Autumn Gathering November 2024 The 'Ladies of Banffshire' attending the Autumn Gathering in Edinburgh 1st to 3rd November 2024 Gary Coull, Chair of the RSCDS, November 2024 Photograph Anne Taylor, Alice Archibald, Gary Coull, Wendy West, Linda Thomas and Anne McArthur Gary is a Banffshire member Frank Thomson, Musician Frank received the RSCDS 'Scroll of Honour' (nominated by the RSCDS Aberdeen Branch) from William Williamson (outgoing Chair) As Gary would say 'Bosies!!!!!! Congratulations from all at the RSCDS Banffshire Branch

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

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

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

Link to Banffshire Branch Events DANCE DIARY 2024/2025 NOVEMBER 2024 Friday 29th November Mosstodloch Rally 7.30 pm to 11pm Speymouth Hall, Mosstodloch Dancing to Frank Thomson Dancers £10 Spectators £5 Please bring your own cup Light upper will be served Programme here Crib here Videos of the dances here 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 Dane Band JANUARY 2025 MARCH 2025 FEBRUARY 2025 No dances notified No dances notified 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 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

Dance Diary Link Save the Date Day of Dance 22 March 2025 The branch will be holding a Day of Dance followed with an evening dance on 22 March 2025. The event will be held in the Church Centre Portsoy. Angela Young RSCDS Teacher will lead the workshops. Morning and afternoon workshops will be on offer and a social dance in the evening. Music provided by Scott Band. Evening dance - Scott Band - 7.30 pm SAFE THE DATE 22ND MARCH 2025 More information to follow nearer the time Join in ' Dance Around The World' on SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2024 IN THE PORTSOY CHURCH CENTRE, PORTSOY 2PM TO 4 PM ALL WELCOME FREE ENTRY Come and listen to live Scottish Country dance music with Frank Thomson Tea & Biscuits will be served at the interval Raffle tickets will be on sale DANCE AROUND THE WORLD CRIB Eye friendly CRIB Video link here Classes with a Difference SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY 2025 CTI INSTRUCTOR DIANNA BAILLIE Spey Bay Hall, Spey Bay 2pm to 4 pm RSCDS members FREE non members welcome for a small charge of £5 All Welcome SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2025 JOIN LINDA THOMAS Forglen Hall, Forglen, Turriff 2pm to 4 pm RSCDS members FREE non members welcome for a small charge of £5 All Welcome SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2025 RSCDS TEACHER, Isobel Turner Arradoul Hall, Arradoul, Buckie 2pm to 4 pm RSCDS members FREE non members welcome for a small charge of £5 All Welcome

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

Contact details for Publications (Banffshire CD's and Dance Books Contact: Anne McArthur 01261 842474 ............................................................................... Secretary: rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com Contact by phone: Linda Thomas 07928401233 Please contact the Secretary on rscdsbanffshire.gmail.com for enquiries about the Banffshire Branch. Please contact Anne McArthur for publications enquiries: 75th Anniversary publications 90th Anniversary publications

Summer News 2024 Aberdeenshire - Argentina Links Spanish language here Jim Stott's dances : Welcome to Argentina, Aberdeenshire meets Argentina and Salinas Grandes were three of the dances chosen for a South American Event in the Vinery, Banff on Saturday 17th August. This was a celebration of Banff's relationship with Argentina. José de San Martin, the liberator of Argentina from the Spanish met the Duke of Fife at the Battle of Waterloo. He came to Banff in 1824 and was given the Freedom of the Burgh. This weekend celebrated the 200th anniversary of his visit. RSCDS Banffshire's link with the BASC Dancers of Buenos Aires has grown over the last five years with visits to Buenos Aires by Gordon, Liz and Anne and to Banffshire (Aberdeenshire) by Charly, Fernando and Valen. Long may this Aberdeenshire - Argentina connection continue. A second set of dances related to Banffshire: Findlater Castle; The Braes of Strathlene and The Hills of Alba were performed by a group of RSCDS Banffshire Ladies. Report by Anne McArthur RSCDS Banffshire Branch To view the demonstration -click link You Tube Welcome to Argentine Aberdeenshire Meets Argentina Salinas Grandes Jim Stott Dance Collection 2020 Findlater Castle Bill Forbes: Jubilee Book 1929-2004 [Banffshire] The Braes of Strathlene Bill Forbes: Jubilee Book 1929-2004 [Banffshire] The Hills of Alba Bob Taylor: Jubilee Book 1929-2004 [Banffshire] The RSCDS Banffshire Branch Archives - 1929-present day are now safely stored in the Salmon Bothy Loft, Portsoy. If any of our members or friends of RSCDS Banffshire Branch have assets they want to store at the Bothy, please email rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com with the relevant information. Congratulations to Dianna Baillie, Banffshire Branch in succesfully completing her Core Teaching Instructor Certificate (CTI) Photograph Anne Taylor, Branch member presenting Dianna with her Statement of Proficiency certificate on completion of the CTI Course Report by Anne Taylor, RSCDS Banffshire Branch "I had been involved in the planning stage of the Core Training for Instructors (CTI) as Chair of the Education and Training Committee. However, during the latter part of the decision-making, I had to demit this position due to ill health. I then became a Trainer for the CTI course which meant telling dancers about it and then helping them to take part. Dianna Baillie was interested as she had taken over the Fochabers class vacated by Margaret Cowie. I was required to visit Dianna's class and then to report back to her with anything to help her manage her class. Instructors are judged on the ability and style of the class they lead. Social dancing is the main focus in the classes we teach in the Banffshire Branch. Dianna took all comments with grace and understanding and tried to incorporate suggestions into her class. The class were very supportive of Dianna and worked with her along her journey. During this time, I myself became ill and was not always able to visit Dianna's class. But Dianna often came to the Spey Bay afternoon class which I took. I asked her to teach one or two dances during the class and this turned out to be very worthwhile, as Dianna was teaching another class. We did not do much step work but did look at the formations and how to do them." Once Dianna had fulfilled the requirements of the course, a video of her final lesson and her lesson plan were submitted to the RSCDS office in Edinburgh. We are delighted that Dianna was successful and received her Statement of Proficiency as an Instructor of Scottish country danci

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.”

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