Cultural & Historic Organization
RSCDS
Scottish country dancing worldwide since 1923
Best For
Scottish country dancers seeking structured progression and community
Overview
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Promotes Scottish country dancing worldwide with standardized technique, exams, and annual gatherings. Active in 40+ countries.
History
The RSCDS was founded in 1923 by Mrs. Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich and Miss Jean Milligan, who were concerned about the decline of traditional Scottish dancing.
The 'Royal' prefix was granted in 1951 by King George VI in recognition of the society's cultural preservation work.
RSCDS standardized the technique and terminology of Scottish country dancing, publishing definitive dance descriptions and teaching manuals.
The society has published thousands of dances in its numbered books and leaflets, preserving both traditional dances and encouraging new compositions.
Today, RSCDS has branches in over 40 countries, making it one of the most globally distributed dance organizations.
Annual Summer School in St. Andrews, Scotland draws participants from worldwide for intensive week-long training.
Governance & Structure
RSCDS is governed by a Management Board elected by members.
Branches operate semi-independently in their regions but follow RSCDS standards for technique and teaching.
The society maintains a teacher certification system with multiple levels (Preliminary, Full Certificate, Teaching Certificate).
Dance descriptions and music are published centrally to maintain consistency worldwide.
Competition Structure
RSCDS does not emphasize competition — the primary focus is social and recreational dancing.
Some branches and festivals include competitions for formation teams.
The Highland Dance competitive circuit (separate from RSCDS) covers solo competitive Highland dancing.
Annual festivals and balls serve as the community's gathering events rather than competitions.
Key Programs
Summer School
Annual intensive week at St. Andrews University with world-class instruction.
Teacher Certification
Multi-level teaching qualifications recognized worldwide.
Dance Publications
Numbered books containing standardized dance descriptions.
Branch Network
Local groups in 40+ countries hosting weekly classes and events.
Membership & Access
Individual membership through local branches or directly through headquarters. Benefits include access to published dances, teacher training, and the global community network.
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