership Services Convenor and was proud to lead the team on the centenary publication for the Society, RSCDS Book 53 in 2023. Away from dancing Angela is a Children’s Television Producer having created animation series and arts specials including Ballet, Proms and Shakespeare productions for preschoolers! To book your place for Saturday 22 March General class starts 2pm to 4.30 pm with live music provided by Scott Band Evening dance starts at 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm programme can be found here Music provided by Scott Band duo Costs for both £15.00 payable by BACS Mail To book Email rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com (advise of name and contact phone number) and the following information: General Class & Evening dance - Cost £15.00 General Class ONLY 2pm to 4.30 pm Cost - £5.00 Dance only £10. ( we welcome dancers on the night and pay at the door) BACS DETAILS RSCDS Banffshire Branch Sort Code 80 06 66 Account Number 00471060 What you need to know: Tea , coffee, juice and biscuits will be available for the general class at the interval. The evening dance - A light supper will be served at the interval (sandwiches, quiches and biscuits) For those attending both classes: The church centre has a 'supper room' that will be set up for those who wish to take their own tea, snack, light dinner. Changing rooms will also be available. There will be tea, coffee and juice available throughout the day for those attending both classes. Please bring your own cup Available in Portsoy within easy walking distance: Aspire Restaurant - details can be found here Hook , line and Sinker fish and chips found here The Station Hotel, Portsoy can be found here Please contact our Secretary Linda by email if you need clarifcation on any of the above details rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com

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.