RSCDS BANFFSHIRE BRANCH
ESTABLISHED IN 1929
Celebrating 90 Years of the Branch
1929 to present day
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