Link to Banffshire Branch Events DANCE DIARY 2024/2025 DECEMBER 2024 RSCDS Aberdeen Branch Christmas dance Ashdale Hall, WESTHILL Friday 13 December 2024 8 PM Dancing to Neil Galloway CRIB CAN BE FOUND HERE Link to video dances can be found here RSCDS Forres Branch dance FORRES TOWN HALL Friday 27th December 2024 7.30pm to 11 pm £12.00 Dancing to Frank Thomson and his Scottish Country Dance Band Crib found here MARCH 2025 Miltonduff Xmas Party, 17th December, 7.30-10pm, CDs, Free Entry, Light Supper, bring a cup. (prog tba) Miltonduff SCD website can be found here JANUARY 2025 No dances notified FEBRUARY 2025 Forres RSCDS Nairn Community and Arts Centre 7th February 2025 Fundraising Dance for Nairn Community and Arts Centre £12 Light Supper, Raffle Please bring your own cup Susie Simpson Duo 7.30-10.30pm CRIB can be found here SCDDB link https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/55137/ Buckie Rally Friday 7th March 2025 8 pm to midnight Fishermen's Hall Buckie Dancing to Colin Donaldson More details to follow RSCDS PETERHEAD BRANCH ANNUAL DANCE Longside Church Hall Sunday 16th March 2025 2pm to 4.30 pm £10 Dancer Spectators welcome at £3.00 Dancing to Scott Band Tea & Raffle CRIB (tree friendly) CRIB (eye friendly ) Programme Videos of the dances found her e Please bring your own cup In times of adverse weather, please check with organiser regarding the event going ahead Contacts found here SAVE THE DATE Details can be found here 15 JUNE 2025 IN THE VICTORIA HALL ELLON 2pm to 4.30 pm £10 dancer (please bring your own cup) £5 for spectators All WELCOME Scottish Country dancing to music by SCOTT BAND JUNE 2025 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

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 New term: 2pm to 3.30 pm Teacher Dr Anne McArthur. 2024 dates Friday 27th September 2024 to Friday 13th December 2024 2025 Session Friday 10th January 2025 to 28th March 2025 All Welcome Dalrymple Hall, Fraserburgh - click here

The History of RSCDS Banffshire Branch Established 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 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. 75th Anniversary CD & Dance book here Children Resources here Publications - 90th Anniversary CD & Dance book here

July News - St Andrews Summer School 2023 Wendy West Banffshire Branch member along with Chair of the RSCDS William Williamson and his wife Linda Banffshire Branch members Gordon & Liz Bulloch This year the RSCDS Summer School held in St Andrews University celebrated 90 Years of the Summer School. Wendy West, RSCDS Banffshire Branch member along with the youngest attendee (Douglas MacIntosh) at Summer School were selected to cut the 90th Annviersary celebration cake at the end of week 4. Douglas was attending Summer School for the second time and at the age of 13 years, was the youngest person in week 4. Wendy West, although not the oldest person has attended Summer School since the age of 10 years. Wendy accompanied her mother to Summer School but was not allowed to dance - one had to be 18 years old back then. She was not even allowed to stay with her mother, having to board elsewhere in the town. At the age of 18 years when legitimately able to go to Summer School , she was too busy playing tennis! Here are some of the celebratory photos taken at the 90th Anniverary afternoon tea. Jim Stott, Director along with Sue Porter provided the 90th Anniversary cake. The University provided the afternoon tea. A wonderful afternoon had by all. Everyone turned up in their 'glad rags' to enjoy this special occasion. Chair, William Williamson and Linda Williamson Describe your image 90th Anniversary cake Describe your image Gordon , Liz Bulloch, William & Linda and Wendy West Describe your image Chair, William Williamson and Linda Williamson Describe your image 1/5

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

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? .

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

Autumn/Winter news 2024 Classes with a Difference Come and join us Interested find out more details click here 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.

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 New session 2024 16th September 2024 to 2nd December 2024 6th January 2025 to 31 March 2025 Contact Isobel by email click here

Scottish Country dance class, Keith Contact Kate by phone, click here Kate Strathdee, RSCDS Teacher Centre front Keith Scottish Country dance Class St Rufus Church Hall, Keith New Session 2024 Thursday 19th September to Thursday 12th December 2.024 2025 Session Thursday 9th January 2025 to Thursday 3rd April 2025 St Rufus Church hall

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 Scottish Country Dance classes Resume September 11/09/2024 Follow us on FACEBOOK 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm The Linden centre, Huntly - click here

Summer Socials 2025 Miltonduff Summer Socials 2025 Summer Social held in Forres Town Hall Monday 12th May 7.30 -10.30pm Monday 9th June Monday 14th July Monday 11th August Further info on the above nearer the time. Miltonduff SCD website can be found here