link to 75 Years of Scottish Country Dancing book and CD Scottish Country Dancing 1929 to present day Former St Andrew's Hotel Buckie Harbour RSCDS Members 2009 Former St Andrew's Hotel 1/4 link to 90th Annviersary dance book and CD RSCDS Banffshire encourages Scottish Country Dancing throughout the historic county of Banffshire, and its surrounding area of North East Scotland. The Branch has over 40 members, including RSCDS certificated teachers who teach locally, nationally and internationally. The Branch holds an annual dance on the second Friday in November. There are also day schools , dance festivals, special demonstrations and support for local schools with Scottish Country Dancing . In addition, many of the local class groups organise their own 'end of term' and/or annual dance and welcome other dancers to join in. The History of RSCDS Banffshire Branch 1929 to present day Originally formed as the Buckie and District Scottish Country Dance Society at a Public meeting in Buckie on Monday 9th September 1929, the title was changed to the Banffshire Branch at the first Annual General Meeting. Those initial classes in Buckie soon spread when our first Dance Teacher, Mr John Duncan, accompanied by Miss Nen Watson and Mrs Jean Mair, taught classes at Forglen, Marnoch and Cornhill. The tradition has continued for the past 90 plus years. We welcome new members of all ages and abilities Celebrating 90 Years of the Banffshire Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society -CD and Dance book - Visit our 90th Anniversary Webpage To purchase 75th Publications - cli ck here 90th celebration - down the middle and up! 90th celebration photo 90th celebration photo 90th celebration Buckie - Happy dancers RSCDS 90th Anniversary CD_edited.jpg Dance in St Thomas's Hall Keith 12th November 2021 Annual Branch dance 12th November 2021

The annual Branch dance is on Friday 8th November 2024 dancing to Colin Dewar with his Scottish Country Dance band. The programme will be available nearer the time. ​ For social dances throughout the Suimmer months please visit our Summer Social page found here ​ The dance diary holds information about dancing around the country - to find on what is near to you or visiting on holiday, please check out the dance dairy where you will find a link to SCD Events in Scotland Dance Diary click here Summer Socials click here BRANCH ANNUAL DANCE ​ RSCDS Banffshire Branch Annual Dance to be held on ​ Friday 8 November 2024 Fishermans Hall, Buckie 8 pm Dancing To Colin Dewar Scottish Country Dance band £10 per person £5 Spectator ​ Supper at interval (please bring your own cup) Programme to follow

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.”

In times of adverse weather, please check with organiser regarding the event going ahead Con tacts found here MAY 2024 Turriff SCD Social event Friday 10t h May 2024 Baden Powell Centre, Turriff Frank Thomson duo 7.45 pm - 11.45 pm £10 per person £5 Spectators Supper at interval (please bring your own cup) ​ Programme Crib ​ videos here ​ Miltonduff SCD 18th May 2024 Miltonduff SCD Nice and Easy Dance, 7.30-11pm Ian Thomson and the Crynoch Band £10. Supper at interval ​ SCDDB link Miltonduff website Miltonduff Prog 18 May '24 DANCE DIARY RSCDS BANFFSHIRE BRANCH EVENTS FOUND HERE 100 YEARS OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING FOUND HERE JUNE 2024 Jim Stott Dance collection - Charity Dance 2 June 2024 New Inn Hotel, Ellon 2pm to 5 pm Music by Scott Band £10 per person Refreshments and raffle at interval Crib here Full details head over to Jim Stott Dance Collection website Programme AUGUST 2024 Friday 2nd August 2024 Alice & Linda 150th Birthday! SCD Social event Banff Parish Church hall, Banff 8 pm to midnight Dancing to Susie Simpson Duo More details to follow ​ Keith Social Dance St Thomas Church Hall Keith May 24th 2024 8 pm to midnight £10.00 per person £5 Spectators welcome Dancing to Ewan Galloway Programme Crib ​ RSCDS Forres events dance information found here RSCDs Inverness events - dance information found here Miltonduf f SCD events - danc e information found here RSCDS Aberdeen branch dance diary SCD Events Scotland - found here

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. ​

Class with a Difference News February 2024 Estonian Visitors News March 2024 Janury 2024 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 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 February 2024 Estonian Visitors News

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 ​ 2024 Dates 10th January 2024 to 10th April 2024 ​ 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm ​ The Linden centre, Huntly - click here

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

Summer Socials 2022 D ufftown Scottish Country Dance club will be holding Summer Socials on: ​ Tuesday 6th September 2022 ​ Start time 7.30 pm to 10 pm Costs £6.00 includes juice and biscuits Venue: Mortlach memorial Hall, Albert Place, Dufftown, AB55 4AY ​ Dances will be re - capped by Kate Strathdee RSCDS Banffshire Teacher ​ For more details contact Sheila Macdonald on 07929910156 or by email sheilamacdonald67@gmail.com

Scottish Country Dance class Macduff Alice Archibald, RSCDS Teacher I have been an SCD teacher with a class in Macduff since 1994 when I had just gained my Preliminary Certificate at St Andrews Summer School. After I gained my Full Certificate in 1996 I also started teaching the Class at St Ninian’s Church Hall in Turriff on Tuesday nights. I am still teaching both classes although since 2012 the Turriff class has been held in St Andrew’s Church Hall after the other Hall was closed and sold. For further information regarding the Macduff dance class see below Thank you Alice Telephone Alice Monday Evening Class ​ 2024 Session 8th January 2024 to 13th May 2024 Buchan Street Hall (Macduff Pensioners Hall) Buchan Street, MacduffTime: 7.30pm to 9.00 pm Contact Alice Archibald on 01888 563206 Scottish Country dancing Fun, fitness and friendship! ​

Mail 75th Anniversary Dance Book and CD In 2004 the Banffshire Branch of the RSCDS published a Jubilee book of locally inspired dances to celebrate 75 years of Scottish Country Dancing in Banffshire. The book contains 12 dances together with 12 tunes, illustrations and notes. The dances are as follows: Findlater Castle (R8x32) Compliments to Jessie Bain (S4x32) The Birlin' Birkie (J8x32) The braes of Strathlene (S8x32) Travelling to America (R8x40) Gourdieburn (S3x32) The Glenrothes (J4x32) Moranbank (S8x32) We've nae Electric (R5x32) A Glint of Gold (S4x32) The Tripitup Troupe (J8x32) The Hills of Alba (R4x32) You can download a free copy of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch Jubilee Book as a pdf file and save it on your device and/or print it. 75th banffshire_book.pdf A' the best fae Banffshire - 75 Years of Scottish Country Dancing £10 for CD plus post and packing CD Launch 30 June 2006 The CD contains music for all the dances in the book, together with a couple of 'encores' and extra dance sets. The music is perfectly suitable for dances which are not in the book. To order By post Send a cheque made payable to RSCDS Banffshire f or the appropriate amount to Dr Anne McArthur, 24 Aird Street, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, AB45 2RB Scotland ​ T o 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 EMAIL ENQUIRIES CLICK BELOW Mail

Scottish Country Dance class Turriff Contact Alice by phone click here Alice Archibald is the class teacher for the Turriff Scottish Country dance class To find out more about Alice and her experience of Scottish country dancing Click here ​ Tuesday evening dance class St Andrews Parish Church Hall, Turriff 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm 2024 Dates 9th January 2024 to 7th May 2024 ​