Bundy Scottish Country Dancers

What is Scottish Country Dancing? It is the social dancing of Scotland, which has evolved from many traditions throughout the World by Scots and non-Scots alike.

Dancing has stirred the hearts of Scots since Bonnie Prince Charlie. Though you don't have to be a Scot to find your foot tapping along to the irresistable reels, jigs and strathspey music.

Scottish Country Dancing is more than"country" dancing. It is a dance for the ballroom, dance hall, village square or local inn. It has been popular amongst the gentry, royalty and the common folk for well over 300 years, though the Roman historian  Tacitus mentions Caledonians dancing round their swords when the legions invaded Scotland in 54BC. Man danced to celebrate  everything and anything, the coming of the rain (by tapping his foot), the coming of spring, the reaping of the harvest, to cure illness and before a hunt (as in the Eightsome Reel, where the circle is danced around its quarry).

In Scotland from 1500 to 1700 the Church of Scotland commanded that people should not dance. Dancing was considered an evil pastime that the virtuous would not engage in. In 1649 the Church of Scoltand's General Assembly passed an act prohibiting promiscuous dancing, defined as, a man dancing with a woman. But not all dancing could be stopped. Children were allowed to dance, and there is evidence that what the church was really prohibiting, was ritual dancing, what we know as Morris dancing. That was considered' Pagan and unacceptable. During this time in the Highlands and Western Islands, native reels were still danced.

By 1700 the church's influence lessened, and dancing began to appear. In 1723 an Assembly Hall opened in Edinburgh. The dances introduced were brought from below the border, dare I say England, where country dances had become popular with both the country folk and the gentry.

In the 1700's Scottish tunes became very popular and often the tune gave a dance it's name. Country Dancing and the native Highland Reels were adapted and Scottish Country Dancing as we know it today began to develop. The style of dance has the elegance of country dancing and the energy and step  precision of the "old" reels. Popular tempos were reels, jigs and hornpipes and in the mid 1700's the slower "strathspey reel" began to appear. Today many people still incorrectly believe Scottish Country Dancing came from France, as many French terms such as allemande, pas de basque, tournee are used. However the French did  influence the dancing as Mary Queen of Scots brought French manners and court style back to Scotland.

Shortly after 1800 country dancing became less popular in England, but remained very popular in Scotland. The social structure in Scotland, then typified by the laird of the manor and his staff, permitted the two classes to share common pastimes such as dancing. Dancing masters travelled throughout Scotland teaching classes and playing music to all levels of society.

By the beginning of the 20th century country dances were starting to dwindle. The Great War of 1914-18 changed the World forever, a generation had lost its men folk and the syncopated rhythms of jazz and ragtime were sweeping the country. After the war Mrs Ysobel Stewart (a girl guide leader) and Miss Jean Milligan (a physical education teacher) wanted to restore the old social dances of Scotland and their music. These two committed and energetic ladies researched and collected the dances from friends and family and, assisted by Petersons Publications published their first book. Then, after placing an advertisement in a Glasgow newspaper on 26th November 1923 the Scottish Country Dancing Society was formed. It's main objectives were to practise and preserve Country Dances as danced in Scotland, to collect old books and pictures illustrating Scottish Country Dancing and finally, to publish descriptions of Country Dances with diagrams and music in simple form, at a modest price.

Much propaganda was done in the first few years with demonstrations, and standards in technique and formations were set. By 1930 there were 16 branches and over 1000 members, 6 books had been published and the first affiliations accepted from Hong Kong, Portsmouth and Vancouver.

In 1946 Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth became Patron of the Society. Then in 1951 His Majesty King George VI gave his permission for the Society to be known as the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society. Then after in 1952 after becoming Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II graciously granted her Patronage to the Society.

Scottish Country Dancing can now be danced all over the World, currently with 170 Branches and a further 320 affiliated groups. Numbers are dropping, but in 2013 there were a total of 13100 members of the Society. Though there are many dancers that are not members of the Society, but enjoy the fun of dancing. Bundy had 18 members, only 3 belong to the Society.

Scottish Country Dancing has been adopted by people from almost every nation. The attraction of this form of dancing is due to a combination of many things. Firstly, the social aspect of the dancing with people of all ages participating. Secondly, there is the Scottish toe-tapping music. Thirdly the technique, when mastered, gives an ease and flow of movement throughout the dances. Lastly, the dances provide a natural, invigorating and healthy form of exercise for the mind and body.

The RSCDS, whilst attaching importance to good standards of dancing and teaching, has always been anxious to emphasise the social character of Scottish Country Dancing. Above all it should be enjoyable, offering plenty of opportunity for fun and friendship. The combination of a correctness of dancing technique with lively and spirited response to Country Dances was described by Dr Milligan (one of the founders), as "controlled abandon". Bundy dancers certainly live up to that!. The greatest object now for the RSCDS is to spread friendship and happiness wherever it goes. A recruitment drive for the RSCDS used the slogan "Get back in trim, it's more fun than the gym."

The present day Scottish Country Dancers are now the custodians of the dance and continue to preserve the traditions of social gathering for the whole community.

Why not come along and see what all the fuss is about.